Anansi Boys: A Novel

Reviews (See all 2,075) Write a reviewfor this

It's a hit!

Great book, light-hearted and imaginative. Somehow, I ended up reading two books in a row where it all begins when main character's father passes a... (show more)

Great book, light-hearted and imaginative. Somehow, I ended up reading two books in a row where it all begins when main character's father passes away (the other one was "Absurdistan").

This is my second book by Neil Gaiman and I think I enjoyed this one better than "American Gods" -- while the underlying theme of gods and humans is the same, "Anansi Boys" was flowing a little easier and was not as dark. Main character is definitely quirky and quite charming. Easily embarrassed by his father and intimidated by his brother, he possesses the phobias that speak to the introvert in me. The magical part of the book is imaginative without being over-the-top and cheesy.

Warning! A tiny bit of a spoiler after this sentence!

My only criticism is that the end of the book was a little too cliche -- a happy ending that includes "5 years later..." chapter as if the author is waiting for Hollywood to come up with a movie deal. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

No, it's a flop!

Pacing seems to flounder as badly as American Gods. Was hoping for a return to form from Good Omens, but I guess Pratchett's involvement may have ... (show more)

Pacing seems to flounder as badly as American Gods. Was hoping for a return to form from Good Omens, but I guess Pratchett's involvement may have had more influence in the storyline drive. (show less)

 

 

by Matt Kerr

More Reviews

• 

  The world felt a little less empty in this one than it did in American Gods, and the characters seemed more real and were a hell of a lot more amusing and interesting. I have a lot more in common with Fat Charlie, who has faults and goals, than I do with the characterless Shadow.

  I did, however, find the epilogue out of place and strange. Charlie randomly falls in love with/gets engaged to this random girl with absolutely no subplotic build-up, and there was that whole thing with the merma... (show more)

  The world felt a little less empty in this one than it did in American Gods, and the characters seemed more real and were a hell of a lot more amusing and interesting. I have a lot more in common with Fat Charlie, who has faults and goals, than I do with the characterless Shadow.

  I did, however, find the epilogue out of place and strange. Charlie randomly falls in love with/gets engaged to this random girl with absolutely no subplotic build-up, and there was that whole thing with the mermaid. I guess mermaids make sense in the god-filled world and all, but in just the context of Anansi Boys it was kind of WTF-inducing.

  Except for that part, though, I thought it had a good, familiar sense to it. Definitely better than American Gods. (show less)

   

   

  by Katie Hasenyager on Jun 17, 2008 at 07:33PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• 
  

  I’m usually not a big fan of any book that is in the “fantasy” section at Borders, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Anansi Boys tells the story of a quiet, unlucky, seemingly-undriven man, Fat Charlie, who, after his father’s death, learns more about his family than he ever dreamed possible—including the fact that his father was actually a god and that he has a brother he seems to have inherited his father’s god-like qualities. Once Spider and Fat Charlie meet each other, all so... (show more)

  I’m usually not a big fan of any book that is in the “fantasy” section at Borders, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Anansi Boys tells the story of a quiet, unlucky, seemingly-undriven man, Fat Charlie, who, after his father’s death, learns more about his family than he ever dreamed possible—including the fact that his father was actually a god and that he has a brother he seems to have inherited his father’s god-like qualities. Once Spider and Fat Charlie meet each other, all sorts of things seem to go wrong (or right, depending on the point of view). While originally upset with Spider for all that is happening, Fat Charlie discovers more about himself and the qualities that he too inherited from his father. While not completely full of “deep thought” moments, this book really did have an good underlying quality as Fat Charlie discovers himself and the two brothers learn how good family can be. (show less)

   

   

  by Kyle Kerns on Nov 22, 2009 at 05:32PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• See all reviews
  Write a review