Neil Gaiman is perhaps the finest comic books writer and has written a vast variety of work for readers spanning all ages. From wonderfully illustrated and imaginative children’s books to deep and profound fantasy to informative mythological non-fiction, he has dabbled in all genres. The recipient of many a coveted award, readers from all over the world devour is books. Today, we’re taking a look at best books written by Neil Gaiman, fiction and non-fiction, for young readers and old.
List of Best Books Written By Neil Gaiman | Finest Comic Books Writer:
Coraline
This middle grade fantasy novel is the story of Coraline, who moves into a new flat with her family. Her new house has fourteen doors, thirteen of which open. The fourteenth is barricaded by a brick wall, or so everyone thinks. When Coraline accidentally opens it, she is stunned to find a passage to a house just like her own. The only difference is, things such as food are better and angels exist. There’s also another father, who wants Coraline to come stay with him. However, there seem to be many other girls who seem to be trapped, and Coraline must devise a way for them to get out. This horror story has a magical dreamlike feel to it and makes for the perfect spooky story!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Written in Gaiman’s typical suspenseful and horrific style, this one follows a man who returns to his home to attend a funeral and events force to remember a dark, unlikely past. As we follow his own childhood world, his friendship with a possibly eternal girl and the magic and horror of the English countryside, this book feels like a lullaby that lulls you to death. Written in a glassy, dreamlike way, this one is sure to make you fall for Gaiman.
American Gods
This deeply unsettling fantasy fiction deals with Mr Shadow, whose wife dies mysteriously days before his release from jail. Next in a series of unexpected events, he meets Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a former God and the King of America. The duo takes a trip across the American continent, in a story where reality and fantasy collide and secrets threaten to spill. With brilliant conceptualization and unforgettable characters, this masterpiece is definitely worth a read.
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman’s wonderful knack for writing horror in an endearing way is evident in this novel, which follows Bod, or Nobody Owens as his real name is. He is an otherwise normal boy, except for the fact that he lives in the graveyard and has been raised by ghosts. The story takes unexpected twists and turns as witches, ghoulish lands and vampires. It is also available in audiobook form – and what’s awesome is that Neil Gaiman himself has narrated it.
Fragile Things
This is an anthology of Neil Gaiman’s most loved short Stories, all in one binding. In these, he deals with his usual subject topics and themes – horror intermingled with fantasy. Aliens, vampires, ghosts and witches all make appearances in these wonderfully crafted stories. However, Gaiman goes one step further in these beautiful stories and recreates iconic characters like Sherlock Holmes and the Matrix. They perfectly demonstrate the depth of Gaiman’s storytelling talent.
Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman’s attempt at recreating ancient mythology and making it accessible, enjoyable yet keeping it authentic is immaculate. As the title suggests, Gaiman brings to life the Norse gods with this one – from Odin to Thor and Loki. The brilliance of this novel lies in its characterization of the Gods – their flaws, ambitions and competitiveness. Gaiman’s fairytale like writing immortalizes these stories that have been told since the beginning of creation like no other’s.
Neverwhere
The title of this novel refers to a city called London Below that lies buried under London – a city that is full of surprises and magic. Here, monsters, saints, murderers, angels, knights and vampires co-exist. This novel follows Richard Mayhew, whose act of kindness transports him to this weirdly whimsical city and forces him to accept his destiny. This novel is not just a story, it is an immersive experience that will suck you in like a blackhole. It demonstrates Neil Gaiman’s caliber in creating high-concept fantasy.
Stardust
This story is filled with romance, a genre Neil Gaiman rarely includes in his novels. It follows two lovers – Tristran and Victoria – who are separated by a physical barrier between their cities. Our male protagonist, Tristran vows to bring her a star in order to be able to ask foer her hand. This fantasy romance is filled with Neil Gaiman’s quintessential writing style that his readers love.
M is for Magic
This collection of Neil Gaiman’s short stories offer a piece of his enchanting work that will endure on for years to come. They feature an innovative and unexpected cast of characters. These include Humpty Dumpty’s sister who hires a detective to investigate her brother’s murder, voracious eaters on a quest to eat the rare Sunbird and a customer who finds the Holy Grail for sale in a thrift shop. These eclectic bunch of stories include some that appear elsewhere, but are overall a wonderful introduction to his vast and wonderful work.
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