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Neverwhere and Beyond: The Literate Housewife Discovers Neil Gaiman
Until I made plans to attend the National Book Festival in 2008, I had never heard of Neil Gaiman. Well, that’s not exactly true. Emily, one of the girls’ baby sitters read them The Day I Swapped My Dad for a Goldfish before then, but that doesn’t count because I wasn’t paying attention. Sometimes the damnedest things happen when you’re not paying attention. Others like Jena and my husband were so excited that he was going to be there. In fact, Jena ordered me a copy of Neverwhere and herself a copy of American Gods in hopes of getting his autograph. I was excited to get his autograph because Jena was excited. Then I discovered something about Neil Gaiman that made me freak out ever so little. Ever since I became a Tori Amos fan, I wondered who “Neil” was. Thanks to the power of the Internet and Wikipedia, I found out that Neil Gaiman is THE NEIL! If I remember correctly, I discovered this the night before the festival because I was hoping to have something intelligent to say to him. It took me quite some time and an odd look from Danny to veto the idea of bringing my liner notes from “Little Earthquakes” so he could sign them. I’m shameless, I know.
Neil was at the festival promoting his Newberry Award winning novel, The Graveyard Book. He was speaking when Danny and I arrived on site. We walked near that tent, but we really couldn’t hear what he was saying. Besides, why would I be all that interested in a children’s book anyway? Yeah, the damnedest things happen when you make assumptions, too. Honestly though, I was very intent on getting to the Fiction tent for Philippa Gregory. Regular readers will not be surprised by that one bit…
After listening to Philippa, which I loved, Danny and I headed over to the book signing area. Being a NBF virgin, I happily assumed I’d get most of the autographs I wanted, Neil’s, Salman Rushdie’s, James McBride’s, and Philippa’s with little problem. I was wrong. Very wrong. We first went to Neil’s line and I was shocked by how many snakes there were in his queue. He had initially agreed to signing books for an hour or an hour and a half. Because there were so many people wanting to meet him, he agreed to extend his book signing until the end of the festival. Even though Danny waited in his line while I got smart and got in Philippa’s, we never did get his autograph. I was impressed by him as a person all the same.
Photo by Philippe Matsas
Later on, our beloved Dewey passed away. She was a huge Neil Gaiman fan. I’m not sure how it came about, but those involved with the movie “Coraline” sent Dewey’s family a box of memorabilia. When her husband posted about the box, he mentioned that he wished that Neil knew how much his wife loved him. I wish I could link to this, but her site is no longer available. Neil left a comment on his post and I will never forget that. It was then that I decided I needed to make reading his work a priority. So many people think he’s a brilliant writer. From the little I have observed of him, I think he’s a wonderful human being.
After learning that his birthday is in November (11/10 to be exact), I decided that I would dedicate November of 2009 to his work. Since I had never read any of his work, I could easily devote an entire month to reading his novels. I originally planned to post only Neil Gaiman-specific content this month, but I’m not sure how practical that is. “Neverwhere and Beyond” will, however, most definitely be my theme for the month. I will be reading and reviewing the following books:
The Graveyard Book (finished early)
Neverwhere
American Gods
Fragile Things
Stardust
Coraline
I will also be reading the following to my daughters this month:
Crazy Hair
The Dangerous Alphabet
The Day I Swapped My Dad for a Goldfish
Blueberry Girl
I cannot tell you how excited I am now that November is here! Tuesday I’ll post a little more about how others are getting involved in Neverwhere and Beyond and, of course, prizes. If you haven’t already gotten to know this author, why not join me?
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To enter for a chance to win these prizes, go to the Neverwhere and Beyond page and use the following code: N&B-I.
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November 2, 2009 | Filed Under Books, Neverwhere and Beyond
Comments
27 Responses to “Neverwhere and Beyond: The Literate Housewife Discovers Neil Gaiman”
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A Bookshelf Monstrosity
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 8:36 am1Reply to this comment.I’m looking forward to this month’s discoveries. What an excellent idea! I’ve only read a couple of Gaiman’s children’s books; many of his novels are on my to-read list.
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Zia
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 am2Reply to this comment.Oh I will be watching your blog closely. I am a huge Gaiman fan! I’ve read all the books on your list and I’m interest in seeing what you think of them.
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Kathy
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am3Reply to this comment.What a great way to celebrate November! You should throw in a viewing of Coraline this month while you’re at it. I got Neil Gaiman’s autograph at BEA and he seemed very nice!
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softdrink
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm4Reply to this comment.Oooh, I can’t wait to read your thoughts on Gaiman! I haven’t read all of his books, but I’m a big fan of American Gods and The Graveyard Book. And Coraline.
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Chris
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm5Reply to this comment.Great idea, I’ve never read Neil Gaiman myself (even though I chuckle at his name, childish as I am…). I’ll have to remedy that soon.
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Tracie Yule
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm6Reply to this comment.I’ve only read one of Neil’s books and that is Coraline. I loved, loved, loved Coraline. I don’t know why I haven’t picked up more of his books, but I think I should start.
I think that this is a wonderful idea and I’m looking forward to reading your reviews.
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Kathleen
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm7Reply to this comment.Oh I am so excited to read American Gods now. I have heard and read so much about Neil Gaiman in the book blogging community and your write up makes me even more excited! I can’t wait to hear what you think. I was so diappointed when my bookstore didn’t have a copy of The Graveyard Book.
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Laura's Reviews
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm8Reply to this comment.I have heard all sorts of great things about Neil Gaiman’s work, but I have yet to discover it for myself. I look forward to reading your reviews and hopefully reading one of his books soon as well!
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Sandy
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm9Reply to this comment.I read The Graveyard Book to the kids and we all loved it, but haven’t read anything else. It’s not that I don’t want to, but you know how it goes. I love that story about Dewey’s family and Gaiman. That totally warms my heart to the guy.
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Valerie
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm10Reply to this comment.I have heard so much about Neil Gaiman, by various book bloggers. But have yet to read anything by him. I’ll keep my yes open for him; and hopefully will have time this month to read something by him!
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Amy @ Passages to the Past
Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm11Reply to this comment.I too heard of Neil from Tori Amos songs! I’ve read American Gods, Neverwhere and Stardust and have many more of his on my shelf. He is simply wonderful and I wish I had such an imagination!
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Carrie K.
Posted: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 am12Reply to this comment.With NaNoWriMo, I can’t commit to joining you, but I look forward to reading your posts! We’re huge Gaiman fans in our house – The Graveyard Book and Coraline are two of our favorite read-alouds ever. I haven’t read everything he’s written, yet, but loved Neverwhere and Anansi Boys and Fragile Things.
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Emily
Posted: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm13Reply to this comment.Yippee!!!
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Literate Housewife
Posted: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm14Reply to this comment.I am most definitely reading and watching Coraline this month. The movie will also be one of the prizes, but I’m getting ahead of myself here… I’m hoping to have my next post up later today, but it may be tomorrow. Pesky conference…
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Dominique
Posted: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 pm15Reply to this comment.I hope you enjoy his works! I’ve read The Graveyard Book, Coraline, Good Omens (co-written with Terry Prachett) and Neverwhere. Of those Coraline and Good Omens are definitely my faves. Happy reading!
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nat @book, line, and sinker
Posted: Nov 3rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm16Reply to this comment.i’ve been hearing about neil gaiman ever since i started book blogging…but have yet to read him! your post pushed me over the edge. i’m adding him to my library list right NOW. literally. thanks!
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Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
Posted: Nov 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm17Reply to this comment.I’m so far behind in blog reading…I’m just now reading this and noting that you’ve jumped on the Neil themed month. I hope I can find time to include some this month too, but with nanowrimo…we’ll have to play that by ear!
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Veens
Posted: Nov 5th, 2009 at 3:02 am18Reply to this comment.oh MY! Stardust was written by Neil Gaiman! Where am I?!! I saw the movie and just LOVED IT!
I seriously need to erad more of his work.Advanced Happy Birthday to Neil… Hope you have a terrific year ahead
And yes I read that post at Dewey’s blog! I felt really good and touched too!
YAY for Neil!
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Fyrefly
Posted: Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:53 pm19Reply to this comment.Oh, that sounds like fun! I hope you enjoy it! I don’t always *LOVE* Gaiman’s books, but I do reliably enjoy them – he’s a fantastic storyteller. If you get the chance, I’d recommend listening to one of his audiobooks… he reads his own work for several of the books (I’ve listened to Fragile Things and Stardust), and he’s a great narrator, too.
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Lisa
Posted: Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:46 pm20Reply to this comment.I listened to Fragile Things on CD, which Gaiman read and discussed why he had written each of the stories. I wanted to like it, I really did, after hearing so many great things about Gaiman. But I just felt sort of ‘meh’ about it. Some stories were very good, some I didn’t like at all. So I’m eager to see if I should give him another chance.
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Rebecca
Posted: Nov 8th, 2009 at 7:57 am21Reply to this comment.I have not read Neil Gaiman yet myself. I don’t often read this genre. But the more people talk about him the more I want to try his books out! Nice review.
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pingback:
Posted: Nov 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm22TSS ~ Neverwhere and Beyond Prizes : literatehousewife.comReply to this comment.[...] finally and truly back in the swing of things and getting geared up for this month’s theme: Neverwhere and Beyond. I announced it on Monday and will have a full week of coverage next week. I promised a post [...]
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Donna S
Posted: Nov 9th, 2009 at 12:29 am23Reply to this comment.Great idea for a month. I love his books. They really are great reading.
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Michael Herdegen
Posted: Nov 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm24Reply to this comment.cant wait, his work sounds intresting.
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Paem R.
Posted: Nov 23rd, 2009 at 10:11 am25Reply to this comment.I’ve never read any of his work but it sounds fantastic. Love the titles! Look forward to reading more of your reviews. Glad to hear he seems to be a great person too – there’s nothing worse than finding out that people you respect and admire are pompous a**es…
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Piroska
Posted: Nov 27th, 2009 at 11:08 pm26Reply to this comment.I’ve only just recently discovered him. Now, I am even more impressed by him.
Thank you! -
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Posted: Jan 7th, 2010 at 12:24 pm27Book Review: Skinners, Book 2: Howling Legion by Marcus Pelegrimas | Lair of the Green KnightReply to this comment.[...] Neverwhere and Beyond: The Literate Housewife Discovers Neil Gaiman (literatehousewife.com) [...]
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