Book Review: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Richard Mayhew is a normal Londoner with an average job and life. He is engaged to a pretty (but bitchy) girl named Jessica and really likes where his life is going. Then on night on the way to a dinner with his fiancé's high profile boss, Richard stops to help a very dirty young girl who is passed out on the street. Jessica is so upset that she dumps him, but Richard won't leave the girl in danger. He takes her to his apartment to rest and the story begins. The girl's name is Door and she is a member of the Under London aristocracy. Richard is thrown into an epic journey in the city under the city, learning the real reasons behind the names of the underground tube stations. Door's family has been killed and their killers are chasing Door to finish the job all at the command of their mysterious employer. Richard and Door add a Marquise and a Hunter to their travelling band, and consult with an Angel. It's a very up and down fairy tale with plenty of gross details along the way.

I really enjoyed listening to Neverwhere, especially because it was read by the author and he is a very engaging reader. I particularly love the voices his does, lol. The story was basically a fairy tale for adults. It was quite dark subject matter, as is expected with Neil Gaiman, but always turned in a lighthearted and hopeful direction. The story was certainly never dull and I definitely recommend giving it a read (if you can stomach some nasty descriptions, lol). I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.