Jun 30 2006
Anansi Boys
Author: Neil Gaiman
ISBN: 0755305078
DDC: 823.914
It begins, as most things begin, with a song
Fat Charlie is fat, but the nickname has stuck. It is his father’s fault, if Fat Charlie’s dad calls something by a nickname, then that nickname sticks. Fat Charlie’s dad, you see, is Anansi, the god. And he is dead. At the funeral Fat Charlie learns he has a brother, Spider, and that if ever he wants to see his brother he just has to tell a spider.
You can see that trouble is on its way.
This is a really enjoyable book, set in the same general ‘verse as Gaiman’s American Gods, but very different in style and tone. This is more of a comedy, albeit with flashes of darkness. Not a hugly laugh out loud comedy, but an amusing one, that’ll keep you entertained.
As usual with Gaiman there are some wonderful images and passages. Our first meeting with the bird lady. The descriptions of Graham Coats. And Fat Charlie’s life being upset by an unwanted guest
He climbed into the bath.
He made a whimpering noise.
He climbed out of the bath.
He turned off the taps.
He wrapped a towel around his midriff and opened the bathroom door. “No hot water,” he said, much, much too calmly.
Go on, you know you want to read it.
Tags: 8 Stars, 823.914, Anansi Boys, humour, myth, Neil Gaiman, sff