Anansi Boys
Written by Neil Gaiman
Narrated by Lenny Henry
4/5
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About this audiobook
Soon to be a streaming series!
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, a tale playful, profound, and rife with mayhem and mischief―one of ten classic Gaiman works repackaged with elegant original watercolor art by acclaimed artist Henry Sene Yee
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. Because Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the stranger who appears on Charlie’s doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.
Neil Gaiman journeys deep into myth to brings us a tale playful, profound, and rife with mayhem and mischief—an audacious and inspired story of family, luck, deceit, and an unusual legacy that illuminates the divine in our humanity. Not to mention a lime.
“Awesomely inventive.… When you take the free-fall plunge into a Neil Gaiman book, anything can happen and anything invariably does.” —Entertainment Weekly
Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is the celebrated author of books, graphic novels, short stories, films, and television for readers of all ages. Some of his most notable titles include the highly lauded #1 New York Times bestseller Norse Mythology; the groundbreaking and award-winning Sandman comic series; The Graveyard Book (the first book ever to win both the Newbery and Carnegie Medals); American Gods, winner of many awards and recently adapted into the Emmy-nominated Starz TV series (the second season slated to air in 2019); The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which was the UK’s National Book Award 2013 Book of the Year. Good Omens, which he wrote with Terry Pratchett a very long time ago (but not quite as long ago as Don’t Panic) and for which Gaiman wrote the screenplay, will air on Amazon and the BBC in 2019. Author photo by Beowulf Sheehan
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Reviews for Anansi Boys
7,199 ratings321 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absotively Neil Gaiman-like. Only 5 stars because there was no 6th. What a delightful read!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Another wonderfully entertaining story by Neil Gaiman. Fun story. Great performance. Gaiman has yet to let me down.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Working 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.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I don't read much fiction, and I have quite a phobia about spiders. I would have bet real money that I would never read - much less enjoy - a work of fiction with even the most tenuous connection to spiders. I bought Anansi Boys as a gift for my nephew, based on favorable reviews in LT. Didn't have time to subject it to my usual 50-page test because Powell's was closing, but I thought I should at least preview it, to make sure it wasn't totally unsuitable. When I got it home, I carefully set aside the dust jacket, so I wouldn't mess it up (and so I wouldn't have to touch the drawing of a cobweb) and began to read. Instead of stopping at 50 pages, I read through the entire book in one weekend. This is even more unusual than reading fiction about spiders - I always have several books in progress, and usually read only a chapter before switching to something else. I did have two bad moments, when I turned a page and found a huge drawing of a spider. I barely managed to refrain from throwing the book across the room. Aside from that, this book was quite enjoyable. I will probably read another by Mr. Gaiman sometime - as long as spiders are not involved.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was such a great story! I loved it !
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great read! Highly recommend! Great backstory for Anansi from American Gods
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A fantastic story elevated even higher by an amazing vocal performance. Worth every minute!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful, gorgeous book and perfectly narrated. The narration and dialogue was so engaging and exciting. I love the interweaving of mythology and human life. Stunning!!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Another Gaiman book. I still can't quite reconcile myself around this author. He's still not my cup of tea but I think I've come to the point where there is something about his books that is charming in their own way. Maybe because they are so different than most other books I've read? If nothing else, they have certainly broadened my reading horizons :) It wasn't too long of a book however and it was on the list and I've been making a point of broadening my horizons, so it wasn't too bad in the end.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Please i want to download the slide..I was asked to sign up..I have done that but can't still download the slide..I have paid!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It didn’t sound interesting but I like Neil Giaman so I gave it a listen. It was well worth it. Another great Giaman audiobook.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life of Pi meets lion king kissed by Island voodo breezes.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Not only is this book amazingly well-written and interesting at every turn, this narrator is the best I've ever heard. The ability to go from 3 different accents and many different voices is beyond impressive
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It was an interesting story line and a mythology you don’t hear much about. I found the use of side characters full name and our main character being called “Fat Charlie” to be annoying. It jerked me out of the sorry every time it happened.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Narrator is amazing ?; Neil Gaiman as cheeky as ever
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everything. Excellent writing, awesome imagination. And funny too. Great work.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The story is a whimsical and beautifully written folktale. Made only more compelling/enjoyable by a charmingly expert narration.
Highly recommended.
@cezacherl - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing book, great performance by the narrator. Loosely related to American gods, but no need to have read first.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Weaves storytelling and mysticism into the modern world foibles of humanity as hilariously as only Gaiman can!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gaiman’s writing just sucks you in, and his narration is top notch!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gaiman 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Not what I expected but loved it! A sequel would be nice ?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is really good if you’re looking for a funny book to chill with read this
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The best stories are Anansi stories. Neil Gaiman is the best storyteller alive.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This full-cast performance in fabulous. The different voices flow well with the story, and each character is well cast. For someone without much time to read, this audiobook is a fabulous way to keep reading while working. This is an amazingly interactive experience, one of the best audiobooks I've listened to.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Best audiobook performance and story I've heard in a long time. Well done, you!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hands down, this is the best audiobook that I've had the pleasure to listen to.
JUST BRILLIANT.
I don't have anything bad to say about this... It was the best the best the best the best the best!!! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great spinoff of American Gods. Amazing performance by the reader.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Again, Neil Gaiman does not disappoint. His ability to weave amazing world's is stellar. This is not my favorite but still very well worth the time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was great. The narrator read it really well. It had fantasy elements which really complimented the story.