i totally get why people like this so much, and maybe should stop rating books that objectively just aren't for me. this is funny and well written, and probably really smart (if i knew enough about armageddon and revelations to know what i'm sure were references), but mostly just not for me. i did enjoy the first third or so but then it could hardly keep my attention, although i still did find some bits humorous throughout. i found that other than the humor (and the footnotes! i loved that there are footnotes in this!) i didn't find it terribly interesting or saying anything new, but maybe that's also because it's older? this was my first pratchett and i think my first or maybe my second gaiman, and i would read either of them again, if i ever get more turned on to fantasy. i think, though, that it's just not my thing. but it would seem like this is probably one of the better examples of what fantasy can do. ( )

I don’t think I enjoyed a book more in 2019 than I did reading this amazingly hilarious tale of angels and demons and the end of the world. I have so much love for this book, and it has honestly brought me so much joy as well. Every time I think about this book or the series based off it, I just can’t help but smile. It is a beautiful story that I wish I had read sooner.
The first thing that sold me on this book was the fact that it is written by two literary giants of our time – the late, great Terry Prachett, and the amazingly talented (and still alive, thank God) Neil Gaiman. The blend of their two voices and storytelling technique is honestly beautiful, with the way that they write blending into each other so seamlessly it’s honestly hard for me to tell sometimes who’s voice is coming through at that time. And that works perfectly for the story.
The second thing is the fact that I watched the series before I read the book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember the day really well, actually – it was a Friday and I had just come home from work. Bored, I decided to start a new series and realized that I had all the episodes for the series ready to go, but hadn’t watched them yet. I sat down and started the first episode and, before I knew it, it was a good seven hours later and I was finishing the series off. I was so engrossed in the whole thing that I couldn’t stop watching, only pausing to get more refreshments or go to the bathroom. It was then that I bumped the book up my ‘to read’ list because I genuinely knew that I would love it just as much. And I did.
The third thing is the fact that the book and the series are literally one and the same – I have never seen a more faithful adaptation of a book into a visual medium before (a close second is Patrick Süskind’s Perfume: The Story of a Murderer which I will cover one day on this blog). The series kept literally every aspect of the book intact, except for the minor detail that the series takes place in 2019 (or thereabouts) and the book takes place in 1999. But it was honestly a perfect telling of an already perfect book.
What makes it perfect, you ask? Everything about it. The fact that I couldn’t stop laughing all the way through reading the book, the way the plot bends and twists and makes itself so well-thought out, the characters who I love (every single one of them). The book has an air about if of being everything that a story needs without being too much of everything. What I especially loved, as a person raised Roman Catholic, is the interpretation of Armageddon and God Himself (or Herself, if we’re going by the series). I love the fact that heavenly beings and demons alike sometimes question the ineffable plan that God seemingly has for the universe, and whether it really should all be trusted to work out fine. I love how the characters are able to think for themselves and ponder their place in the story. And I love how easily the book, from the beginning, wrings you into their world and spits you out feeling so much better about everything, personally.
The only thing that, I felt, the book missed, was more interactions between Aziraphael and Crawley, which is something the series gave and I really enjoyed. I loved how the series showed different periods of history in which the two friends (or really, lovers, since it is technically canon according to Twitter) interact and their little comments about how humanity is faring at that time.
Basically, this book was one of the best things I ever read, and I highly encourage everyone to read it. I give it a full on 5/5, and honestly just go grab a copy. ( )

Man, I really don't think I do comedy.

I didn't find this book funny. Most of the characters are annoying. Every section including the horsemen, the Them, and Anathema is dull. There isn't much sense in the physics of anything either. Basically, I blacked out halfway through and couldn't finish. Obviously though, I'm in the minority. (I did enjoy the Crowley/Aziraphale sections though. Should have been the whole book. Oh well.) ( )

I'll be honest- I watched the show before I read the book. I've been meaning to read the book for several years now, and after watching the show I knew it was time. I absolutely loved the book (and the tv show)! As for the book to show translation it's perfect! There are so many things lifted verbatim out of the text and into the show, and it's just brilliant. Probably because Neil Gaiman was actually involved (and allowed to be involved) with the show's creation. I also loved the little differences, some of which made sense because of the fact that some things have to be cut for a film adaptation.
One thing I appreciated about the version I read is that it included interviews and notes written by the authors about the process and about each other. I found it very sweet and enlightening. ( )

Loved it the first second and third time I read this. Will no doubt love it just as much next time! ( )