Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Book Review: What a brilliant concept - and it delivers.
Summary: 5 Stars
What happens when you take Terry Pratchett - the father of fantasy comedy, and Neil Gaiman - the dark comic genius of the graphic novel, and cross the two of them with 1970s cult classic "The Omen". Well the answer is "Good Omens" and not only does it sound like a good idea in principle but this book delivers.Anybody who has ever seen the Omen will find this to be possibly the finest horror parody of modern times, and the unitiated will find find it a hillarious and perfectly planned out novel.
The Devil sends his teaching through the voice of Freddie Mercury, on a car radio? And his son was mixed up with another kid at birth...
You simply must read this book. Regardles of if you've never seen a Discworld Novel, or read any of the Sandman Library, I assure you you will enjoy it. It is after all something totally seperate to both those series' and that is what makes it so special.
Book Review: not quite equal to the sum of its parts.....
Summary: 1 Stars
Stephen King and Peter Straub combining to write their epic Talisman this is not. That book saw King's narrative combine with Straub's dialogue with killer results.Good Omens is at best average Pratchett with no visible influence from Gaiman...at worst it is juvenile and predictable. If that's what you're looking for then go for it.
BUT, if like me you're a Gaiman fan stay well clear and save your pennies for the new release.
If you're not already a Gaiman fan I'd start with the fantastic 'American Gods', which knocks the dark nerve scrapping thought provoking socks off messrs King, Straub, Barker et al.
Book Review: Cynical humour at its best
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's face it, religion is great source material for humour. This novel focuses on the book of Revelations and its implications with respect to modern times.In a way it's completely unlike anything I've ever read by either of its authors. It combines the rich humour of Pratchett with the dark obsessions of Gaiman. The two work together very well to produce the funniest book I've ever read. The only comparison I can think of is Bill Hicks without the fury and relentless aggression.
Book Review: How good is this book?!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was simply amazing. I am now on my third copy (having given one away and read the other to death). It is a beautifully written account of the end of the world and the birth of the antichrist. Gaiman and Pratchett carefully synthesize bleak, sarcastic, modernism with Crowley with the traditional, friendly funny gentility of Aziraphale. It's also nice to see two authors now afraid of putting themselves into the two main characters. I enjoyed seeing their philosophical arguments with a hilarious edge put down on paper. I can't recommend it enough! And there are rumours of a movie!Book Review: Dan Dan Dan DAAAN
Summary: 4 Stars
Whenever I read a novel which has been written by 2 authors, I always wonder which author wrote which bit. In the case of "Come Together" the problem is solved in that the man wrote the bit about the man, and the woman did the woman (so to speak). With "Good Omens" we are led to believe that Neil Gaiman did the darker inputs, with Terry Pratchett ensuring that the lighter elements remained.My personal belief is that this is actually a bunch of arse. I believe that they just took it in turns to write various chapters, then thought up the whole Good Author Vs Evil Author afterwards. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter; as the book does read uncommonly well. The plot (such as it is) involves what would happen if the child from 'The Omen' were brought up as an ordinary English kid, due to a mix up at the birth.
Although this book is not as funny as the Discworld series by Pratchett, it does have some ticklish moments. My personal favourites are when they manage to trap a demon on an answerphone cassette, and then are tempted to play it over and over again in their (possessed) car tape player. This is because all music played in this car becomes Queen, but even a member of the underworld proves not to be sadistic enough to turn a fellow demon into Freddie Mercury. The other favourite moment of mine is when the angels change the paintball guns at an "Executive Training Facility" into real ones. (Though all the victims manage to have miraculous escapes from death).
Yes, this book is darker than Pratchett's usual stuff. Yes it is funny. Yes it does read well enough for more than one run through. Yes I do recommend it to all. However, I do not rate it as highly as any from the Discworld series (including Equal Rites).