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A review by luluwoohoo
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
☀️☀️☀️☀️
A blisteringly funny, sharp and original novel that, to its detriment at times, has too many good ideas for one book.
Two talented writers collaborating on something so unique and satirical was always going to be special, and there's no disputing that Good Omens is special. The concept is simple but remarkably complex in its execution, employing a whole cast of characters who each play a small part in the apocalypse. I enjoyed the setup immensely but found the middle got too waylaid with less interesting characters, and the end being anticlimactic genuinely suited the arc but felt a bit lacking after the sluggish pace of the second act.
The writing is hysterically funny. Dry oblique humour is the backbone of this tale and it serves it well, shining a spotlight on humanity's weak spots with impeccable skill. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it nearly as much without the persistent undercurrent of mocking, well, everything.
Aziraphale and Crowley were undoubtedly the highlight from a character perspective, which is probably why I found the middle of the book lacking where focus strayed from them. The other support characters were well written and moderately interesting but the centuries old friendship was this books shining beacon of emotional connection, and I don't hesitate to say it would have been a stronger narrative with more time spent in their presence.
As a book I can confidently say this is well written and deeply intelligent in its assesment of humanity, but it held back a bit too much in emotional stakes and had too slow a pace to truly hook me in the way I hoped it would.
☀️☀️☀️☀️
A blisteringly funny, sharp and original novel that, to its detriment at times, has too many good ideas for one book.
Two talented writers collaborating on something so unique and satirical was always going to be special, and there's no disputing that Good Omens is special. The concept is simple but remarkably complex in its execution, employing a whole cast of characters who each play a small part in the apocalypse. I enjoyed the setup immensely but found the middle got too waylaid with less interesting characters, and the end being anticlimactic genuinely suited the arc but felt a bit lacking after the sluggish pace of the second act.
The writing is hysterically funny. Dry oblique humour is the backbone of this tale and it serves it well, shining a spotlight on humanity's weak spots with impeccable skill. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it nearly as much without the persistent undercurrent of mocking, well, everything.
Aziraphale and Crowley were undoubtedly the highlight from a character perspective, which is probably why I found the middle of the book lacking where focus strayed from them. The other support characters were well written and moderately interesting but the centuries old friendship was this books shining beacon of emotional connection, and I don't hesitate to say it would have been a stronger narrative with more time spent in their presence.
As a book I can confidently say this is well written and deeply intelligent in its assesment of humanity, but it held back a bit too much in emotional stakes and had too slow a pace to truly hook me in the way I hoped it would.
"Sometimes human beings are very much like bees. Bees are fiercely protective of their hive, provided you are outside it. Once you're in, the workers sort of assume that it must have been cleared by management and take no notice."