Journal Entry 1 by time-traveler from Westchester, New York USA on Saturday, November 01, 2008

I purchased this from amazon to send to my BC Secret Santa buddy, bestfriends. I was thrilled to see it on bestfriends' wishlist because it is one of my favorite books! Merry Christmas to you and your family, bestfriends :)

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These were my comments from a journal entry for this book when I read it in October 2005:
THIS WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST BOOK I READ THIS YEAR! I would give it 15 stars if I could. Neverwhere is described as 'imaginative, well-crafted, [and] highly visual,' and that is so true. I felt I was there, on the adventure with Richard, Door and the rest of them. The character development was excellent...I did not want this book to end. I'm so glad I took my time with it.

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I mailed this today to bestfriends in Belgium. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

"Don't ever apologize to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that's what they're there for. Use your library). Don't apologize to this author for buying books second hand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend's copy. What's important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read... "
— Neil Gaiman</font 

Journal Entry 2 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Sunday, November 30, 2008

Journal Entry 3 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Saturday, January 10, 2009

"Every now and then try to read a book in a genre you don't like, sometimes you are in for a pleasant surprise."

Well, I happen not to like SF/fantasy (and especially alternate worlds) in literature. This book came so highly recommended though, that I put it on my wishlist.
Unfortunately this time I was in for a disappointment. The story started interesting enough, but it left me waiting for that moment that it would really draw me in or for a turning point. It did not happen! I started skipping whole paragraphs, then whole chapters, hoping the moment was still to come. Sometimes that works for me. Sorry to say, not in this case. I finally abandoned it before I finished it. Fantasy is just not my cup of tea.

This book is on many other wishlists too. It won't be that hard to find a new home where it is more appreciated.
 

Journal Entry 4 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Saturday, January 10, 2009

Will announce a ray today here to see if there is any interest.

Book description:

Under the streets of London there's a world most people could never even dream of. A city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, and pale girls in black velvet. Richard Mayhew is a young businessman who is about to find out more than he bargained for about this other London. A single act of kindness catapults him out of his safe and predictable life and into a world that is at once eerily familiar and yet utterly bizarre. There's a girl named Door, an Angel called Islington, an Earl who holds Court on the carriage of a Tube train, a Beast in a labyrinth, and dangers and delights beyond imagining ... And Richard, who only wants to go home, is to find a strange destiny waiting for him below the streets of his native city.

The ray will start in Europe but may go Int'l if possible. It's a paperback edition, 388 pages, weight: <250 g (a little over 7 oz.)

Please:
• make a journal entry when the book arrives
• try to read it within a month
• PM the next on the list* to ask for his/her address
• make a journal entry when finished to let us know what you think about the book (short review)
• wrap it up well and send** it to the next on the list. Mention the date in your last entry or make a release note. Please don't skip anyone without having tried everything to get the address (including an ISO in the forums).
• PM me in case of any problems/unforeseen delay.

* You will find the mailing list in this JE of the book. Hint: Ask for the next address before you've finished reading; some people are difficult to contact. Please don't skip anyone without letting me know.
** surface/economy mail is fine

Journal Entry 5 by bestfriends at Jalhay, Liège / Luik Belgium on Saturday, January 17, 2009

Released 4 yrs ago (1/17/2009 UTC) at Jalhay, Liège / Luik Belgium

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Journal Entry 6 by Tsjara from Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, January 22, 2009

Arrived here today, I look forward to reading it. Thanks bestfriends for sharing and sending the book :) 

Journal Entry 7 by Tsjara from Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I loved it! Couldn't put the book down, and I thought the ending came far too soon (there were some pages left, so I thought the ending was further away...)
I have read 2 other books (Stardust and Anansi Boys) by Neil Gaiman, and I have enjoyed all of his books so far. They all have the same sort of theme, about a young man who, through his adventures, changes and becomes a man (or something like that). And the adventures are always very exciting.
I did wonder why Richard (the protagonist) would want to go back to his boring, normal life in London Above, if you could have a life full of strange and exciting adventures in London Below (I don't think I would want to go back).

I have the next participants address, and will probably post the book tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 8 by Tsjara at to fellow bookcrosser, post office -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Released 4 yrs ago (2/18/2009 UTC) at to fellow bookcrosser, post office -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to Bumbelbee today. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 9 by bumbelbee from Haarlem, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, February 20, 2009

I received the book yesterday and have started reading right away (I couldn't wait to begin). Thans again for starting this ray bestfriends! 

Journal Entry 10 by bumbelbee from Haarlem, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, March 05, 2009

I really enjoyed reading this book, I've read several books of Neil Gaiman and I think Neverwhere is a new favorite. It combined the best out of Stardust and American Gods. I found the latter sometimes a bit too grim and Stardust was too much of a fairytale for my taste. But Neverwhere was the perfect combination, on the one grim, but yet funny and magical. I couldn't put the book down and I was a bit disappointed when it ended. But then again, all good things must come to an end...

I send the book on it's way to teggers today, so it should arrive shortly. 

Journal Entry 11 by teggers from Mansfield, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Came in the post yesterday. I have a few books to get through before I can start reading it, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for offering this ring. 

Journal Entry 12 by teggers at BOOK RING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, May 11, 2009

Released 4 yrs ago (5/11/2009 UTC) at BOOK RING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

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Sent off to the next person in the ring. I may not have had a chance to read it but I hope you enjoy it. Happy Reading. 

Journal Entry 13 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Received in the post today, got one to finish then I'll start this one.

Thanks for including me! 

Journal Entry 14 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 24, 2009

I used to have dreams like this, running down tunnels etc. What a great book.

Poor Richard Mayhew gets sucked into the amazing and slightly frigtening world of London Below. A very clever world although it's very clear from reading it that it was aimed at an American market, explanations of things that most people who live in Britain are fully aware of became a little bit condescending at times!

Anyway, I shall ask katacs for their address and send the book on its way. 

Journal Entry 15 by chas04 at on Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (6/5/2009 UTC) at

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Sending to katacs, next on the list. 

Journal Entry 16 by katacs on Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Arrived today. The package was in a bad shape, but the book is fine. Thanks for sharing this book with us, bestfriends!

07.13. I didn't like this one. Actually I think it is pretty boring. It took me two weeks to finish it despite of its shortness. 

Journal Entry 17 by katacs at a bookray, to the next reader -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (7/14/2009 UTC) at a bookray, to the next reader -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to hakkalina. Jó olvasást! :) 

Journal Entry 18 by hakkalina from Budapest, Pest Hungary on Saturday, July 18, 2009

I got the book today, although officially it arrived on Friday, but I had no time to go to the post office to take it over. It is the very 1st time when I got book from a Hungarian Bookcrosser!! :-) It is a wonderful feeling!
Köszönöm (=thank you) Katacs. :)

Update: 2009.08.10.
Found many unknown words in it which sometimes makes me no longer in the mood for reading, thus my progress is a slowly one.

Update:2009.08.24.
No. I gave up. I read the half of the book, and since I liked the story so I skipped some and more pages, then read the end to know what had happened before. Sometime I will try again. :)
 

Journal Entry 19 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (8/25/2009 UTC) at Budapest, Pest Hungary

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I let it fly to Portugal!
Thanks you were so patient towards me. 

Journal Entry 20 by folha-de-outono on Thursday, September 03, 2009

The book is here!
I received it a couple of days ago and I'm already on the first pages!

Thanks for sharing! :)
 

Journal Entry 21 by folha-de-outono on Monday, September 28, 2009

It was ok at the beggining. It captured my attention and my interest... but at some point, it started to bore me a little. Perhaps because I'm not the biggest fan of fantasy books. I knew that all along, but I wanted to give a try...

Anyway, thanks for sharing! :)

I have bearyfriend's address and the book will be sent this week.
 

Journal Entry 22 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Thursday, November 05, 2009

Book arrived, thanks. Happened that the author was here just last week participating in the Singapore Writers Festival with his girlfriend Amanda Palmer. Read that tickets to their events were all sold out. Never read his books before, came to know about him only from his latest Graveyard book at Borders. Will see whether I like it. Who knows maybe the next time he comes I will be there queuing for his autograph. 

Journal Entry 23 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Thursday, November 26, 2009

I'm starting today Friday being a holiday here and in a reading mood. Jneni has asked to be skipped, so will pm the next in line when I'm done. Very fun read so far, a mix of Harry Potter and Aladdin... will review more. 

Journal Entry 24 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Friday, November 27, 2009

Interesting Adventures and Imagination. I'm amused with a stall at the night market selling junks, garbage, trash, debris and everything you know you want; even dreams and sweet nightmares in bottles. If the book ever goes on big screen, I think Johnny Depp will be best suited to be the Marquis; and my image of Angel Islington was Lady Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) in LOTR. And also the court held in the train carriage reminds me of a Magnum ice-cream TVC, with Eva Mendes walking into a carriage welcomed by a Victorian-attired cast. Will send book on once I receive mailing add from CatElise. Have pm'd her...waiting.

Update 02-Dec:- No reply from Australia, and Samutsari also asked to be skipped due to some postal system problem, thanks to her for her quick response. Received FrancesinSA's add, sending book out tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 25 by FrancesinSA from Sasolburg, Free State South Africa on Thursday, December 24, 2009

This book arrived today - Christmas Eve! Thanks bearyfriend, for sending it to me - you always protect your books so nicely. It looks like this book has been travelling for some time. Merry Christmas to you all. 

Journal Entry 26 by FrancesinSA from Sasolburg, Free State South Africa on Thursday, December 31, 2009

I have never read or even heard of books by Neil Gaiman before but since I've had the book, his name has been popping up all over bookcrossing. This is not the kind of book that I usually read but I enjoyed it. I didn't think that Richard would do what he did at the end. This book made me grateful for my normal, quiet life. Thanks for this bookring! 

Journal Entry 27 by FrancesinSA from Sasolburg, Free State South Africa on Friday, January 22, 2010

Journal Entry 28 by FrancesinSA at Vaalpark, Free State South Africa on Thursday, January 28, 2010

Released 3 yrs ago (1/28/2010 UTC) at Vaalpark, Free State South Africa

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I will post this today to bekoh in Australia. 

Journal Entry 29 by bekoh from Fern Bay, New South Wales Australia on Friday, February 05, 2010

Thanks FrancesinSA - this has been on my wishlist. Its going to the top of my TBR & then straight back out there to another bookcrosser. 

Journal Entry 30 by bekoh from Fern Bay, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, February 07, 2010

I like sci-fi/fanatsy and really enjoy a good "quest" story and I LOVED this book. It was sharp & funny and magical and the characters (even the minor ones) were fascinating. I really enjoyed following Richard's transformation from a rather dull office worker into the man he became. I wasn't surprised one bit he did what he did at the very end (I would have been disappointed if he hadn't).

I devoured this book in one day and now I'm torn between sending it on or putting it into my permanent collection for many re-reads. 

Journal Entry 31 by bekoh at Birthday Buddy, Birthday present -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 08, 2010

Released 3 yrs ago (2/7/2010 UTC) at Birthday Buddy, Birthday present -- Controlled Releases

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I loved this book so much I was going to keep it but then I thought that a Birthday Buddy present to Miki was a better idea. 

Journal Entry 32 by mikime from Roma, Lazio Italy on Friday, March 19, 2010

I got this as a birthday present ...thank you so much bekoh!!! I read this book in Italian ages ago, it was my first Gaiman's book. I was just thinking it was high time to get it in the original language. :)
Not sure if I will be able to let it go soon myself.... ;)

Miki 

Journal Entry 33 by mikime at Roma, Lazio Italy on Thursday, March 21, 2013

I finally found the right occasion to re-read this amazing novel by Neil Gaiman, the occasion being the new radio adaptation that is going on on BBC Radio 4 these days (amazing adaptation and wonderful acting by a dream cast, by the way).
It's a great story, mixing London above & below historical places and famous monumets/streets/bridges etc. with pieces of legends, myths, fantasy & nightmares, in a journey of self-discovery as much as of discovery of a mysterious, hidden-under-our-nose world. Fascinating, memorable characters and brilliant plot turns and developments. Looking forward to any kind of sequel, if ever the spark strikes. ;)