Neverwhere

While this fantasy/horror by Neil Gaiman is set in an alternate London underground, it’s somehow so similar to Stardust that it’s practically the same book. There’s the goblin market, the quest, the dangers, the unusual girl who turns out to be more special than the girl at home, the references to myths and fairy-tales, and the clumsy boy who becomes a hero. I really don’t like in most fantasy novels, and didn’t like here, the horror elements – how writers can spend so much time on such disgusting things I have no idea – but I liked the idea of the Underground reflecting historical and imaginative aspects of the real world. The language was reminiscent of Terry Pratchett but with a slightly more American flavour. Clever, interesting – but like the previous book, not particularly deep or moving, and so I doubt I’ll be seeking out other books by this author.