Neverwhere
13 journalers for this copy...
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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
I was happy to find this book inside the wrapping! It has been on my wishlist for ages. Although it´s not a genre I usually choose, this book came so highly recommended by several fellow bookcrossers, that I absolutely wanted to try. Looking forward to reading it! Thank you so much time-traveler, also for the very appropriate card. Have a wonderful Christmas, you too!
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.
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
Please sign my Guest map if you joined this ray
shippinglist
The final order has been juggled between geography, date of request, shipping limitations and other preferences.
Tsjara Netherlands=>Europe
bumbelbee Netherlands=>anywhere, pref. Europe
teggers UK => UK/Int'l
chas04 UK=>UK/Europe
katacs Hungary=>Europe
hakkalina Hungary=>Europe(outside if necessary)
folha-de-outono Portugal=>anywhere
bearyfriend Singapore=>Asia/Austr.
FrancesinSA South Africa=>anywhere<== 24th December
END OF RAY. The last reader is free to do with the book as s/he pleases.
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.
Released 15 yrs ago (2/18/2009 UTC) at to fellow bookcrosser, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Bumbelbee today. Enjoy!
I send the book on it's way to teggers today, so it should arrive shortly.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/11/2009 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
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.
Thanks for including me!
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.
Released 14 yrs ago (6/5/2009 UTC) at
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to katacs, next on the list.
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.
Released 14 yrs ago (7/14/2009 UTC) at a bookray, to the next reader -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to hakkalina. Jó olvasást! :)
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. :)
I let it fly to Portugal!
Thanks you were so patient towards me.
I received it a couple of days ago and I'm already on the first pages!
Thanks for sharing! :)
Anyway, thanks for sharing! :)
I have bearyfriend's address and the book will be sent this week.
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.
click here for RABCK forum
I will post this today to bekoh in Australia.
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.
Released 14 yrs ago (2/7/2010 UTC) at RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
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.
Not sure if I will be able to let it go soon myself.... ;)
Miki
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. ;)