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    Anansi Boys
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    Anansi Boys
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    Anansi Boys
    Ebook436 pages6 hours

    Anansi Boys

    By Neil Gaiman

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    One of fiction's most audaciously original talents, Neil Gaiman now gives us a mythology for a modern age -- complete with dark prophecy, family dysfunction, mystical deceptions, and killer birds. Not to mention a lime.

    Anansi Boys
    God is dead. Meet the kids.

    When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed -- before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.

    Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

    Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

    Returning to the territory he so brilliantly explored in his masterful New York Times bestseller, American Gods, the incomparable Neil Gaiman offers up a work of dazzling ingenuity, a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth that is at once startling, terrifying, exhilarating, and fiercely funny -- a true wonder of a novel that confirms Stephen King's glowing assessment of the author as "a treasure-house of story, and we are lucky to have him."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateOct 13, 2009
    ISBN9780061794971
    Author

    Neil Gaiman

    Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning author and creator of many beloved books, graphic novels, short stories, film, television and theatre for all ages. He is the recipient of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and many Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner Awards. Neil has adapted many of his works to television series, including Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College. For a lot more about his work, please visit: https://www.neilgaiman.com/

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    Reviews for Anansi Boys

    4/5

    6,032 ratings269 reviews

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    • 1/5
      this book was like watching a really bad sitcom written by some dork who really loves myths and wanted to show it off. i don't remember much about this book other than that i was in a state of constant distress while reading it. not recommended at all, even if you like this jerks other work.
    • 4/5
      The premise: ganked from publisher's website: God is dead. Meet the kids.When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed -- before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.My Rating: ExcellentThere's really not a whole lot I can say about this book, other than I enjoyed it tremendously, which is not something I say often about Neil Gaiman's work. It's most definitely NOT a sequel to American Gods, so if that's what you're looking for, put it out of your head. It's also something of a comedic novel, with a sense of humor that's very tongue-in-cheek, and the narrative holds quite a bit of charisma that makes reading Anansi Boys an enjoyable experience. I love how the various plot threads all come together and how the various plots end up resolving themselves, because while some things I could see coming, I did get so engaged that I started questioning how the book would end, and that can be fun, especially in a book that has a comedic touch. You'll be good to go as long as you approach this expecting something lighthearted, as long as you KNOW this is NOT a sequel to American Gods and therefore don't make any unfair comparisons. It took me a long time to get around to reading this, but I'm glad I waited. My expectations were set just right, and I had a grand ole time with the book.Spoilers, yay or nay?: Nay. It's such a fun book to read that I don't want to spoil any surprises, so feel free to read the full review, which is linked to my blog below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome!REVIEW: Neil Gaiman's ANANSI BOYSHappy Reading!
    • 5/5
      Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and Anansi Boys did not disappoint.
      I have always loved folk tales from around the world and Mr. Gaiman did a great job of weaving Anansi stories into his story, much like the way russian dolls fit into one another. There were several surprises when reading this story which I will not give away. Overall an enjoyable read.

    • 5/5
      Charlie Nancy's father ruined his life. And he goes on ruining it even in death—dropping dead on a karaoke stage in Florida, forcing Charlie to go home, leaving his London refuge from his embarrassing parent to attend the funeral—right before his wedding. And even in death, he keeps giving Charlie embarrassing gifts, like the handsome stranger who turns up on his doorstep, once he's back in London, claiming to be Charlie's brother, Spider. In short order, Charlie's life is reduced to utter havoc—he's fired from his job, arrested for embezzlement, his fiancée is spending an awful lot of time with Spider, and Charlie has to go back to Florida and take a journey through the spirit world if he's ever going to get control of his life again. Not to mention having to defeat Tiger and prevent all the stories in the world being turned into brutal, hopeless Tiger stories...

      With Gaiman, as with Gene Wolfe and John Wright, it's not so much the story as how it's told—you go along for the ride and see where it takes you. Except for the marvelous command of the language, though, he's not really anything like them—his stories are much wilder and crazier, and even harder to predict. Partly this is because he's drawing on different mythologies—African and Native American, where Wolfe and Wright draw more on classical and northern European sources—but, mostly, I think that he's just a wilder and crazier guy.

      Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Working my way through the Gaiman canon, I have to say that this book was definitely on the less creepy side. I appreciated that. Anansi Boys has a kinda similar premise to American Gods: gods of mythologies walk the earth. This book follows Anansi's sons, Charlie and Spider. There was a bit twist in the second half that was fairly predictable, but still worthwhile and gave the book some extra layers of life advice in the end. Anansi has all the best prankster qualities that reminds you of the best dad jokes. I think that's what made Anansi Boys less creepy than other Gaiman works. Pranks always make things better. And stories. Anansi is the keeper of the stories, and this one was a great story.
    • 4/5
      Gaiman never disappoints. Love the words. Seem to have multiple potential endings--the one thing that seems to be an issue for me with Gaiman's work. The imagery at the end was particularly impressive.
    • 4/5
      I strongly suspect that reading this would would be very different from hearing it. Lenny Henry's narration was simply outstanding. This is the first book I've heard him read, but I truly hope it's not the last. Frankly, I think I'd pick up just about anything if he's reading/narrating it.

      Anansi Boys starts strong and stays rich and deep. Like in American Gods, the mythical and mundane dance together throughout. The characters, even the archetypes, have depth and texture. The plot makes extravagant promises which it fulfills nicely, with a generous helping of surprises at the end.

    • 3/5
      Very entertaining. Needs an extra half star. Easy to read but with good, solid content and well written and structured. Can't say much about it without spoilers.
    • 5/5
      I don't know why but I'd always though of Neil Gaiman as a young adult or children's author. But, of course, his books appeal to all level of audience. This is a reimagined story of Anansi the spider and his two sons.I really loved this book. I listened to the Audible audiobook and the narration was fantastic. Sometimes you get a narrator who is so in character that you are swept away by the story. And that was the case with this production.Along with his usual vivid storytelling and imaginings, this book is packed with likeable characters who are so different from one another that you don't even have a chance to get bored with any of them. The story is fast-paced and entertaining. Strongly recommend!
    • 5/5
      Anansi Boys is one of the most humorous and wonderfully crafted books I have read in ages. Neil Gaiman is in phenomenal form here and the book is like a dream combination of Robert Rankin's off-the-wall humor, Terry Pratchett's wit and Neil Gaiman's take on life, the universe and everything.

      There is not a single moment that I was bored or zoned out while reading Anansi Boys. Every single page is dripping with character and every sentence drags you onwards without pausing for breath.

      I can highly recommend this to anyone who is in any way in the slightest a Gaiman fan as well as anyone who is in search of a gripping, funny, serious, wonderful story of family, gods and fantastical stories.
    • 5/5
      Fun, fast read.
    • 4/5
      Fat Charlie thinks his life is completely in order and that he has left his embarrassing family behind. Then he discovers that his father has died. But more importantly the news that he has a brother, and that they are the sons of a god. Thus begins an intricately woven story that challenges Fat Charlie and his brother, Spider, pitting them against life, each other, love, and the elder gods as they struggle to find their places in the world as the sons of a (mostly) deceased god. This is a wonderful story with complex and engaging characters and imaginative myths recounting the exploits of the elder gods, including Anansi, the boys' father. Both boys must discover themselves and their heritage before they can find their places in the world. Gaiman builds on mythology he created for "American Gods" and if you enjoyed it, then this is a must read.
    • 4/5
      fun and fast
    • 4/5
      Funny, clever, heartwarming.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed reading this book, for the most part. Its a 'fun' read, but that's about all I can say about it. At points I found it just a little too light, considering how serious parts of it were. I also thought all of the characters were just a little bit shallow. Considering how much hangs on the specific nature of Charlie, Spider, Rosie and the others, they needed a bit more depth. Its definitely worth reading, but not really great reading either. I definitely enjoyed both American Gods and Stardust better, though I can't really explain why I like American Gods so much, I just do.
    • 4/5
      If you liked Gaiman's American Gods, you'll probably like Anansi Boys. Fat Charlie finds himself constantly overshadowed by his over the top father, who is almost always absent from Charlie's life, until one day... he dies. Charlie travels back home to attend the funeral and through a a series of events and conversations finds out that he has a brother that was mysteriously separated from Charlie at a very young age. So what does Charlie do but, er, proverbially drop him a line and have his world turned upside down. It's an exciting tale that taps into the same vein of thought that American Gods does and does so with different kind of flare.
    • 4/5
      I say this with the upmost respect, Neil Gaiman is quite possibly the greatest story teller of our generation. Not necessarily the greatest author, but reading his books are like sitting around a campfire. They are so fantastical. Anansi Boys may be my favorite so far. The tone and pacing were perfect. I flew through this book on the back of a spider.

      I would like to add that I both read and listened to this book. The narrator was awesome and really brought the characters to life.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful follow up novel for [American Gods].
    • 5/5
      Astounding in its wit and charm, "Anansi Boys" is a pleasant and whimsical departure from its predecessor.
    • 5/5
      When Fat Charlie's father dies he lIearns that he has a brother. A brother who is a god, just like his father, Anansi. And all he has to do to meet him is to tell a spider. Unfortunately for Fat Charlie Nancy ( who's not really fat) his ordered world is about to be turned upside down.Fun read, very well written.
    • 4/5
      Loved the humor and typical Gaiman uniqueness in story telling.
    • 4/5
      Anansi Boys follows Fat Charlie, though he does not like to be called "Fat Charlie", as he discovers the truth about his father and the brother he never knew he had. Charlie's life was quiet and, if truth be told, boring. He worked a boring job and had a pretty boring life. When his fiancee, Rosie, encourages him to invite his father to their upcoming wedding, Fat Charlie learns that his father is dead. Mr. Nancy's death becomes the catalyst for all of Fat Charlie's adventures. Mrs. Higgler, an old woman and Charlie's former neighbor, explains all about his family's history. Charlie is the son of a god only he did not get "any of that god-business". The brother that Charlie didn't know he had got all of the magic. She tells Charlie to ask a spider if he would ever like to meet this mysterious brother.Everything goes down hill from there. Fat Charlie's mysterious and magical brother, Spider, shows up to begin his relationship with Charlie, the brother he did know about!Neil Gaiman's novel is funny, witty, charming and exciting. The relationship between Charlie and Spider is comical and touching. The brothers' relationship reminded me of my relationship with my sister. They fight in a way that only siblings can. While the relationship between the brothers is prominent, the book follows several other storylines as well. The book includes a cast of characters, such as Rosie, Charlie's do-good fiancee, who doesn't seem to know which brother is her fiance; Grahame Coats, Charlie's boss who loves to speak in idioms; Maeve Livingstone, a client Graham Coats is swindling; Mrs. Callyanne Higgler, an old woman who knows a bit of magic and a lot about Fat Charlie's family.
    • 4/5
      Very good. Not as deep as American Gods, but moves more quickly.
    • 4/5
      Audio book, narrator was good, story was entertaining. Anansi is a name for Spider. This is about a god. The story is set in England, but also Florida and the Caribbean. It's kind of nonsense book of brothers and finding the right woman to marry.
    • 4/5
      Upon his father's death Fat Charlie Nancy learns he has a brother and following the seemingly nonsensical advice of an old friend of his parents asks a spider to tell his brother to get in touch. And the brother, Spider does. And Fat Charlie's life gets very much more interesting than he likes.
    • 3/5
      This is not as good as American Gods; it's a sort of prequel to that book. Still, Gaiman delivers another entertaining read.
    • 4/5
      Anansi Boys is not a sequel but I would recommend you read American Gods before you read it, just to get a good feel on Anansi. Its title is also slightly inaccurate. I wouldn't call Fat Charlie and Spider boys; they're grown men. This book was not as shocking or horrifying, more of a caper, and it actually reminded me more than once of a Terry Prachett book. It unsettled me less than AG did, but I'm not sure whether that's a good thing. For the most part it was, but there was less of that feeling one gets in the presence of things divine/not human.
    • 4/5
      I had never previously read anything by Neil Gaiman but had heard his books were distinctive. After reading Anansi Boys, I wholeheartedly agree. Based on Caribbean folklore, this book is a fantasy fable about two sons of the god, Anansi, one of which is unsure of himself and easily embarrassed while the other is self-confident, mischievous, and irresponsible. The two were previously unaware of each other, and as they get acquainted their lives become an adventure. It’s a fantasy set partially in the real-world and partially in another realm. There appear to be no boundaries as to what may happen. Humor is sprinkled throughout and offsets some of the darker segments. Themes include good vs. evil, the power of storytelling, and development of hidden talents. I found myself reading it as if it were a stage play. Recommended to anyone interested in imaginative stories, fantasies, fables, or myths. I found it unusual, extremely creative, and very entertaining.
    • 5/5
      Working my way through the Gaiman canon, I have to say that this book was definitely on the less creepy side. I appreciated that. Anansi Boys has a kinda similar premise to American Gods: gods of mythologies walk the earth. This book follows Anansi's sons, Charlie and Spider. There was a bit twist in the second half that was fairly predictable, but still worthwhile and gave the book some extra layers of life advice in the end. Anansi has all the best prankster qualities that reminds you of the best dad jokes. I think that's what made Anansi Boys less creepy than other Gaiman works. Pranks always make things better. And stories. Anansi is the keeper of the stories, and this one was a great story.
    • 4/5
      This book is billed as a sequel to American Gods but bears little resemblance to the former other than the theme that gods walk on Earth among men.This is the story of Charlie Nancy, Fat Charlie, who dislikes his father whom he regards as extravagant and irresponsible. Nancy is getting married, his fiancé wants him to invite his father to the wedding. This precipitates a road of discovery into his own past and his family, including an unknown brother.Charlie’s and his brother have an unusual relationship, uncomfortable, maybe untrusting, but grows as they are thrust together.Charlie is a rather weak character, both literary and his personal character. Not particularly likable, but his growth through the book changes him greatly.The writing is above average and is engaging. And the book is funny. There are only a few primary characters, interesting and mysterious, and Charlie meets a number of peculiar characters in his journey.