I knew from the very first page that this book simply wouldn't work for me.

I persevered and slogged through approximately half of it, but eventually gave up. I lost the thread of the plot long before that due to my complete lack of interest in everything this book represents. It all felt so forced, as if the themes and ideas were forcefully shoved into the narrative, and the plot had to contort and adapt to accommodate them. It was striving too hard to be funny rather than naturally eliciting laughter.

Life is far too short to waste on books that I don't enjoy. And I could never find any enjoyment in this one. It felt as if it was penned by two guys who had just graduated from school and were eager to unleash their ideas into a creative project that could potentially be a stroke of genius or a real drudgery depending on the reader's tastes. Sadly, for me, it just sent me right to sleep. I was relieved to stop when I did.

I believe my main issue is that I've witnessed how much better each writer is capable of. I've read Gaiman at his absolute best. I've been inspired by his words and have discovered a part of myself within his stories. I've laughed out loud with Pratchett and have savored the sharpness of his wit. This book, however, felt like a mere shadow of what each writer can achieve; it holds only a faint suggestion of the brilliance and creative spark that each would effortlessly wield at their fingertips. It was just juvenile and didn't meet my expectations.

Maybe I approached it with the wrong mind-set. Maybe I expected too much or perhaps the humor simply went over my head. In any case, this one just isn't for me.

Armageddon. The End of the World. The Antichrist's tread spans nations and Hell follows in his wake.

Few things are as absurdly comical as the epic clash between the forces of the Antichrist and Heaven's Legions, resulting in the end of the world as Satan finally triumphs (or is it the other way around? The problem with reading a lot of fiction is that sometimes the stories get crossed). Well, it seems the comedic aspect of Armageddon is on a definite upswing, since it is brought to you by the twisted humor of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

Good Omens tells the tale of the coming of the Antichrist, but in the hands of these two literary masters, it becomes a hilarious farce with hints of Douglas Adams and Monty Python (throw in some Thomas Pynchon for you classy types). The two main characters, Aziraphale (the Angel) and Crowley (the demon), steal the show. It is rather amusing that their millennia-long conflict has made them rather close, if not friends.

Throw in a few Satanic Nuns, Lords of Hell, Seraphim and Elohim, the Four Horsemen, and some snotty kids, and the end result is Good Omens. It is a funny version of events that, while not making me laugh out loud (few books can manage that rare feat), did draw its fair share of smirks and the occasional amused chuckle.

There are some characters that I absolutely adored - Aziraphale and Crowley are both outstanding. The Witchfinder Shadwell and the Four Horsemen were all excellent creations. I even liked Adam, until the end. Some of the other characters, however, just didn't make that much of an impression on me - I didn't care for any of the other children that make up Adam's foursome. The other characters are of varying degrees of likeability.

But there is so much more here than just characters. The writing is imaginative and shows true creativity. It is clever and funny. The subtle rude remarks about England are highly entertaining. While I don't often seek purely humorous books, the tandem of writers made it very difficult to pass up. I'm glad I didn't. If you're a fan of either author's humor or just enjoy a good, funny End of Days story in the vein of a Douglas Adams, then I highly recommend this book. Sit down, read it, and laugh.

But do take a moment to think about the subtle digs at religion and the rather obtuse and convoluted explanations in the Bible regarding a whole host of things, from Original Sin and Free Will to Armageddon and the Rapture. The essential arguments, while presented in a humorous style, do raise many questions about the original source material, mostly along the lines of "What the hell were they thinking?" And that is perhaps the greatest contribution of this book, beyond just being an amusing read.

Re-read on 12/21/18:

Winter Solstice! Well, some reads and re-reads are perfect for anniversaries and such. And yes, I was pressured to re-read this because I was told I was crazy for only giving it a three-star rating. And look! It's about to be on TV! So I agreed to give it another go.

I'm adding a half star.

Why only that? Because generally, all the things I love most about Pratchett are done better in his Discworld books. And Gaiman's unique use of mythology and dark humor was always more detailed and profound in his own works. Together, Pratchett's humor seems like a bunch of talking heads making witty remarks, and Gaiman's depth gets lost in the story.

That's not to say I didn't find large parts of this book awesome. I did. The horsemen, the celestial buddies, and even Anathema and Adam were quite charming at times. Unfortunately, there's still something about this book that didn't quite click with me. You'd think that reading it 5 years apart might have changed my perspective. Or that reading all of Pratchett's works a second time and some of Gaiman's twice as well might have made me more receptive to this one... but no. I'm just not a big fan of pastoral fantasies.

Thankfully, this is a great book for almost everyone else! I'm pretty sure I'm going to love the TV version, regardless.

Original Review:

It was funny enough for a novel about 11-year-old antichrists and barroom jokes about a devil and an angel. However, I must be a bit harsh and say that I loved practically everything else by both of these authors a lot more than this one novel they wrote together. The characters weren't bad, but they were just elaborate set-ups for the humorous device. On the other hand, I did really like Anathema Device. I'm not disappointed in reading it, but I simply won't recommend it because of the very outdated humor. (Think about answering machine or cassette jokes, and you'll get the idea.)

I had no inkling whatsoever about what I was going to encounter with this particular book. And I'm truly glad that I dove into it blindly.

It enabled me to be pleasantly astonished by the contents within this volume! This book is astonishingly clever and truly hilarious. It's not the typical fare one anticipates from an end-of-the-world novel, and that's precisely what makes it so remarkable.

The writing is completely seamless. You can't discern where one author's contribution ends and the other's begins, which can sometimes pose an issue with books penned by a duo. But that's most definitely not a problem with this book!

My only minor gripe is that the only character I truly adored was Crowley. The rest seemed rather lackluster in comparison to him.

Overall, this book is a real gem that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and entertaining read.

I find it extremely difficult not to have an affinity for a book that delves into the concept of how the plans for Armageddon encounter a hitch when a scatterbrained Satanic nun misplaces the Antichrist.

Many of the reviews of Good Omens draw comparisons to Douglas Adams. Indeed, there are certain resemblances. A significant portion of the story unfolds beyond the confines of normal reality, it is truly hilarious, and it exudes a very British charm. However, I discerned that the overall tone is softer, less sarcastic, and more deliberately philosophical in its essence.

While the book is highly entertaining, it also poses some extraordinarily interesting questions. In particular, the query of whether the Antichrist has free will looms large. This question adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, making it not just a light-hearted romp but a thought-provoking exploration of profound themes.

The misadventures of the scatterbrained Satanic nun and the misplaced Antichrist create a comical and engaging backdrop against which these weighty philosophical inquiries are raised. It makes for a truly unique and captivating reading experience.

Good Omens is a captivating book that delves into the story of the Antichrist and the end of the world.

But don't be misled, it's not all doom and gloom! In fact, a significant portion of it is uproariously funny. The angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley are each assigned the task of locating the Antichrist as a baby and influencing him to their respective sides, heaven or hell. However, due to a misunderstanding, they lose track of the Antichrist, and he grows up to be a normal human boy. As a result, Armageddon unfolds with a few hitches.

It was precisely as good as I had anticipated! The characters - Aziraphale, Crowley, Anathema, Newt, Shadwell, and the Them - were all relatable, real (despite some not being human), and had just the right touch of absurdity.

Shadwell was particularly amusing. In my mind, all his lines were delivered with a truly terrible Scottish accent, which made every scene with him truly awesome.

One pressing issue that came to my mind: has anyone here watched Supernatural?

The moment Crowley was mentioned, I immediately thought of Supernatural. Their characters are astonishingly similar!

Some quotes, in particular, stood out as being very "Supernatural"-Crowley-like, such as "Crowley had dark hair and good cheekbones and wore snakeskin shoes" or "Crowley had always known that he would be around when the world ended, because he was immortal and wouldn't have any alternative. But he'd hoped it would be a long way off. Because he rather liked people. It was a major failing in a demon." or "Aziraphale. The Enemy, of course. But an enemy for six thousand years now, which made him a sort of friend."

Can you see the similarities? They're staring me right in the face!

No disrespect to Neil Gaiman, but it can be argued that the best comedy novel he has ever penned is only a possibility due to the significant contribution of Terry Pratchett. The novel in question exhibits the comedic tone that is characteristic of Pratchett's body of work. Gaiman, on the other hand, does an excellent job of meshing with this tone, creating a harmonious and highly entertaining literary experience. Pratchett's influence is palpable throughout the text, with his unique brand of humor shining through in every page. Gaiman, in turn, brings his own creative sensibilities to the table, resulting in a novel that is both engaging and hilarious. Together, they have crafted a work that is sure to delight readers of all ages and tastes.

In a recent trip to England, I wanted to buy something... English as a souvenir and yes, I thought of this book!

Sardonically sarcastic!!!

For those who know the work of Gaiman and Pratchett, they would buy the result of their collaboration with their eyes closed. And surely they wouldn't be disappointed!!!

First of all, from the back cover it seems that things are not going very well for the Armageddon plan: The demon and the angel who are in charge on Earth don't seem to care much... And what about the Antichrist? What happens to him? It seems that someone has lost him or given him to the wrong family or..... in the end, something is not going as well as it should.

Moreover, the authors don't leave anything straight in the whole system and they are sarcastic about everyone and everything, either directly or indirectly.

Some of the direct ones:

\\n  Demon: "If my people don't find him, they'll kill me"
Angel: "Because what will my people do to me?"
Demon: "Don't you assume that you have the sense of mercy?"
Angel: "Of course... don't you remember Sodom and Gomorrah?" \\n

After reading the terms of return and replacement of a defective high-tech product from a well-known electronics brand by the demon \\n  He was so impressed that he took [the terms] photocopy and sent them Down, to the department of binding damned souls with the following note "Look and learn boys" \\n

The ending is expected for those who know the authors' views from their other books.

Recently I learned that it is being turned into a series with David Tennant - Michael Sheen!!!

Angels and Demons, Good and Bad, Up and Down.

And then there are us.

What does it mean to be human? Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman have an idea about it, and I am extremely grateful to whoever had the brilliant idea of turning Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch into a TV series.

I initially intended to read this as a recap of season 1, but little did I know that I would end up loving the book even more than the show. After all, in just one of them we have the amazing Michael Sheen and THE David Tennant!

But, how could I not? This is essentially a comic and judgmental rewrite of the Bible and what is supposed to occur at the end of the world, seen from a human perspective - which is, in a sense, the only perspective that truly matters.

Full of charismatic and absurd characters, a great deal happens and a lot is explained. It's like the life stories of these imaginary characters, who have such detailed backgrounds that they seem more real than me.

But it doesn't feel overwhelming. It doesn't become confusing or boring in any way.

Honestly, my only concrete thought at the moment is that I would do anything to get a sequel.

↠ 4 stars

This novel spoof of THE OMEN is truly and absolutely hilarious.

From the four bikers of the apocalypse, who bring a unique and comical twist to the traditional concept, to the adorable hell hounds that add a touch of cuteness to the otherwise dark and sinister theme, it is without a doubt my absolute favorite offering from Terry Pratchett.

In my opinion, his humor, when mixed with Neil Gaiman's, creates an absolute win. The combination of their writing styles results in a story that is both entertaining and engaging.

***Wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Well, it's because I'm only reviewing my favorite books - not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. And yes, I can't believe I just said "hearty." It really does sound like a stew.****

Oh. My. God.

This was truly one of the funniest books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The writing style was absolutely phenomenal. As I delved into the pages, I could vividly picture myself and many of the people I know within the quirky and endearing characters.

The story unfolds as Good and Evil's earthly representatives come to the realization that the time for the Apocalypse has arrived, and they're far from happy about it. You see, they have grown accustomed to and developed a liking for life on Earth. Moreover, Evil (with a capital 'E') itself couldn't possibly conceive of doing worse things to mankind than what mankind already does to itself.

And let's not forget the antichrist's name - Adam! For crying out loud! (Not to mention that his trusty sidekick, cleverly named "Dog", rather enjoys being a real dog and has no desire to return to being a hellhound; he'd surely miss all those wonderful smells!)

My favorite line (and it was an incredibly tough decision, believe me!) was:

"This is how Newton Pulsifer looked as a man: if he went into a phone booth and changed, he might manage to come out looking like Clark Kent."

And don't overlook the other Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - especially Treading in Dogshit (formerly known by various names). By the way, after an unfortunate accident, he ended up calling himself People Covered in Fish.

I was, however, a little disappointed with the ending. It seemed a touch too neat and easy, lacking that extra bit of complexity and depth that I had hoped for. That's precisely why it didn't receive that fifth star from me.

Overall, it was a great book! The friend who recommended Clan of the Cave Bear to me (you know who you are!) has completely redeemed herself with this wonderful literary gem.

In a Nutshell: Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - such a remarkable writing duo! Their collaboration is bound to deliver something truly special, right? And indeed, it does. The result is a work that is brilliant, humorous, original, thought-provoking, and utterly memorable.

Story Synopsis: According to a prophecy penned by Agnes Nutter, a 17th-century witch, the world is set to end next Saturday. This doesn't sit well with two particular beings - Aziraphale the angel and Crowley the demon. Having lived on Earth for ages, they have developed a deep affection for the planet and its quirky inhabitants, flaws and all. They are determined to go against their superiors and prevent the impending Armageddon. However, the situation is far from simple. With the Antichrist, the Them, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse already causing chaos, and the planet's last two witch-finders gearing up for a battle, the path ahead is filled with complications. Add to this some strange planetary shifts and zoological incidents, and one can't help but wonder if there are any good omens in this book. The story is told from the third-person limited perspective of several characters, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The book has been widely reviewed, and many have also watched the show based on it. So, I don't have a whole lot of new insights to offer. This is just my little review.
Bookish Yays: The lead characters, Aziraphale and Crowley, share a wonderful connection that truly elevates the story. Their banter is simply amazing and a joy to read. The other characters are also well-sketched and memorable, with quite a few making a significant impact. The plot is truly wow! It's astonishing how the length doesn't disrupt the flow, and the handling of so many subplots, especially with two writers involved, is masterful. Everything comes together neatly at the end. The writing, of course, is superb. Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, known for his incredible imagination and unique writing style. Even when he makes a misstep, he still outshines many other popular writers. He didn't disappoint me this time either. The prose is filled with thought-provoking lines, juxtaposed with zingy one-liners that add a touch of humor. The themes explored in the book are profound and relevant, such as good vs. evil, nature vs. nurture, blind obedience vs. sensible compliance, and free will vs. destiny. The humor is tongue-in-cheek, just the way I like it. I particularly loved how the book takes the biblical concept of the Apocalypse and the Antichrist and turns it into a clever satire. It pokes fun at zealots, both religious and otherwise, without resorting to cheap mudslinging. There is a lot of content in the book that merits careful consideration. The diversity is well-represented, not in terms of race but in terms of origin. Angels, demons, and humans all receive equal attention, as do male, female, and genderless characters. Despite its many fun elements, the plot has depth, making a bold statement about human values, beliefs, and the hypocrisy of "developed" society. This book would be the perfect choice for a stimulating bookish discussion.
Bookish Nays: One downside is that there are simply too many characters and subplots, which can sometimes be a bit confusing to keep track of.
All in all, despite its length and medium pace, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It provided both entertainment and food for thought, offering everything I expected and more. If you love a combination of introspection, hilarity, and brilliant writing, I highly recommend checking out this book! I give it 4.5 stars, rounding up! Now, it's time for me to watch the show. I'm so excited!
Update 1: 18th Sept 2023 - I finally watched Season One of the show, and it was absolutely awesome! The casting was impeccable, the performances were great, and the screenplay was mindblowing. I especially loved the novel elements introduced at the climax.
Update 2: 20th December 2023 - I watched Season Two as well! Whoa! No spoilers here, but there better be a Season Three!
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