About the Author

Neil Gaiman is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of books for children and adults whose award-winning titles include Norse Mythology, American Gods, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett), Coraline, and The Sandman graphic novels. Neil Gaiman is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College.

Reviews

"[Gaiman is] the folksy, witty, foolishly wise narrator to perfection."--Booklist (starred review)

"Another lovely story as only Gaiman can tell it; necessary and recommended."--Library Journal

"Deliciously compulsive . . . Grade: A."--Washington Post

"Delightful, funny and affecting . . . the literary equivalent of a hole in one."--Washington Post Book World

"Funny and subversive . . . Gaiman's mastery of language carries the reader through to a satisfying conclusion."--USA Today

"Gaiman hardwires his comedy of misrule with a crackpot energy that, when successfully channelled, lights up the imagination."--Sunday Times (London)

"Somehow manages to be both really scary and really funny at the same time."--Newsweek

"Witty and engaging."--Minneapolis Star Tribune

"[Gaiman] gives his flair for comedy free rein without losing his appreciation for the darker aspects of world mythology."--San Francisco Chronicle

Fat Charlie Nancy's normal life is turned upside down when his father dies and a brother he never knew he had shows up at his doorstep. When that brother, Spider, starts to wear out his welcome, Fat Charlie learns that his father was not a man but the trickster god, Anansi, and both he and Spider have inherited some of Dad's godliness. This leads Fat Charlie to explore his own godly heritage in order to be rid of Spider. Listeners of Coraline can attest that Gaiman is a fine reader, so any narrators who read his novels have a lot to live up to. Lenny Henry, however, is absolutely the perfect choice to read Anansi Boys-he not only has Gaiman's cadences and style down pat, but he also ranges his accent from British to Caribbean with ease and provides distinct and memorable voices for all of the characters. An absolutely top-notch performance, one that makes a terrific book even better. Simultaneous release with the Morrow hardcover (Reviews, July 18). (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Learning Activity: Select a folktale and write a short story based on it, creating new characters. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"[Gaiman is] the folksy, witty, foolishly wise narrator to perfection."--Booklist (starred review)
"Another lovely story as only Gaiman can tell it; necessary and recommended."--Library Journal
"Deliciously compulsive . . . Grade: A."--Washington Post
"Delightful, funny and affecting . . . the literary equivalent of a hole in one."--Washington Post Book World
"Funny and subversive . . . Gaiman's mastery of language carries the reader through to a satisfying conclusion."--USA Today
"Gaiman hardwires his comedy of misrule with a crackpot energy that, when successfully channelled, lights up the imagination."--Sunday Times (London)
"Somehow manages to be both really scary and really funny at the same time."--Newsweek
"Witty and engaging."--Minneapolis Star Tribune
"[Gaiman] gives his flair for comedy free rein without losing his appreciation for the darker aspects of world mythology."--San Francisco Chronicle