Well, this book may not be the fast-paced adventure with intense action, but it is the most heady and witty version of Armageddon that a person can see or read! This lively, cheeky, caustic, and absurd account that makes a "bang" with the addition of the immortal Pratchett's touch will remain unforgettable to me.

"You've got to admit, though, it was a bit of a farce," said Crowley. "I mean, you show the Tree and say 'Do Not Touch' in big letters. It's not exactly discreet, is it? I mean, why not put it on top of a high hill, or somewhere really far away? It makes you wonder what He has in mind."

Quote by Crowley (The Angel who didn't exactly Fall, but sort of Sidled Off towards the Downstairs) hero of the book, p. 11.

2015 F.A.B. Bookclub pick # I.❤️. F.A.B.

This book was chosen as the pick for the 2015 F.A.B. Bookclub. However, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. I had high hopes when I started reading it, but as I progressed, I found that it didn't quite capture my interest.

Maybe it was the writing style, or perhaps the story didn't resonate with me on a personal level. Whatever the reason, I had to make the decision to DNF (Did Not Finish) this book.

It's important to remember that everyone has different tastes when it comes to books, and just because this one wasn't a hit for me doesn't mean it won't be for others. I'm sure there are many people out there who will love this book and find it to be a great read.

Overall, while this particular book wasn't a success for me, I'm still looking forward to exploring other titles and finding those hidden gems that will truly capture my imagination.

I have just completed my re-read of this amazing work through the audiobook format, and it was an absolute delight! The use of a full cast of voice actors, including the talented Gaiman himself, added an extra layer of magic to the story. It was truly a captivating experience that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Listening to the audiobook, I was able to fully immerse myself in the world that Gaiman has created. The voices brought the characters to life in a way that I had not expected, and I found myself completely engaged from start to finish. I cannot imagine anyone not thoroughly enjoying this audio masterpiece.

My rating for this book remains the same as when I originally read it: ALL THE STARS! It is a work of art that will continue to be cherished by readers and listeners alike for years to come.

This book has been recommended to me for years. Everyone has been telling me how funny it is and how it would surely make me burst into laughter.

However, my experience with it was quite different. Nope. I didn't laugh. I didn't smile. I didn't even blow air through my nose. Not once.

I found the story rather dull and uninteresting. It felt like a kid story that lacked the depth and sophistication I was hoping for. Maybe I don't get the British humour, although I usually like it. But in this case, I just couldn't get myself to care.

I eventually continued reading it as an audiobook, otherwise I wouldn't have finished it. The narrator's voice added a bit of life to the story, but it still wasn't enough to make me enjoy it.

In conclusion, I was disappointed with this book. It didn't live up to the hype and didn't meet my expectations. Maybe it's just not for me. Meh.

2019 UPDATE The miniseries on Amazon Prime has received an impressive 4.5 out of five stars, and it comes with a strong encouragement to go and watch it. Seriously, what's all the fuss about the ending?! Episode 6 concluded perfectly, with the most charming touch of smarm and some truly hilarious moments. These were indeed wise choices. However, the series does have one minor drawback. We could have used a bit more of "Them", but really! There are child labor laws and all that to consider. Episode 3's epic cold open, by itself, is worth subscribing to Prime for. And Episode 4's delight was Gabriel's red red robin bob-bob-bobbin' along. That was truly lovely.



All in all, it's a delicious Queen of Puddings worthy of Mary Berry herself.





Book Rating: the least annoyed three stars I can muster out of five



The Publisher Says: According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.



So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to the Divine Plan. Except for a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived among Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—they are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.



And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...



My Review: The Son of Satan is on his way, and that's the way it's going to be. Except that the angel who's supposed to defeat him and the demon who's supposed to ensure his victory have assimilated into mainstream society and don't really feel like giving up their comfortable jobs. HQ on both sides isn't having any of it, and thus, hijinks ensue.



I acquired this book at "New York Is Book Country" in 1990. Workman had a major push to make the book a success. Their booth that year had a bunch of editorial assistants and editors all dressed up in a funny way, waving signs about the world ending tomorrow, passing out fliers promoting the book, and yelling provocative predictions drawn from the book at passers-by. I adored it as street theater and bought the book because I was impressed by their energetic promotion of it.



I chuckled several times, laughed out loud once, and then put the book away from 1990 until it was lost in the move in 2008. And never once in those 18 years did I remember that I owned it or had read it. I found the above paragraph and was mildly surprised that I'd bothered to review such a slight and unimportant book.



But credit should be given where it's due: The fact that Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, retired when penicillin was introduced and was replaced by Pollution made me laugh and laugh hard. I'm still giggling more than 22 years later.

Starts out fantastic, but bogs down as the book goes along

I'm rather disappointed here. It's not simply because I've just read a bad book. Instead, it's because I didn't like this book nearly as much as almost everyone else who has ever read it. This book was recommended to me so highly. Given that I am an enormous Terry Pratchett fan, I assumed this would be a 5/5 for me. After about an hour of reading, I was in love with the characters. I felt like this was turning out to be one of the most entertaining books I've ever read.

The dynamic between the demon and the angel was truly wonderful. The idea that they have a friendship and can play off each other so well was something I could have read the entire book about. But unfortunately, partway through the book, the main storyline swaps to a young anti-christ character and his group of friends. And I couldn't have been more bored by them.

The ending picks up a little bit as they introduce some truly wonderful characters - the four horsemen of the apocalypse. But they didn't feature for very much time. And I again wished they had more screentime.

I understand why people love this book. But sadly, it's just not even close to my favorite Pratchett book.

Did I read the same book as everyone else?

This is a question that has crossed my mind more than once. When we all pick up the same book, we might assume that we are experiencing the exact same thing. However, I wonder if that's really the case.

Each of us has our own unique perspective, background, and set of experiences. These factors can influence how we interpret the words on the page, the characters we encounter, and the overall message of the story.

Maybe someone else will be deeply moved by a particular scene that I simply breeze over. Or perhaps I'll notice a detail that others completely miss.

So, while we may all be reading the same book, the way we experience it can be vastly different. This makes me appreciate the diversity of interpretations and the richness that comes from sharing our thoughts and insights with others.

It also makes me realize that there is no one "right" way to read a book. We can all find something valuable and meaningful in the same story, even if our interpretations vary.

Next time I pick up a book, I'll keep this in mind and be open to the possibility that my reading experience may be different from everyone else's.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is truly an outstanding piece of work. It is the very first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by either of these talented authors, and I am most definitely looking forward to delving into more of their literary creations.

Good Omens tells the story of a good(ISH) angel, a demon, and a whole host of other holy and unholy alliances. Oh, and let's not forget the impending Armageddon! The plot is filled with quick wit, fun, and is absolutely hilarious. It's the kind of book that you find yourself reading in a waiting room, where the silence is suddenly broken by your uncontrollable giggles, leaving everyone around you looking at you as if you've gone crazy.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you're in need of a quick giggle. It's a lighthearted and entertaining read that will surely brighten up your day. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of Good Omens and let the laughter begin!

RESEÑA TERCERA LECTURA :

Crowley : We are doomed.
Azirafel : Well then... welcome to the END TIMES.

When I say that I love this book, it feels like an understatement. I believe it has become one of my favorite reads and a cult book for my closest group of friends.

It's true that this book is not the best I've had in my hands, which is why it gets four stars instead of five. However, on a personal level, I have an enormous affection for it. Moreover, it was written by two authors I love: Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

To review this book, I have to say three things:

First of all, Good Omens is a book that you either love or hate. There is no middle ground. The authors play with satire and the absurd, and nothing and no one is exempt from mockery. From tax inspectors, through the English, Spanish, Germans, to the concepts of Good and Evil.

"The English, being a coarse and indolent race, were not enthusiastic about burning women like other European peoples. In Germany, bonfires were regularly erected and burned with a regularly Teutonic rigor. Even the pious Scots, engaged throughout history in a prolonged battle with their enemies the Scots, managed to set up some fires and amuse themselves on the long winter afternoons. But the English just couldn't quite bring themselves to do it."

Secondly, you can't read this book quickly. You have to savor it. It's not that it's difficult or dense; on the contrary, but each scene has many intrinsic jokes, some quite good, that a hasty reader may overlook. That's what happened to me the first time I read it. I finished the book in a short time and didn't enjoy it at all.

Third and finally, you can't choose a side. Neither angels nor demons. Neither Good nor Evil. Why? you may ask. Both Crowley and Azirafel are such good characters that you can't choose one of them.

Crowley is a demon. Shortly after meeting him, the authors describe him like this: "Crowley had dark hair and good cheekbones, wore snakeskin shoes and could do amazing things with his tongue. And when he let his guard down, he had a tendency to hiss. He didn't blink much either." Moreover, he has an old car where Queen always plays. Who wouldn't want a car like that?

Azirafel is an angel and is everything the opposite of Crowley (as he should be). "Many people, upon meeting Azirafel, had three impressions: that he was English, that he was intelligent, and that he lost more oil than a third-hand car. Two were false impressions: Heaven is not in England, no matter what certain poets may think, and angels have no sex unless they want to make a tremendous effort. But he was intelligent."

Now imagine that the angel and the demon ally to stop the apocalypse because it's better to be on Earth than to live in Heaven/Hell, and also because there's no sushi or good music.

This doesn't mean that the rest of the secondary characters aren't as good as our duo. On the contrary, without spoiling the story, we can say that they are quite colorful. Some may appeal to you more or less, but they all have the touch of Mr. Gaiman and Mr. Pratchett.

"He thought about all the smells he would lose. In hell, there would be no smells, apart from sulfur. While on Earth... some... well, the thing is that there were no dogs in hell either."

Likewise, the story in general may seem a bit short, but as I said before, the writing and the background are the best it has. The Amazon series covers some of the book's unknowns a little more, but before you delve into the television version, I recommend the book. The same goes for American Gods.

In general, if it's the first time you see this book, take a look at the trailer and the book's synopsis. If you don't like it, it doesn't matter, there will be another book, but if it catches your attention. You're taking too long to start, especially if you're a fan of Terry and Neil Gaiman.

RESEÑA SEGUNDA LECTURA:

The first time I read this novel (probably three years ago), I didn't get the charm of either the characters or the world. I even wanted to leave this book and start a different one. Perhaps this was due to the fact that at that time, I hadn't quite "got" Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett, so to speak. However, it was after finishing this novel that I began to be interested in the rest of their publications, and the truth is that I didn't waste my time.

This is the second time I've read this novel written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, and the truth is that I've seen it with different eyes, as if it were a different novel. From the first page, I was already laughing. There wasn't a page where I didn't underline or put a post-it or pass fragments to my friends. I didn't want to finish it. In fact, I wanted to know more about the future of Azirafel, Crowley, and the rest of the characters.

Now that I've finished it, I can say with total certainty that Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett form an excellent duo and that they should have written more books together because truly, everything they would have published would have been worth it.

Two brilliant minds, Pratchett and Gaiman, joined forces and crafted one of the most uproariously funny, delightfully original, and thoroughly enjoyable reads I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. Their writing styles mesh seamlessly, resulting in a work that has its own unique charm. It's truly remarkable that there are lines in the book that neither Neil nor Terry can recall penning, as if the book has a life of its own.

Never before has the end of the world been so amusing and relatable. Moreover, the partnership between an angel and a demon to prevent it is a sure-fire formula for a heavenly comedy. This book is a literary gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone with a passion for good literature. It is filled with moments of hilarity, as well as heartwarming scenes that will tug at your emotions. The creativity and surprises are abundant, leaving you constantly on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what strange and wonderful thing awaits you on the next page.

My only disappointment is that this is the sole collaboration between these two remarkable authors that we will have the honor of reading. Nevertheless, it stands as a testament to their extraordinary talent and the magic that can be created when two great minds come together.

This is the third time I've delved into this remarkable book.

Previously, I read this edition, then listened to the BBC radio dramatisation, and now I'm alternating between the audiobook and the hardcover.

By the way, this is my cherished print book edition, the old Gollancz one, and I'm truly smitten with its quirky design.

The image beneath the book showcases the two pin badges that I couldn't resist purchasing some time ago.

The motivation behind this reread is that Amazon Prime is set to air the adaptation in 2019 (though the exact date remains undisclosed). I've been closely following and providing detailed information about the production here: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...

Good Omens tells the tale of the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley, who are both living on Earth and thoroughly enjoying their existence. One day, Crowley is entrusted with the Antichrist as a baby and tasked with delivering him to a convent so he can be placed with a human family. However, a hilarious mix-up occurs during the switch.

Eleven years later, Armageddon looms large, but neither Crowley nor Aziraphale desires the end of the world. After all, that would mean no more feeding the ducks in the park, no more lunch dates at the Ritz, no more charming little bookshops, or cool Bentleys.

Then there's the Antichrist himself, now 11 years old and far from what Heaven or Hell had envisioned.

Thus begins a hilarious adventure in the English countryside, involving the Four Horsepersons, some bikers, children, and a very special hellhound.

For those eager to catch a glimpse of what this might look like, here's the trailer for the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZSXl...

Seriously, what Pratchett and Gaiman have crafted here is not just a great collaboration; it reads as if it were the work of a single hand, highlighting the remarkable similarity between the two men and the seamless synergy of their minds. Some of the creations in this book are closely linked to the authors' other works, giving me a sense of coming home whenever I immerse myself in the story.

The simple yet thrilling scenery, painted with poignant humour and sharp social and political criticism that delicately and tactfully shines through each page, is something to be treasured, a truly special find that one doesn't encounter often. *sighs contently*

-------------------

Original review:

A wonderful collaboration between two of the funniest men on the planet: Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett!

If you thought one of them was funny, you can only imagine the kind of bellyache I've endured from laughing almost uncontrollably at all the jests, jokes, and silliness from both of them!

The story is quite straightforward: as foretold in various prophecies, Armageddon is just around the corner. But an angel and a demon have grown rather fond of their lives on Earth, so they have other plans (such as feeding the ducks).

The characters are all elaborate, quirky, and original; the writing is not only funny but also conveys important messages in a light-hearted way, and all the chapters flow together seamlessly (which is no small feat in any collaboration).

It was a marvellous journey to read this book, which I began when the BBC radio dramatisation was advertised last December. Now that I've finished the book and, simultaneously, listened to the radio series, I must say that the wonderful cast assembled for it fits their roles perfectly! Well done to all! I highly recommend that readers of the book also listen to the BBC dramatisation!

P.S.: This is my hardcover edition. Way back when, I had the extreme good fortune of coincidentally obtaining what I consider to be the version with the best/funniest cover design.

This is hands down the worst book I've read this year.

I guess Neil Gaiman is simply not my cup of tea. This is the second book of his that I've read, and unfortunately, I disliked it just as much as the first one. I almost gave up on it (dnfed) but for some reason that I can't even recall now, I persevered.

I'm aware that many of you out there absolutely love this book, and I don't hold that against you. But for me, it really sucks. I do, however, love this quote because it's so realistic: \\n  \\"Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.\\"\\n

The humour in this book was off for about 90% of the time. It just wasn't funny at all. The plot, on the other hand, had great potential. It was amazing in concept, but it was poorly depicted.

The writing was by far the worst aspect of this book. It was disjointed and scattered, making it difficult to follow. I've read books with more than fifteen points of view (POVs) that managed to do an excellent job of presenting the story. In this one, none of the characters seemed to have anything in common. I thought and hoped that there would be some sort of connection among them by the ending, but I was sorely disappointed. Only a few of the characters met later on.

I have no idea what to make of the characters. I neither hate nor like them. Azaraphale and Crowley weren't too bad, but I just wish they had more of a backstory to make them more interesting and engaging.