Dog Eared Publicity is pleased to bring you Neil Gaiman’s AMERICAN GODS, ANANSI BOYS, STARDUST and NEVERWHEREvirtual book tour November 7 – December 2!
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I am unable to post a review for American Gods today. I promise, as soon as I’m able I will. For those interested, here are the reviews I posted some time ago for Stardustand Good Omens. I hope you enjoy them…
And for today, I give you a special spotlight of the man who needs no introduction, author Neil Gaiman.
Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett), The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains; the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the story collections Smoke and Mirrors, Fragile Things, and Trigger Warning. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards, and the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. Originally from England, he now lives in the United States. He is Professor in the Arts at Bard College.Visit his website at http://www.neilgaiman.com
Newly updated and expanded with the author’s preferred text. A modern masterpiece from the multiple-award-winning master of innovative fiction, Neil Gaiman.
First published in 2001, American Gods became an instant classic, lauded for its brilliant synthesis of “mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose” (Washington Post) and as a modern phantasmagoria that “distills the essence of America” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). It is the story of Shadow—released from prison just days after his wife and best friend are killed in an accident—who gets recruited to be bodyguard, driver, and errand boy for the enigmatic trickster, Mr. Wednesday. So begins Shadow’s dark and strange road trip, one that introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own. For, beneath the placid surface of everyday life, a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and Shadow is standing squarely in its path.
“Pointed, occasionally comic, often scary, consistently moving and provocative….American Gods is strewn with secrets and magical visions.”—USA Today
“Original, engrossing, and endlessly inventive.”—George R. R. Martin
Next on the TBR list.
Title: Anansi Boys Author: Neil Gaiman
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Hardcover
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Neil Gaiman returns to the territory of his masterpiece, American Gods, to once again probe the dark recesses of the soul.
God is dead. Meet the kids.
Fat Charlie Nancy’s normal life ended the moment his father dropped dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn’t know his dad was a god. And he never knew he had a brother. Now brother Spider is on his doorstep—about to make Fat Charlie’s life more interesting . . . and a lot more dangerous.
“Thrilling, spooky, and wondrous.”—Denver Post
“Awesomely inventive.… When you take the free-fall plunge into a Neil Gaiman book, anything can happen and anything invariably does.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Delightful, funny and affecting…. A tall tale to end all tall tales.”
—Washington Post Book World
Read it, Enjoyed it! 😉
Title: Stardust Author: Neil Gaiman
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Hardcover
Now a major motion picture—this charming fairy tale by the #1 New York Timesbestselling author, weaves a magical story set long ago in the tiny English village of Wall, a place where things are not quite what they seem.
Go and catch a falling star . . .
Tristran Thorn promises to bring back a fallen star for his beloved, the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester—and crosses the wall that divides his English country town from another, more dangerous world of lords and witches, all of them in search of the star. Rich with adventure and magic, Stardust is one of master storyteller Neil Gaiman’s most beloved tales.
“Eminently readable—a charming piece of work.”
—Washington Post Book World
“Beautiful, memorable . . . A book full of marvels.”
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Excited about this one.
Title: Neverwhere Author: Neil Gaiman
Release Date: November 29, 2016
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Hardcover
National BestsellerSelected as one of NPR’s Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of All TimeThe #1 New York Times bestselling author’s ultimate edition of his wildly successful first novel featuring his “preferred text”—and including his new Neverwhere tale, “How the Marquis Got His Coat Back.”
Richard Mayhew is a young man with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. His small act of kindness propels him into a world he never dreamed existed. There are people who fall through the cracks, and Richard has become one of them. And he must learn to survive in this city of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels, if he is ever to return to the London that he knew.“A fantastic story that is both the stuff of dreams and nightmares” (San Diego Union-Tribune), Neil Gaiman’s first solo novel has become a touchstone of urban fantasy, and a perennial favorite of readers everywhere.“Delightful … inventively horrific.”
—USA Today
William Morrow is giving away a (5) sets of American Gods, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere and Stardust!
Terms & Conditions:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
Five winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one set of all 4 books
This review will consist of me asking myself 10 questions and answering them to the best of my ability.
1. What is this film about?
This movie tells the interconnecting stories of two children’s programming entertainers. Rainbow Randolph is on his way due to bad behavior and Smoochy, a Barney look-alike, is about to be discovered.
I’d classify this film as a dark comedy and perhaps even a satire about the way things are, could be, and should be when it comes to the entertainment industry and children’s programming. I choose to review this movie for three reasons.
–1. I never dealt the matter of Robin William’s death for myself. As a movie lover and kid at heart, I appreciate the years of entertainment he provided allowing me to grow and develop my tastes and understanding of different kinds of comedy.
–2. Every time I thought about reviewing some of William’s greatest works, I admit, it made me cry because of the way he left us all. So, not wanting to back down on my plan to review something of his, I settled on Death to Smoochy. Nothing about this film makes me want to cry.
–3. I really wanted to review something quirky or perhaps little know. I think I hit the jackpot with this one.
2. What did I think of the title, poster, and or trailer?
I’ve seen two different posters for this movie and neither one really does anything for me; they’re okay. As for the title, is it bad that I really like it? I mean, you know up front, there will be a matter of death in some capacity and when paired with the poster; you can pretty well determine there will be some uncomfortable laughter involved. I never saw the trailer before watching the movie, but have since. It gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re going to see.
3. What did I think of the main character(s) and how the actors performed them?
Okay, what I’m about to say next may not seem like a big deal, but for me it’s painful. While Robin Williams is always entertaining, I felt like he did quite a bit of overacting in this role of Rainbow Randolph. Don’t get me wrong, he hit the mark quite a few times with great one-liners, the portrayal of a mentally unstable person, and even delivered one scene of poetic sorrow that really tugs at your emotions…but then he followed it up with a slew of obscenities and sexual innuendoes.
I loved Ed Norton as Sheldon/Smoochy and Catherine Keener and Nora. It was so amusing to see the conflict of wholesome vs. bitter turn into something more between these two characters by the end.
Then there are the smaller parts and bit roles played by Jon Stewart, Danny DeVito, and Michael Rispoli. I think they all did a nice job playing the parts they were given, but on the whole, everyone had their over-the-top moments when less would have been just fine.
4. What did I think of the direction and cinematography?
Well, since Danny DeVito directed this movie you can probably guess that I had some issues with the way it was filmed. For the most part, I loved the interaction between the characters, but the depiction of New York seemed a bit cartoonish. I think everyone knows by now that New York can be more than a little gritty and harsh, but to emphasize that with shadows, poorly lit rooms, and dark alleys and tunnels was a bit much.
Considering all that, DeVito actually made it work. I know it sounds like I’m contradicting myself, but it’s true. Everything over-the-top, shrouded in darkness, and packed with awkward angles and props made this adult cartoon-like movie work, but I wouldn’t call it genius by any means.
5. What did I think of the soundtrack and score?
This movie has a fun soundtrack. It’s a mixture of popular music, classical, and original songs, which I can’t deny, just make me laugh. I keep thinking of “My Stepdad’s Not Mean”; you’ll have to see the movie to get that reference. It’s one of the original songs. Whenever a movie ends with “Your Love is Lifting Me Higher”, it’s hard for me to walk away feeling dissatisfied.
6. What did I like about the story as a whole?
I liked the way most of the characters with all of their diverse backgrounds and personal tastes, in the end, really did want to do what was best for the kids, even if greed and personal vendettas kept getting in the way. It’s not an easy or clear message to pull from the action of the movie, but I think the overall message is a positive one. There are good people out there trying to make a different; they have so much going against them.
7. What did I not like about the story?
I did not care for the overacting, the excessive use of the “F” word, and all the unnecessary sexual jokes. Comedy and sexuality definitely have a place in programming made for adults, but some of this was just too much and very silly.
8. Would I recommend this movie to others?
It depends. On the whole, as an adult, I actually liked this movie. I admit, that part of this probably stems from my disdain of the original purple dinosaur Barney. However, by the end of the movie, I couldn’t help but root for Smoochy. That doesn’t mean others will feel this way.
9. If yes, who? What would I rate this movie?
This is a special kind of dark comedy for a special kind of movie viewer who “gets it”. I could see some of my teacher friends liking this, while I know others would be appalled by it. So far, the few no-child couples I’ve shared this with have liked it.
On a scale of 1 to 5 movie reels, I give this film 4 reels, but only because I don’t really do halves and 3 is just too low.
10. Was there anything in this movie that could be related to me or anything I have written?
I haven’t written anything like this and don’t plan to anytime soon. Comedy just isn’t my thing, even though I really enjoy it. I have been told, however, that I have a way with writing disturbing things, and this movie is a little disturbing…Just a little.
MOCK! and The Armchair Squid are proud to introduce Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society. Each month, on the second Friday, we shall host a bloghop devoted to a particular movie. We invite others to watch the same film and post their own reviews…Don’t be shy; come join the fun! 😀
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
Mercury Falls (Mercury Series #1) by Robert Kroese
I give this book a 4.
I must start off by saying that this book isn’t for everyone, but if you have a good sense of humor it’s worth your time.
Here you meet Christine, a journalist having second thoughts about her career choices, as she heads out to cover yet another apocalyptic cult story. Soon near death experiences begin to follow her around like mosquitos to which you’d think the angel, Mercury, she picks up along the way would at least try to swat away from her. It may take a while to get everyone involved, and I’m talking a lot of “people”, on the same page, but at least before long Mercury decides to help Christine as she tries to thwart the coming Apocalypse.
This book tells the story of the coming Apocalypse that gets wrapped up in red tape and sits in a holding queue of bickering egos, but that’s probably over-simplifying things. On the surface, it seems that this story will have you questioning faith, but it goes far beyond that. It has you questioning everything with any kind of assumed order. I feel like this book is making fun of every major aspect of modern society, not just religion. Not all the issues of concern are as obvious and developed as others, but there are hints of issues concerning: faith, religion, government, relationships, media, legal systems, education, social standards, and even a barely mentionable jab at race.
The main reason I didn’t give this book a 5 was because there were too many times when I had to re-read a passages just to be sure I clearly understood what I read. The text is complex and the dialog is heavy, but I still liked it.
I just don’t know if social satire is quite the term to sum this up, but it’s all I have for the moment. This book is very funny and would recommend it to adults with a good sense of humor, but if you are sensitive to ideas that question “the system” or religion, you might want to pass.
This review has been posted to GoodReads. If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try this link.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
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