{Review}: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Title: Neverwhere

Author: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Perennial (1996)

ISBN: 9780060557812

Source: Library

Description from GoodReads:

When Richard Mayhew stops one day to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk, his life is forever altered, for he finds himself propelled into an alternate reality that exists in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere.  

Review:

This is the Spring 2011 selection for One Book, One Chicago.

I watched the movie Coraline and was scared at idea of buttons in some the character's eyes.  (Yes, I was a little uneasy with a children's movie.) So, when I picked up Neverwhere I was a little hesitant on starting it.

I was glad that I finally got to reading it. It was different from what I usually read. Richard Mayhew, the main character in this book, falls through the cracks and discovers the world of London Below. A world where magic and monsters exist, where rats are respected. A world that helps Richard discover himself once he accepts it.

I found the character to be the best part of this book, especially Mister Croup and Mister Vandemar. I simply loved their conversations. On the other hand, the main characters, Door, the girl he finds on the floor, and Richard failed to win a place in my list of great characters. I never understood why Door liked Richard or what she thought as things where happening. Richard, on the other hand, was too whiny and spent most of the book confused.

The story felt empty to me. I don't know how to explain it. There was everything, a villain, conflict, character's self discovery, battle with a monster, and betrayal but it just didn't seem complete to me. It was probably because it was missing a love story. I know, that it's very dumb reason but that's the only thing I can think of for why it is not one of my favorite. What can I say, I enjoy my love stories.

So, overall did I love this book? No, not really, but I did enjoy it. I recommend this book to those who enjoyed Coraline and enjoy reading dark urban fantasy stories and want to read about a world where they can escape if they feel they do not belong in their city above.

*I just learned that the book is based on a BBC miniseries. It definitely sounds more like a great miniseries than a great book.

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