I WAS WRONG- Lets Discuss Neil Gaiman

The only thing to say is... I was wrong about Neil Gaiman. This year I decided to give Neil Gaiman another chance, mainly through his audiobooks. I listened to The Graveyard Book, The Ocean at the end of the Lane, and Norse Mythology. In this video I am going to discuss all three books and what I loved about them most.
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[@amymyers5503]

The Graveyard Book is lovely. I've been waiting since it was published in 2008 to find out what's going to happen next to Nobody Owens. According to Neil Gaiman, Liza Hempstock, the witch in The Graveyard Book, may be related to Lettie, Ginnie, and Old Mrs. Hempstock in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Daisy Hempstock in Stardust.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Yeah I liked the interconnection between the books. I think Daisy an Liza were Hempstocks born of men. So they had the magic but not the immortality.

[@alliem9404]

EXCELLENT!! Very happy to hear all this, particularly that you want to give American Gods another chance. It's one of my favorite books of all time! The George Gudiall version of the audiobook is supreme

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

thanks for the recommendation Allie. Ive seen several versions available.

[@TRUc972]

For no reason I could think of, I did not want to read Neil Gaiman. There was something in my subconscious that just put me off. I have the same issue with V.E.Schwab. I’ve never read any of her books. However one day I picked up Ocean at the end of the lane from my library and thought, fuck it, it’s short, it’s free, what have I got to lose. Long story short, I loved it. I’ve got American Gods on my book case to pick up as and when my TBR allows

[@fantasticphilosophy181]

Recently listened to Ocean at the End of the Lane (i've read it on paper a while back), and i really enjoyed it. Good Omens is really different in tone, but i loved that one as well. Maybe even more so, but might depend on the mood i'm in. Happy reading!

[@ClaRa124100]

Neil Gaimans books is what got me into reading again as an adult.

[@BookishChas]

Yay! I’m so excited you’ve found your stride with Neil Gaiman. Norse Mythology is so good. The Wedding of Freya was of of my favorites. I was absolutely crying with laughter lol. Good Omens is a brilliant book, and the show is equally so.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

OMG the wedding was soooo funny. Gaiman really leaned into the comedy in his narration so made it even funnier. His voice for Loki is spot on.

[@julieannelovesbooks]

The only reason I gave 3 stars to all the Neil Gaimans I read (ocean at the end of the lane, neverwhere and a study in emerald) is because I listened to him narrating his own books. I think his concepts are great, but somewhere along the road he loses me. Idk why. So yesterday I picked up a copy of good omens! Really want to read it before watching the show. Praying that I like this one

[@readbykyle3082]

This makes me happy, I love all three of those too. I just read Graveyard Book in January too and I was blown away by the audiobook. If you're retrying AG, the audiobook is full cast and is supposed to be excellent. One thing that I think speaks to Gaiman's abilities as an author is that almost nobody likes every single one of his books, and even his hardcore fans have different preferences for which is best. Stardust is just not good IMO but everything else I've read by him has been good-to-great. I don't know when you're planning on doing AG, but I have been meaning to do a re-read as well so we could potentially buddy read it.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks Kyle, I usually put 1 audiobook on my TBR, but I always finish it mid-month and usually get something off Libby or Scribed. So Im going to pencil it in for April and do the full cast version if its on there.

[@SS-bi1nj]

I understand what you’re saying. I have tried to read or listen to multiple Gaimon books and never been able to finish a single one of them. I read American Gods more than half way through, got bored and never picked it back up. I can’t put my finger on what it is about them that causes my disinterested after a while. Guess I haven’t found the right one but at this point I’m not sure I want to keep trying.

[@curtjarrell9710]

Neverwhere and the story collection Smoke & Mirrors are also good reading. There's also supposed to be a sequel to Neverwhere eventually, The Seven Sisters, announced a few years ago but no release date was updated.

[@nikosbookreviews]

Commented too early lol. I did really like American Gods as well, and Good Omens is fantastic! One of the rare books that is complemented very well by the show! The show made me want to read the book, and the book made me want to watch the show again!

[@cupreouscallings2874]

So glad to see this video! The Ocean at the End of the Lane is my favorite Gaiman novel. I love the audiobooks that he narrates himself, it definitely gives it that extra layer.

[@smnornhold]

The 10 yr anniversary all cast read of American Gods is the way to go, TB. Enjoy!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks Brady, I think that version is on my libby app!

[@frequentcrisisclub883]

This is absolutely my favorite version too. So so good. I enjoyed it much more than just reading the book

[@hosly101]

Tried and gave up on American Gods and figured Gaiman just wasn't for me....for sure gonna give him another shot!! The Graveyard Book sounds so good

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I hope you try the Graveyard book. It was so much fun.

[@wisegirl1206]

I just realized that I’ve listened to most of Neil Gaiman’s books and the ones I listen to are always the ones I love the most. (So much so that when i read his books it’s his voice narrating them in my head 🤣) I also have the graphic novels of The Graveyard Book and I adore them too! Great video- subscribed! 👏

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thank you Heather! Welcome aboard. Yeah haha his voice/ the voice actors for his books are transformational. I’m looking forward to picking up American Gods again.

[@nikosbookreviews]

Yet another thing we agree on lol, though I'd definitely put Ocean above Graveyard for me. His writing style I just enjoy quite a lot! haven't tried Norse Mythology yet, will have to for sure!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Norse mythology is a lot of fun. It’s a quick listen on audiobook if you get the chance to listen to it.

[@YourBrainonBooks]

This made me so happy 🤩 I love me some Gaiman

[@lily1747]

I read the first chapter of the Graveyard Book when I was a kid and it gave me nightmares, I really thought someone was going to murder my family in the middle of the night, so I just wouldn't go to sleep lol. But I read it again a couple years later and finally got past the first chapter and I loved it

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

oh no! lol maybe I will wait a few years before reading it to my children. The Man Jack is frightnening.

[@Fell-Purpose]

I changed my mind about Neil Gaiman after reading the Sandman

[@BookishChas]

Oh yeah, Sandman is top notch.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

ya im looking to get to that soon

[@derrisreaditbefore]

Dan, you're going to love Good Omens 🤗

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I really want to do the audio version with Tenant and Sheen

[@radrose4864]

I’m so jealous of those Wheel of Time covers. But I already own ancient copies of the first 10 books in paperback (the others are hardcover). And it just seems wasteful to buy all them again. Maybe some day. Hopefully Juniper doesn’t discontinue them for a long time.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I’m sure juniper will keep them for awhile. They do sell a version where they also sell you the hard cover along with the dust jacket

[@John-qy5rq]

Nice video man. I myself is planning on reading some Gaiman. Glad to hear that the audiobooks are good for norse myth. Gonna go the audio route for those

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

[@flourfriend]

I don't like all his books, like I couldn't get through Good Omens, but I recently listened to Neverwhere and it was so good

[@safinan8008]

👋 I’ve not read his authors book before, maybe I will check this author out!! Happy reading to you!! 😊🎥

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Please do!

[@craftblend]

New subscriber. Honestly, I felt the same way (still do) about Neil Gaiman. I'm glad to know there might be redemption for me yet. It always felt like this weird book lover faux pas not to like NG. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong. Reading his writing feels a little tiresome, so maybe with the artwork and other people reading his work to me, I'll finally get why so many love him.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

thank you and welcome aboard! yeah I think he is an author who translates better to the audiobook medium. I haven't tried Sandman yet so I am excited to see how that goes. Stardust forever will be crap in my mind. I am open to giving American gods a shot!

[@papl20]

It wasn't until very recently that I knew how much Neil Gaiman influenced my life. I never knew lots of books and stories I grew up with were his. I thank goodness I realize it with Good Omens. I only knew the book because of the show but it soon became one of my favorites. It is a love letter to the world and humanity itself.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Have you read any Terry Pratchett Besides Good Omens Paula?

[@papl20]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews when I was a little kid I read where is my cow? other than that, I haven't 🤭

[@Vexarax]

I love American Gods, and Norse Mythology is one of my favourites :D I have them both on audiobook read by Neil Gaiman himself and I agree he's such a good narrator. I'm glad you gave him another chance and were able to come to appreciate his brilliance 💚 Also I am so jealous of your bookshelf :D Edit wait I can't remember if American Gods was narrated by him or not. I think Sandman was narrated by him and also had a full cast, so I may be remembering the audio version of that instead. I hope when you can give American Gods another chance you might be able to enjoy it more? It's so freaking good, and so sad thinking of the old gods slowly dying from the world

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I’m definitely going to be giving American Gods another shot. I think I may give the audiobook a try in April!

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

This was awesome to watch - I loved Ocean at the End of the Lane. I like his storytelling style. Glad it worked for you the 2nd time around.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks so much Gareth! I am glad it clicked with me on this go around.

[@karla4799]

Maybe I'll try listening to one of those books. I started reading The Graveyard Book, but did not finish it. I know so many people love it, but I just found it so boring. I did not care about the main character, so I gave up on it.

[@JessietheSleepyKoala]

I haven’t had the best of luck with Gaiman but maybe I should give one of these books a go. I’ve heard a lot of people say good things about The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm a big fan of Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane and American Gods (the latter gets better with every read). His Norse Mythology is a nice retelling of the tales mostly told by Snorri Sturluson in the Prose (or Younger) Edda. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the audiobook experience. I've never used audiobooks, but when I hear praise like yours, I'm tempted to try. Thanks for the great video!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

thanks for the comment Phillip! I think I enjoyed the comedic parts of Norse Mythology more when it was narrated by Gaiman because he knew it was funny and went out of his way to tell it that way in the narration. They audiobooks i think are transformational of the material

[@readbykyle3082]

Philip you've never TRIED an audiobook? Oh good lord...try Andy Serkis' LOTR as an easy way in, maybe? Something you're already intimately familiar with that is narrated fantastically. I agree with Treebeard though, Gaiman's audiobooks are S-tier.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@readbykyle3082 I’ll catch up with the 21st century eventually!

[@TheJellicle1]

Allow me to recommend Neverwhere. Forget re-reading American Gods, read Neverwhere instead. The audio is also read by Gaiman and if you like it then you should listen to the BBC Radio1 full cast adaptation. It has ruined me for any other version.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

thanks Jellicle! I think both versions are available on Libby. Its pretty short too, I usually listen at 1.8x speed so I could blast through that in a day or two.

[@TheJellicle1]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews Awesome! Definitely speed up the Gaiman audio; I wouldn't recommend quite that fast for the BBC version, I think it would lose it's character.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks again for the recommendation. I think I’ll squeeze this in next month

[@joshyaks]

I just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane (I'll post a video about it at some point soon) and felt the same way about it as I have about Neverwhere and American Gods, which is that it was okay but it didn't excite me very much. I did enjoy The Graveyard Book graphic novel, though.

[@cheesemomo]

I fell in love with Neil Gaiman because of Good Omens! Would love to hear your opinion on it after you read it! Great video :)

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I can’t wait to read good omens. I know I will love it. Terry pratchett is my favourite author 😉

[@Keish03]

I personally have a Love/Hate relationship with Gaiman. I LOVE his stories, the premises, the worlds, the characters and above all the ADAPTATIONS. I love any movie or series created by Gaimans works. Stardust? My fave movie ever. Good Omens? American Gods? Amazing! But I have not enjoyed ANY of his books!!! The Coraline movie is AMAZING, ICONIC. The book was boring, dreary. Stardust was disappointing. American Gods confusing and too long. Idk. I think he has great ideas that have been adapted wonderfully to TV but his actual writing is terrible. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Bookaholic_]

Neverwhere is also very good

[@LennethValkyrie]

I'm definitely reading these books you're recommending :) I've just read Coraline and I think I should immerse myself more into this author's stories. Which one of those do you think I should start with?

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

The Graveyard book for sure!

[@LennethValkyrie]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews Thank you so much for you reply! I'll read it after I finish with the Three-Body Problem trilogy :D

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

That’s great! Oh yes by Liu Cixin. A few of my booktuber friends have read that and said it was excellent

[@LennethValkyrie]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews It's really good! I haven't been so impressed by a sci-fi story since I read Asimov, so yeah, give it a try when you can :D

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

Hey Treebeard, did u see u we’re on the news. CBC I believe.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Yes sir! CBS reached out to use my material.

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews That’s so cool. You’re a channel is awesome by the way 👍👍

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@CD287-]

:)