Anansi Boys [Paperback]

Neil Gaiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2008

Fat Charlie Nancy's normal life ended the moment his father dropped dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn't know his dad was a god. And he never knew he had a brother. Now brother Spider is on his doorstep—about to make Fat Charlie's life more interesting . . . and a lot more dangerous.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Genre-busting . . . very creative and very funny. Grade: A-” (Christian Science Monitor )

“Delightful, funny and affecting . . . the literary equivalent of a hole in one.” (Washington Post Book World )

“An off-kilter blend of reality and fantasy.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution )

“Witty and engaging.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune )

“Deliciously compulsive . . . Grade: A.” (Washington Post )

“A droll comedy of manners with elements of mystery, thriller and romance thrown in . . . Charming.” (Vancouver Sun )

“A clever, quick-witted book.” (Oklahoma City Oklahoman )

“Gaiman at his best.” (Rocky Mountain News )

“Funny and subversive . . . Gaiman’s mastery of language carries the reader through to a satisfying conclusion.” (USA Today )

“[Gaiman is] the folksy, witty, foolishly wise narrator to perfection.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“Gaiman hardwires his comedy of misrule with a crackpot energy that, when successfully channelled, lights up the imagination.” (Sunday Times (London) )

“The most accomplished of Gaiman’s novels . . . Urbane and sophisticated.” (Time Out London )

“A madcap, screwball world that is partly absurd, occassionally humane and always entertaining.” (Pittsburgh Tribune )

“A welterweight boxer of a book -- light on its feet, but capable of delivering a punch.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution )

“Readers who enjoyed American Gods . . . will fall madly in love with ANANSI BOYS.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch )

“Another great work from Neil Gaiman.” (Toronto Star )

“A remarkably funny book.” (Toronto Star )

“Ebullient . . . The Gaiman faithful will devour it gratefully.” (Sacramento Bee )

“Another lovely story as only Gaiman can tell it; necessary and recommended.” (Library Journal )

“A thoughtful, atmospheric novel.” (London Times )

“Darkly funny and heartwarming to the end, this book is an addictive read not easily forgotten.” (School Library Journal )

“ANANSI BOYS makes an incredible read.” (Times Leader )

“[Gaiman] gives his flair for comedy free rein without losing his appreciation for the darker aspects of world mythology.” (San Francisco Chronicle )

“Somehow manages to be both really scary and really funny at the same time.” (Newsweek )

“A very accomplished comic novel.” (Daily Telegraph (London) )

“A hybrid of folk tale and farce that freely partakes of the comic wealth in each.” (Salon.com )

“Ebullient . . . ingenious . . . enormously entertaining throughout.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) )

About the Author

Neil Gaiman’s bestselling novels include Neverwhere, American Gods, Coraline, Anansi Boys, and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett). He is the creator of the Sandman series of graphic novels and author of the short-fiction collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. The winner of numerous literary honors, Gaiman is originally from England but now lives in America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061342394
• ISBN-13: 978-0061342394
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spiderboys!, January 22, 2008

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anansi Boys (Paperback)

You think your dad is embarrassing? Well, at least he isn't an African trickster god -- now that would be nothing but trouble.

But it's what you'd expect of Neil Gaiman, who is best known for his witty, slightly wonky brand of dark fantasy -- and his ability to spin up the most absurd stories in an entertaining fashion. And "Anansi Boys" features Gaiman getting in touch with his lighter, playful more humorous side, in a sort-of-sequel to his smash hit "American Gods."

Fat Charlie's dad has always been weird -- brass bands for the terminally ill, nicknames that stick, and much more. But even away from his dad, Charlie isn't happy. Then he gets the news that his dad died during a karaoke song; when he goes to the funeral, an old neighbor tells him that Daddy was really Anansi the spider god. Even worse, Charlie finds out he has a brother.

Spider is everything Charlie isn't -- charming, debonair, witty, and magical. Soon he has not only taken over Fat Charlie's house, but his fiancee as well, distracting Fat Charlie from his boss's attempts to frame him. Determined to get rid of Spider, Fat Charlie enlists the Bird Woman's help -- but soon finds that his pact will only get them in deeper trouble with the ancient gods.

Trickster gods -- like Anansi, Loki, Kokopelli, or even a bit of Hermes -- are always the most entertaining part of old myths and legends. They're unpredictable, unmistakable, get all the best lines, and perpetually wild'n'crazy -- and they are also the worst kinds of dads you could imagine. They probably wouldn't make wonderful brothers, either.

So of course, Gaiman goes to town with "Anansi Boys," by simply forming a story around that idea: what if a trickster god had two kids, who were nothing alike, but suddenly had to deal with one another? Gaiman also sprinkles it liberally with corporate intrigue, romance, and the old Anansi legends (which he inserts periodically). Don't expect the darker overtones of "American Gods," because this is a very different story.

With this lighter tone, Gaiman sounds a lot like his pal Terry Pratchett, right down to wry humor and on-the-spot comic timing. And the dialogue is pure gold: "There are three things, and three things only, that can lift the pain of mortality and ease the ravages of life. These things are wine, women and song." "Curry's nice too." Gaiman seems to be having a lot of fun in this book.

And nowhere is the fun more clear than in Spider and Fat Charlie. They're like yin and yang -- one brother is charming, conscienceless and self-consciously divine in his attitude, and the other is nervy, awkward and painfully mundane. Spider's charm leaps out from the page, while Fat Charlie is sort of Gaiman's "Charlie Brown." Don't worry, Fat Charlie improves as the book goes on.

Everyone gets annoyed by their siblings and embarrassed by their dad, but the "Anansi Boys" have a life more complex than most. Lighter than most Neil Gaiman books, but hilarious, dark and perpetually clever.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Great Format, June 22, 2008

By 

J. Gladwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anansi Boys (Paperback)

I'm a Neil Gaiman fan; American Gods is one of my favorite novels. This book never quite reaches the scope of American Gods for me, it's still entertaining and the book itself would actually get a 4 from me, most likely.

But the binding of this book, it's the best around. I'm very buggy about my books, if I'm to buy a book I can't stand reading Mass Market Paperback, I enjoy this format, of quality paperback and words that are somewhat bigger so I feel like a page doesn't take too long.

So I may seem a little nutty about books, but regardless this is a great book with great style, and any Neil Gaiman, or fantasy fan for that matter, will enjoy this book.

PS: American Gods is NOT a prerequisite for reading Anansi Boys. They take place in the same universe and share a character, but Anansi Boys was an idea conceived before American Gods, so you can read either one first, if you're curious.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absatively!!!!!, June 4, 2008

By 

Julio Caicedo "Julio" (Panama) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anansi Boys (Paperback)

Right from the start Mr. Gaiman nail it. A fast, humurous and dark ride he presents in this novel. Fat Charlie, Rosie, Grahame Coats, Spider and Mr. Nancy, all characters that will haunt you and most probably make you smile when you are not reading the book. No mistake. Mr. Gaiman did it again, great book!!!