Tag: neil gaiman

“Reading Rainbow’ Hero to Read to us Live

Star of Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: Next Generation, and host of hit podcast ‘LeVar Burton Reads’, LeVar Burton, is hoping to livestream his readings to ease and entertain the minds of many.

In his podcast, Burton “invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story”, as he reads some of the best short fiction. ‘LeVar Burton Reads’ has a 5.0 star rating on Apple Podcasts, with over 10k reviews. One listener even stipulating that Burton’s podcast is “perfect to listen to during this crazy time in the world.”

 

Now, LeVar hopes to livestream his reads to the masses, as a way to distract and soothe anybody who may be distressed or anxious during this COVID-19 apocalypse *ahem* I mean, crisis. The main problem that Burton faces is acquiring short fiction for free, within copyright restrictions. In a heartwarming turn of events, and show of creative unity, author Neil Gaiman offered up his oeuvre to the actor and reader.

Gaiman was not alone in this offer, as many more jumped in to provide LeVar with the means, and creative license, to fulfill his wish of a livestream version of his popular podcast. HarperCollins offered LeVar access to their Children’s titles until the end of May, and those involved in organisations and genre groups have suggested their writers may also comply. Beyond the big names and the big five, independent writers have offered up their own work free-of-charge, and many fans have shared little-known free works such as many classic novels.

The community has truly come together to help with his project, and with any luck, LeVar’s livestreams will be available in the coming weeks.

feature image via wework

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Celebrating 18 Years of Coraline

“I don’t want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn’t mean anything? What then?” – Goodreads
Image Via Amazon

One of my childhood favorites, Coraline, is celebrating its 18th birthday. As a paranormal fiction, Coraline opened our eyes to escaping our dingy flats and entering a perfect world that was way more exciting than our own.

Moving into their new home, Coraline went exploring, finding that their new flat had “twenty-one windows and fourteen doors.” Thirteen of the doors can be opened, without the use of a key. But the fourteenth door is locked. One day Coraline unlocks the door and finds a passageway to a similar flat to her own. Everything seems marvelous until the other mother and father want to change Coraline and never let her go back home. Lost souls of other children have been trapped in the mirrors for many years. Their only hope is that Coraline can fight against her other family and save the children, her ordinary life and herself.

 

 

Although Neil Gaiman is well known for his adult literature, Coraline was the first children’s book that sparked the interests of children who enjoyed the mysterious and creepy stories. Critics enjoyed the book as much as children did, so much so, that Coraline was awarded the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella, 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella, and the 2002 Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers.

 

Image Via Syfy Wire

 

This wonderful childhood thriller was later adapted into a movie. The scenes were able to inhabit the storyline of the book through its contrast of colors and staying true to the emotions that outlay Coraline’s reality.

If you loved Coraline just as much as I did, check out Gaiman’s website for more of his wonderful tales.

 

Featured Image Via Den of Geek

 


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Neil Gaiman Producing ‘Gormenghast’ Adaptation For Showtime

 

Author Neil Gaiman has been involved in the adaptations of his own works, but now he will be joining the production team of an adaptation of someone else’s work.

 

Gaiman will join Akiva Goldsman and several others to bring The Gormenghast Series to life, with the show taking its title from the second book, Gormenghast. Originally a trilogy that later expanded after author Mervyn Peake’s death, it follows the inhabitants of Gormenghast castle, specifically the character Titus, who longs to know what life is like outside the walls of the castle.

 

Image Via Amazon

 

This type of story fits in well with Gaiman’s wheelhouse, which features the kind of high-fantasy mixed with odd humor that defines both Good Omens and American Gods. Gormenghast has originally been adapted by BBC. Gaiman talked about the other adaptation to Deadline and how his version will be different:

 

The joy of trying to describe Gormenghast to people is one where words will fail you and that’s why there have been people who wanted to film Gormenghast ever since Peake wrote the first book. The BBC once tried but they were all making it in times when depicting the impossible on the screen was too difficult. The great thing now is that we can make it and actually show it and take you there. We are now in a world where you can put the impossible on screen and with Gormenghast, you’re not just dealing with a castle the size of a city but dealing with these incredibly glorious and memorable people.”

 

 

Featured Image Via Slate

Sandman Artwork

Netflix and Warner Bros. Near Deal for Neil Gaiman’s ‘Sandman’

Neil Gaiman’s Sandman has been in talks to be adapted for years, and Netflix is nearing a deal to secure the rights from Warner Bros. TV and give us what we’ve all been waiting for!

The story was originally published in a series of comics released by DC Comics’ imprint, Vertigo, and it is set to have Allan Heinberg as writer and showrunner. Heinberg recently worked on Wonder Woman, a widely successful DC Comics adaptation, which should bring hope to the many of us who have been waiting for Sandman to come to life. Gaiman will executive produce with David Goyer.

 

Image Via GQ

Sandman was originally slated to be a film when it was announced that Vertigo titles were being adapted by New Line Cinema. Joseph Gordon Levitt was to direct and star, but he split over creative differences, placing the project on hold. Gaiman and Goyer were also set to work on this adaptation, and Gaiman even spoke about the adaptation being in the works at Comic Con.

With a second, and even better, chance at telling this story, it will just be one more addition to Gaiman’s list of TV adapted titles. American Gods is on STARZ, Good Omens is on Amazon, and Sandman will be joining Lucifer on Netflix. Whatever streaming service you use, you can find Gaiman and his stories.

What are your thoughts? Are you excited for the Netflix series or would you have preferred the theater experience? Let us know!

featured image via mpr news

There’s a Petition for Netflix to Cancel ‘Good Omens’ – Which Isn’t on Netflix

Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens is a darkly comical television series based on the novel of the same name. It tells the story of an angel and a demon teaming up to prevent the apocalypse. The book was adapted into a six-part miniseries and was met with positive reviews upon release. However, not everyone has responded to the series so warmly, and some are going so far as to try and cancel it all together.

 

Image Via Amazon

 

American Christian group Return To Order, a campaign centered around a book of the same name by John Horvat II, has started a petition to cancel Good Omens on the grounds that it is “another step to make Satanism appear normal, light and acceptable.”

 

Image Via Amazon

 

Among the complaints about the series are that God is voiced by a woman (Frances McDormand), the Antichrist is portrayed as a child and that the angel & demon are portrayed as friends instead of enemies.

 

There’s just one problem: the petition calls for Netflix to cancel the series, but it’s only available on Amazon Prime. This little oversight didn’t escape the eye of Neil Gaiman, who responded on Twitter in the best way possible.

 


As of right now, the petition has garnered a little over 20,000 signatures. Do you think the makers of the petition will correct their mistake?

 

 

 

 

Featured Image Via KCRW.