Neverwhere by Nail Gaiman
Maybe this door when opened will take me to an underground version of where I live in, even if it’s not London…
Our story of Richard Mayhew in London Below has come to an end. It was an initial slog to get through, unlike most books though, the initial slog was easier to conquer. Probably why I gave this book such a high rating 8/10. The illustrations of the characters never failed to amaze me, however jarring and striking they are. They paint a descriptive picture of living in the other version of London where the forgotten people fall through the cracks.
What I love about Gaiman’s writing style is that he uses flowery descriptions for locations, places and character motivations. His writing style hooks the reader and makes them feel like they are in a flowing stream of consciousness. Very entrancing, yet I felt is repetitive at times, with points where I felt “ok I got the point, please advance!”
London Below was so mysterious and spooky, yet seems to have its own charm. The cast of characters made it all the more lively, despite the bleakness of the colors that I imagined. The Earl, Lady Serpentine, Hammersmith, Old Bailey, all side characters that are so quirky and special that they stand out more than side characters in other tales.
Our main characters are with their faults, although I feel that more into their backgrounds could have been done. We know about the tale of Door, but I feel the motivations of Mr Croup and Vandemar, the Marquis’ prior debt, Hunter's origins; all can be explained better. Watching Richard grow from the average joe to the level-headed Richard has been a journey as well.
Overall, it's been a wonderful journey through the undergrounds of London and an unforgettable one as well. The setting was mystifying, the cast was lovely, the plot advances like a fever dream, and it ends on a sweet note. A really strong introduction to Gaiman's works!