Neil Gaiman has truly done it all. From graphic novels, TV shows, and fantasy books, what can’t Neil Gaiman do? In his 62 years of life, Gaiman has made a striking reputation for himself in the creative world. But how exactly did this man from Southern England become one of the most well-known modern writers of our age? His story begins with a love that we’re all familiar with, the love of reading.
Gaiman Growing Up
Neil Gaiman was born in Portchester, Hampshire, England in 1960. Like many dignified authors, his creativity sparked from an early age. He began reading at four years old; two years younger than his counterparts. By the time he was ten, he was already completing complex series in a matter of days. Gaiman soon found a new interest in comic books during his teenage years, but the stories that inspired him the most during his youth were The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
These novels would lead Gaiman down a path of creativity, but he didn’t know where to start when it came to getting his writing out to the public. After completing high school, Gaiman began working for local newspapers to get some of his work published, but he never saw himself as a full-time journalist. It wasn’t until he read Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing, that he finally put his ideas onto paper, and focused on writing his first book. From that point on, Gaiman couldn’t stop coming up with fascinating ideas that would soon become worldwide sensations.
Because of Gaiman’s work, we’ve been gifted numerous fictional universes to get lost in. Gaiman has shown us all that you don’t have to be stuck in a single genre to make a stand or gain status. Expanding your mind and ideas only make you a better writer, and Neil Gaiman has certainly proved that thinking outside the box has its benefits. Just look at his list of awards, from the Carnegie Medal to the Bram Stoker Award, Gaiman is surely one of the greatest creatives of our lifetime. To showcase his talent, here are 5 of Gaiman’s most memorable works that will always stand the test of time.
1. American Gods
Published in 2001, American Gods was the novel that set Gaiman apart from other authors. Filled with mythology from countless cultures, this story is a unique masterpiece. The book was such a big hit with audiences, that eventually it was adapted as a TV series on STARZ for three seasons. The novel follows Shadow Moon and his journey with mythical gods, both new and old. After just getting out of prison, Shadow finds out that his wife was mysteriously killed in a car crash.
Looking for a new start, Shadow begins working as a bodyguard for “Mr. Wednesday.” This mysterious man takes Shadow on an adventure he’ll never forget. The mythologies Shadow once thought were just stories turns out to be entirely too real. In a battle between the modern gods, and the gods of ancient times, will anyone win? Or will the country simply become a battlefield for their war?
2. Coraline
Coraline is a story that we all know well thanks to its critically acclaimed stop-motion adaptation in 2009. While this dark, fantasy novel was meant to captivate children, it also gained admiration from adults as well. The novel became such a hit, that it earned a spot on the 100 best books of the 21st Century. Published in 2002, this story will give you all the chills and thrills that Neil Gaiman delivers in most of his work.
Coraline Jones has always been a curious kid. After she and her family move into a new house, Coraline can’t help but explore the place’s secrets. But after finding her way through a locked door, her curiosity takes her to a whole new world. Filled with colorful toys, wonderful food, and parents that give her all the attention she wants, why would she ever want to leave? However, once Coraline finds out the sinister intentions of the Other Parents, she makes it her mission to save herself, and the lost children trapped within the perplexing place.
3. The Sandman
The Sandman chronicles are a true testament to how much of a genius Neil Gaiman is. As one of his first comics/ graphic novels, Gaiman put all of his creative energy into this series. Like most of Gaiman’s projects, this thrilling tale was eventually adapted for TV just this year! Now streaming on Netflix, this story encapsulates all of the drama and tension that the original series contained.
The story begins with the attempted imprisonment of one of the most powerful gods, Death. But in the midst of confusion, the occultist who intended on capturing Death instead imprisons Dream, also known as Morpheus. For nearly 70 years, Dream is held for occult rituals until he finally escapes to the mortal realm. Now, with little power and authority, Dream is determined to reinstate his rule and find his lost objects of power. Along his journey, he meets other gods who help him realize that the world he thought he knew has changed in more ways than he ever realized.
4. Good Omens
If you’re in the mood for some comedic relief from all the dark fantasy, you’ll want to read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. While the idea of society coming to an end from a catastrophic apocalypse may seem a bit morbid and grim, Pratchett and Gaiman have created a humorous world where total annihilation is just the first of many problems. Good Omens became such a hit, that it’s now available on the big screen. Streaming on Amazon Prime with a star-studded cast of David Tennant and Michael Sheen as the compelling angel-demon duo, this story will have you laughing until the end of time.
Armageddon isn’t really an event that you can stop, but angel, Aziraphale, and demon, Crowley don’t want the world to end just yet. They’ve been here since The Beginning, and while they might come from different realms, they can both agree on one thing. Life on Earth is pretty nice. With the threat of the mortal world becoming ash any day now, this ragtag team is set on finding the lost Antichrist and convincing them to leave Earth alone for another day.
5. Neverwhere
The story of Neverwhere has stuck with audiences for decades since its release in 1996. In a twist of events, it was actually the BBC mini-series of the same name that inspired Gaiman to continue with the fascinating story. Previously cut scenes could now be included and elaborated on. Without the time constraint, Gaiman could expand on the major themes of the show, and give ample room for characters to grow and change. Since the novel came out, Gaiman has released other editions to include even more content. Gaiman is for sure a literary perfectionist.
Richard Mayhew prides himself on being a kind man in the tough city of London. But his latest act of kindness has tossed him into a world he’s never seen before. While trying to help a young girl bleeding on the street, he’s suddenly transported to Neverwhere, a complex city filled with angels, monsters, and everything in between. The girl that got him into this mess, Door, has vowed to seek vengeance on the people who killed her family, but she needs Richard’s help. If he ever wishes to return back to London, Richard will have to go on an adventure of a lifetime, let’s just hope he lives to tell the tale.
Neil Gaiman will be known as one of the most notable authors of our modern age. He makes careful and concise decisions about his characters, while allowing the reader to get sucked into his magical and mysterious worlds. With various projects under his belt, Gaiman has proved himself to be a master of creativity.
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