Neverwhere

Those of you with long memories may recall a BBC2 series in the mid-90's called Neverwhere. This was Neil Gaiman's first foray into television and the series became the basis for this novel. Due to budgetary constraints the BBC had to jettison various scenes and ideas which Gaiman then put back into the novel. He then wrote an amended version for the American market who might be less familiar with London's landmarks. However he was satisfied with neither and so this version contains his preferred text and what a thing of beauty and wonder it is. The breadth of imagination on offer here is marvellous.

Richard Mayhew, an ordinary young man working in the City, becomes embroiled in the strange world of London Below after he stopped to help and injured girl called Door. Thus he meets such characters as the Marquis de Carabas, Old Bailey, Hunter and various other denizens of the underworld including the extremely dangerous Croup and Vandemar. Mayhew's life is turned upside down as he helps Door journey to the Angel Islington after her family is murdered. In the end he finds out that what he thinks he wants isn't necessarily what he thought.

This is a real page turner, well written and full of ideas as Gaiman weaves a rich alternative world that co-exists with the London we know. Highly recommended.

Frightening modern fairy tale.

This is an entertaining novel. It's your basic Gaiman - fascinating world with fantastic imagery, creepy villains, fast-paced plotting and a fair amount of chuckles. It's worth reading if you like dark-ish alternate reality fantasy.