Mare Somniorum

It was one of those things, I’d decided to go on a binge of Gaiman and didn’t quite know where to start. I’d read “American Gods” and his Sandman-related works and I had liked both. However, when I picked up “Neverwhere” I had no idea at all what I was getting into. I didn’t know the story, I didn’t know the people and I realize I didn’t know Gaiman.

In hindsight, which is always 20/20, I should have seen a fastball coming. It should have been apparent that hey, this is different. And I mean different, not as in “oh look, names are replaced and the goose became a dog”, it is completely out of, well, neverwhere.

The story is simple, a normal man runs into a girl who’s world isn’t quite what he’s used to. The idea that the girl is named “Door” is just another one of those details that makes you boggle a little to begin with. After the first quarter of the book though, this tale is spun so well you’re dizzy with all the magic. The writing is beyond eloquent — it is mind-boggling in its detail. “Neverwhere” is one of the best written pieces of text I have ever read. Gaiman comes out blazing with his dictionary on fire — without ever giving the impression that he’s showing off. It’s never inappropriate, never out of place, never wrong. It’s all good, all the time.

Another bit that does make this truly different is that it’s a short book, it’s not a short story but it’s not that far off. It is however just long enough. The story is told from page to page and doesn’t seek to actually tell more than it does.

The plot is great, the characters are outstanding and the writing is excellence defined. Pick up “Neverwhere”, sit down, enjoy. The next hours of your life will be some of your best.