If I loved this book less, I might be able to talk about it more.

This statement holds a certain truth. When we have an intense love for a book, it can sometimes be difficult to put our feelings into words. The emotions it evokes are so profound and complex that we struggle to find the right expressions.

However, if our attachment were a little less, perhaps we could approach the book with a more objective eye. We might be able to analyze its plot, characters, and themes more critically, and share our thoughts in a more articulate way.

But then again, the very essence of loving a book lies in the subjective experience it offers. The way it makes our hearts race, our minds soar, and our souls connect. Maybe it's better to just let the love speak for itself, and allow others to discover the magic of the book on their own.

In the end, whether we can talk about a book or not, the important thing is that it has touched our lives in some way.

Literally every day, I find myself pondering over the fact that this book was published in 1990, and yet in 2019, they finally brought it to life as a miniseries. Neil Gaiman, it seems, had this idea of making it even more of a romcom than it already was, just for the heck of it.

I keep grappling with what I believe to be the objectively best thing about this ridiculously wonderful book that I adored reading. And I think I've hit upon this paragraph from a delightful review of the 2019 miniseries:

“Good Omens knows that you can’t look at a screen without being presented with some version of the apocalypse, and so it foregoes any pretence of bombastic grandeur to instead tell a charming story about the joys of friendship, as well as the everyday fuckups that make the world feel as if it’s coming to an end, when in reality it’s just another day that ends in y.”

I think what makes this book so entertaining is that it takes concepts that we're all, to some extent, familiar with and perhaps even scared of - like the possibility of imminent death - and turns them into something entertaining and even comical at times.

In all honesty, Good Omens is a hysterically funny book. It's about four eleven-year-olds, a witch with some spookily accurate prophecies, a witchfinder doing his best, a Bentley that turns every album played in it into Queen, and an angel and a demon with a six-thousand-year-old friendship (which was called a marriage but couldn't be said as such in 1990). They're all trying to stop the apocalypse, and they're doing it badly. Very badly. It's also a love letter to humanity and to the power of free will and choice in a world that seems hell-bent on taking it away. You should definitely read it.

Also, you should watch the miniseries. It's joining the canon of best adaptations like Big Little Lies season one and Gone Girl (2012).

TW: multiple slurs are used in ways that are neither acceptable nor funny.

—————

¹It's called a marriage but we couldn't say that in 1990.

²Also you should watch the miniseries, it's joining the Big Little Lies season one and Gone Girl (2012) canon of best adaptations

³literally picture me as John Mulaney yelling "not funny"

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I know, I know. It seems like blasphemy not to give this book five stars. Believe me, I truly feel guilty for only awarding it three stars. It's not because I think it objectively deserves more. Instead, it's because I know deep down that I should have liked it more. The writing in this book was truly fantastic. The author's command of the language was remarkable, and the way the words were strung together was a joy to read. And the main characters, on paper, should have been interesting enough to keep me hooked from start to finish.

But here's the thing. Sometimes, as I was reading, it felt like the writing was more focused on coming up with a clever punchline than actually advancing the plot. I would be enjoying a particular scene, and then suddenly, there would be a one-liner that seemed a bit out of place, as if it was inserted just for the sake of getting a laugh.

Don't misunderstand me. The book was hilarious. There were several moments when I had genuine belly laughs while reading it. But those laughs alone weren't enough to make me fully invest in the book. While I was reading, I found myself having only two opinions: "Oh, that's cool" or "Oh, that's funny." I didn't experience any other emotions or have any deeper connections with the story or the characters.

So, in the end, I had to give it three stars. I feel badly about it, and I hope that those who may be offended by my mid-level rating will please forgive me. Maybe I just need to sleep on it and give it another chance. But for now, three stars is what I think it deserves.

Heaven, hell, demons, angels, a motley crew of children, witch-hunters, witches - all these elements, along with Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and the Antichrist, combined to bring this book into existence.

A readathon, a discount book-selling website, the buzz from a streaming-service television adaptation, boredom, poor decision-making, and a lack of social life all converged to make me pick up this book and start reading.

And as it turned out, it was a rather good read.

Despite the long list of ingredients that went into making this book, its pacing was a bit clunky and odd. One would think that a book about the homoerotic enemies-to-friends/lovers relationship between an angel and a demon, with the rapidly approaching Antichrist-inspired apocalypse as the backdrop, would be a non-stop thrill ride.

Regrettably, one would be a little bit wrong.

Overall, this book is very funny and enjoyable, but it also has its moments of being quite boring. This is because the book succumbs to the dreaded habit of "multiple perspectives," which means that sometimes you're with the characters you love, having witty banter and engaging in crazy hijinks, and just when things are getting really good, boom.

You're suddenly in the English countryside with a group of children.

Such is life, but in my opinion, this whole thing would be better if children didn't exist.

You can decide whether I mean in this book or in real life.

Bottom line: The most disappointing yet still recommended read of my lifetime! I'll manage.

3.5

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

It's hard to say which I could use more at the moment: anything written by Neil Gaiman, or a good omen.

I'm going with both!

Clear ur shit prompt 6: Steal a book from someone's TBR
Follow my progress here

One of my all-time favorite books is truly a remarkable piece of literature. It stands right up there with the iconic "Hitchhiker's Guide." This book has the power to transport me to different worlds and engage my imagination like no other. The story is filled with captivating characters, each with their own unique personalities and adventures. The plot is intricately woven, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It explores profound themes and ideas that make me think deeply long after I've finished reading. The writing style is both engaging and accessible, making it a joy to read. Whether I'm curled up on the couch or on a long journey, this book is always my go-to companion. It has become a part of my life and I can't imagine not having it in my collection.

Good Omens is a truly remarkable work that offers a modern, humorous, and unique perspective on Armageddon and the events that precede it. I had the pleasure of recently watching the Amazon adaptation of the book, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it stayed true to the original in terms of humour and plot, which is no doubt due to Neil Gaiman writing the script.

The prose in Good Omens is very irregular and often goes off on tangents. This can be both a positive and a negative. On one hand, it adds a certain charm and hilarity to the read, as it is a very different style from what I have encountered before. On the other hand, it can sometimes subtract from the plot and make it a bit difficult to follow.

The characters in Good Omens are diverse and wonderful. In particular, the partnership between the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale is absolutely brilliant. Their relationship has a depth that is expected from having known each other for 6000 years, and their plot line was my personal favourite. Overall, Good Omens was an exciting and interesting read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for something a little different.

\\n  I now have a YouTube channel that I run with my brother, called 'The Brothers Gwynne'. Check it out - The Brothers Gwynne\\n


Just posted my expanded review of Good Omens on Booknest.eu, hope you enjoy... http://booknest.eu/component/k2/william/1567-good-omens-by-neil-gaiman-and-terry-pratchett

“Notoriety wasn’t as good as fame, but was heaps better than obscurity.”

I look forward to discussing everything about this novel on Sunday at Eastbourne Waterstones fantasy book club.

The description "...did not so much fall as saunter vaguely downwards" is truly a humorous and vivid one.

Even after 25 years, it has the power to evoke laughter within me.

It creates a mental image that is both comical and absurd.

One can almost picture a person not really falling in the traditional sense, but rather meandering down in a leisurely and somewhat aimless manner.

The choice of words here is what makes it so effective.

"Saunter" implies a relaxed and unhurried gait, while "vaguely downwards" adds an element of confusion and lack of direction.

It's as if the person is not quite sure where they are going or how they got there.

This kind of unexpected and offbeat description has a charm all its own.

It shows the creativity and wit of the writer who was able to come up with such a unique and memorable phrase.

And for that, I continue to find it hilarious even after all these years.

I received this for my birthday, presented in that beautiful hardcover edition.

In fact, I had never read it before. However, someone believed I would surely love it and couldn't resist watching the mini-series. I suppose it's one of those books that one must read before the world ends, isn't it?

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world will end next Saturday, just before dinner.

The problem is that someone has apparently misplaced the Antichrist, who is actually a rather nice boy. And there's an angel and a demon who have been living among humanity for millennia and have grown quite fond of the lifestyle. After all, there are no sushi restaurants in heaven.

Nevertheless, the four Bikers of the Apocalypse - Hell's Angels, of course - are coming. Will someone be able to stop them?

The Apocalypse turns out to be a rather funny affair. Due to some misunderstandings and a bit of incompetence, not everything is going according to plan. Or is it?

The book does something quite remarkable. It presents the Apocalypse in a way very similar to slapstick, while at the same time having one or two things to say about the state of the world and humanity, but delivering these messages in a humorous way as well.

It is funny from beginning to end. I greatly enjoyed large portions of it. But I didn't love it all. In the afterword, Neil Gaiman says about Terry Pratchett that while his books are still funny, they are no longer following the jokes, but the story and the characters. And I think that's exactly what this book doesn't do. It is not following the story; it is following the jokes, and the characters become devices for the jokes in the process.

I mean, sure, I like good jokes. And the ones here are not only funny but also often quite clever. But after a certain amount of time, I just want something else. Something that makes me want to pick up the book and see what happens next. A story with some forward momentum or a character that I really get attached to and want to know what happens to them.

There are a lot of characters in this one. And not all of them get enough space to leave an impression. The POVs are numerous and they change rapidly. It's all very episodic. This book was certainly not a page-turner for me. It's pretty much an extraordinarily funny mess of a book. Until the last one hundred pages or so, when it finally becomes a proper book.

The whole thing started as a Neil Gaiman short story, an unfinished one. And together the two authors turned it into this book.

I think I would have loved a novella.

3.5 stars, rounded up. Because I loved the beginning and very much liked the end.

Actually, I think this might work a little better for me on the screen.

What the hell?! I guess it's all been part of the ineffable plan anyway. Nice present,
  Trish
. Thank you! :)

The TV series is better. There, I said it.

David Tennant and Michael Sheen were a revelation in the TV adaptation. Their performances added depth and charisma to the characters. The plot was tighter, with a more focused narrative that kept me engaged from start to finish. The production value was also great, with stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack.

In contrast, the book lost its charm by the second half. The story lines became jumbled, with new small characters being introduced left and right. This made it difficult to keep track of the plot and completely bored me out. I could not care less for Anathema and Newt, Madame Tracy et al. While I initially loved the four bikers of Apocalypse and the kids, that was about it. The ending was also anticlimactic, leaving me feeling disappointed.

It's really too bad, since the first opening chapters of the book were fantastic. They were hilarious, witty, and amusing, and I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed them. However, it seems that humor and wit alone do not guarantee an enjoyable read. The TV series, on the other hand, managed to take the best parts of the book and turn them into a truly great adaptation.

This might potentially be my third or fourth encounter with this book. However, it was the very first instance that I read it while envisioning David Tennant and Michael Sheen as the principal characters.

This truly bestowed an entirely novel dimension upon it.

For me, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch serves as comforting reading material. It is precisely as intelligent and humorous as one would anticipate when Pratchett and Gaiman collaborate to work their combined literary sorcery.

The characters are all utterly absurd and thoroughly entertaining. The narrative is skillfully recounted. And, of course, one of my most cherished literary characters makes an appearance within its pages as well. This might sound rather absurd if you haven't delved into Pratchett's works previously, but Death is simply brilliant!

I adored every single aspect of it, and I am certain that I will revisit it once more in the future.

Without a doubt, it is a very funny book. I have had a great time with "Good and Evil" and its blunders, haha...

This book presents a unique and engaging story that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and their antics and missteps add a humorous touch to the narrative. It's not just about the laughs though; there are also deeper themes explored within the pages.

As I was reading, I found myself constantly entertained and eager to see what would happen next. The author has a great talent for creating a vivid and immersive world that draws the reader in. Whether you're a fan of humorous literature or just looking for an enjoyable read, this book is definitely worth checking out.