- So, there is one thing I’m dying to discuss. Did anyone watch Sherlock last night? Because O.M.G. It was fantastic. I loved the way they took the Reichenbach Falls story and made it so. much. more. (Many apologies to Sir Arthur, but they made Moriarty an actual character? And stuff? Instead of a cardboard cutout villain? Yeah.) Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Scott acted the hell out of that final scene. And Martin Freeman. Dude made me cry. I am so glad season 3 has been commissioned. I just hate I have to wait so long to see it come back! And also, I really wish they did more than 3 episodes at a time!
Did you see it? What did you think?
Also, I really need to read the second half of my Sherlock collection.
- I’m reading Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein and it’s all Nymeth’s fault, and I’m sure she’s quite happy about. It is all kinds of excellent. I’m only about a fourth into it, but already I feel confident enough to say get your hands on it. You will not regret it.
- I’m listening to Peter & Max by Bill Willingham, his novel set in the Fables universe. This is my first time rereading it and, since it’s Wil Wheaton reading it and he’s my new favorite reader, it’s official now, I’m loving it even more than the first time I read it.
- Earlier this month I read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman for a readalong with Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings, for the Once Upon a Time challenge. I kind of cheated because I already finished the book! I just couldn’t help myself, as is usually the case with really good books. I couldn’t put it down.
The discussion starts today and here are my answers to the first round of questions.
1. What do you think of our two villains thus far, Messrs. Croup and Vandemar?
They are deliciously creepy, aren’t they? I instantly identified them as an extremely evil incarnation of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. They are positively nightmarish. I mean really nightmarish. I think I had a bad dream about them just the other night. I, um, got kind of wrapped up in the story….
2. Thus far we’ve had a small taste of London Below and of the people who inhabit it. What do you think of this world, this space that lies within or somewhat overlaps the space the “real world” occupies?
Gaiman managed to make it feel so… plausible…so completely believable, that there are people, and places and times that just slip from memory, disappear from sight, but are still so completely there. It felt real, to me.
3. What ideas or themes are you seeing in these first 5 chapters of Neverwhere? Are there any that you are particularly drawn to?
I messed myself up with this question, since I already finished the book. I can’t even remember what I was thinking in the first 5 chapters, except trying to identify characters and motifs from Alice in Wonderland.
I love Emily’s answer to this question, which was something I hadn’t really thought of before – how Gaiman turns the typical fairytale story a wee bit on it’s head.
4. We’ve met a number of secondary characters in the novel; who has grabbed your attention and why?Hunter. She is SO KICK ASS. I would love to know more of her story, the story before Neverwhere that is.
I also loved Old Bailey, with all his birds. I love how he is part of London Below, but lives above it all on the roof tops. He almost feels a little “God-like” in his perch and his help. He definitely feels like a friend you want to have in your pocket, despite his oddness. And the Marque de Carabas…what a delightful puzzle he is.
5. As you consider the Floating Market, what kind of things does your imagination conjure up? What would you hope to find, or what would you be looking for, at the Market?
I pictured a huge, magical, mysterious flea market type thing, where you can LITERALLY GET ANYTHING. I’d love to see the book section. I like Carl’s idea of being able to find lost worlds by authors I love.
6. If you haven’t already answered it in the questions above, what are your overall impressions of the book to this point?
I LOVED IT. One of my favorite Neil Gaiman books now and I’m kicking myself for taking so long to read it.
Definitely check out Carl’s answers to these questions. He loves Neverwhere and brings a LOT of insight to the novel. I love discussing novels like this; it really ups my enjoyment and appreciation of a great book. TTFN!
In many ways, Gaiman was ahead of the curve when it came to deconstructing fairy tales and making them something far scarier when he rebuilt them. Or maybe bringing out the darkness that's in there but we've glossed over in the Disney versions.
I think the concept of absolute dark is a compelling and unnerving one all at the same time.
I agree with your point about Gaiman bringing out the darkness that's there. The bright colors and singing birds of Disney make it easy to forget how dark these stories can be.
Hunter is awesome. She reminds me of a scantily-clad female comic book hero whom one wouldn't think was that intimidating until it's too late to save oneself.
I like that this book manages to create a world that's both dark and full of wonder at the same time. London Below is so vibrant and alive!
It's probably weird, but I pictured Grace Jones as Hunter. Like she was in the Conan movie. lol
OMG! What a great take on Old Bailey! Now that you mention it, he is such a benevolent presence and he seems to pop up when Richard needs a leg up … perhaps he 's a guardian angel, in disguise. Or just a likeable good old boy like the many we run into on a daily basis, if only we would stop and consider them!
I have had enough time to watch the new Sherlock. I am still on Season 1! Not enough hours in the day, I tell you. I am glad you are enjoying Code Name Verity!
I like Old Bailey too – I hadn't seen him as maybe being powerful, so it'll be interesting to see how he turns out. I think it's wonderful how Gaiman makes London Below feel as though if you just turned the right corner and were there at the right moment, you'd be there.
The whole Alice in Wonderland comparison is spot on: it is insanely dark and dangerous. However, I can't see Vandemar and Croup as Tweedledum and Tweedledee: they are way too scary!
Good stuff, Heatheroo. I used to have NEVERWHERE on my stacks, but it's been so long I might've passed it on to some other deserving reader. Hmmm.
I don't think I'd dare compare Vandemar and Croup to Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, I'd be scared they'd find out!
Good point!!! Might better retract that…. lol
No kidding!
Ah, the Marquis De Carabas, such multifaceted character, I'd love to meet him in another story sometime!
I liked your reference to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I think Vandemeer would be the Dum.
Hunter is incredible. Her character I remember the most clearly after so many years of reading it. I want to grow up to be like her.
I couldn't help myself either and finished the book, too! My first adult novel by Gaiman.. won't be my last.
I used the word "plausible" to describe London Below as well. Glad I wasn't the only one thinking Gaiman might know the truth about the London Metro that the rest of the world hasn't figured out yet.
I'm glad you liked so much that you couldn't stop reading it
Me too. Neil Gaiman is the master.
Okay, first: SHERLOCK!! I know!! It was amazing. I have really needed to talk to someone all day about it because that ending! And you know when I woke up in the middle of the night to turn on a fan because the room was stuffy I suddenly thought, "Molly. Molly helped him!" Because, you know, at the end there when we see him? And we don't know how he's there and not, you know, (trying really hard not to have spoilers in case someone else is actually reading this), and suddenly I remembered that scene with Molly and she totally helped him! I think! It was 5 am when I had this thought, after all, and my brain's not very reliable then.
Anyway . . . I really love Old Bailey and Hunter, too. I hope we get to see a lot more of them. And Croup and Vandemar ARE nightmarish, aren't they? They really creep me out.
LOL! Yes, Molly HAD to have helped him. I've read a few speculative blog posts on it today, but I'm just hoping they show how he did it in season 3. I MUST KNOW. Poor, poor John. And YAY Molly!! Love her. Love Sherlock. OMG I think I have to go watch it again.
I love Molly! That first scene with her, when she tells Sherlock he looks sad? My heart completely melted. I am definitely going to have to watch this season again (especially since I missed the first show because stinkin' PBS wouldn't come in!). Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to have found someone else who watched it yesterday. It was killin' me keeping it inside!
!!!! You loved Neverwhere!!!! Yay
One of my favorite books!! The audio read by Gaiman is FANTASTIC by the way!! Also, I really need to see this second season of Sherlock!! I've only seen a bootleg of the first episode and I had major issues with it even though I still really liked it and kinda hated myself for liking it, lol.
I loved your comparison of the two villains to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. That is perfect. This is my first Gaiman book and I'm loving it. Now I understand why do many people have suggested his works to me. I look forward to reading the rest of it.
Yes, Hunter is fantastic. I would love to see her as the protagonist of her own book. I'd snap that one up.
I was convinced (and scared) that she would succumb to the notorious Varney, especially after the sad death of Anasthesia. So happy Hunter turned him on his head.
So Sherlock!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it! I am so addicted and I feel like they are so clever in keeping us addicts addicted with just dosing it out to us a 3 episodes every year. So mean but oh so clever.
I'm doing the read-a-long too and just posted. Hahaha I love your Tweedle Dum/Dee reference. I was thinking Laurel and Hardy. Too funny. Hunter was my favorite too! I love your thought in having a book devoted to her. She's awesome.
I don't know how I will be able to stand waiting until next fall for more SHERLOCK (which sounds like the case). I NEED MORE NOW.