Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere
Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins
Browse Inside
ISBN 9780060557812

I first read this book a few years ago. I asked a friend, a manager of a bookstore, what her favourite books or authors were to expand upon my reading list. She recommended Stardust and Neverwhere, both by Neil Gaiman. Both became quick favourites though very different, and both had a lasting impression on me. This book is dark and disturbing; it mixes high fantasy with modern day woes. It is the story of Richard Mayhew, an office worker in London who meets a girl named Door, and suddenly his whole world is turned upside down. He discovers London Below, a place of enchantment, magic, and mythic creatures. He has been called upon to be Door's hero. Door's whole family has been murdered and when Richard encounters her, she has been injured. Just by stopping and paying attention to her, he is sucked into her world, and slowly drifts away from what we would call reality. This book is richly thrilling and full of detail. You will never think of London the same way again. And maybe never look at a street person the same way again either.