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Anansi Boys
Anansi Boys
Author: Neil Gaiman
One of fiction's most audaciously original talents, Neil Gaiman now gives us a mythology for a modern age - complete with dark prophecy, family dysfunction, mystical deceptions, and killer birds. Not to mention a lime. — Anansi Boys' God is dead. Meet the kids. When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charli...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780060515188
ISBN-10: 006051518X
Publication Date: 9/20/2005
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 190

4 stars, based on 190 ratings
Publisher: William Morrow
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Spuddie avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 412 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Modern fantasy book about Fat Charlie Nancy--who is not fat, but was so named by his now-deceased father. After his father's funeral, Charlie finds out that his father was actually a god, the trickster spider god Anansi. Not only that, Charlie learns he has a brother who is a demi-god. Spider comes into his life a few days later and Charlie begins to kick himself for ever being curious about him. In a few short days, Spider has gotten him in trouble at work, hauled in by the police, and has stolen his fiancee. I loved this book! Gaiman has such a creative spirit and a wicked, wacky sense of humor that comes through all throughout the book. A funny story that disguises real life lessons and deep things to think about in the humor and ridiculous imagery. A-plus!
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Another short and simple fairy tale along the mode of Stardust. I consider Gaiman's best novel to be American Gods and this semi-sequel (really more like a spin-off) shows his ingenuity. But his "fantasy world living along side the real world" is starting to wear a bit. His true talent is in short fiction and of course, his masterpiece, The Sandman. But he does need to expand on his plots. But, if your a fan, you could do a lot worse.
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I love Neil Gaiman's sense of humor. He has a special way of pulling a reader into his stories. This story was well written, perhaps a bit more far fetched than a typical fantasy/paranormal story, but full of humor, off humor, irony and emotional perspective.

This book isn't for everyone, but I recommend it.
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
it was good, but like a spin-off of American Gods somehow. I don't think that it was as "deep," thought provoking, or simply as good as some of his other stuff and it was a quick read. Still worth reading though.
technicolorfemale avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Unique, well written, suspenseful - definitely enjoyed it!
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althea avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 774 more book reviews
I got this book shortly after it came out, but I think I waited so long to get around to reading it because I had heard it described as a "companion piece" to 'American Gods' - and that book was, unfortunately, probably my least favorite of Gaiman's works.

Happily (for me), I didn't find the tone of this book to be similar at all. It's a very clever, funny book - with serious ideas thrown into the mix. Stylistically, as well as in its sense of humor, it reminded me more of Terry Pratchett than anything else Gaiman has done [with, of course, the exception of Good Omens ;-) ].
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 38 more book reviews
Ok. This book made me a Neil Gaiman fan! It is spectacular. It was crafty and hilarious. If you get a chance to listen to the audio version by Lenny Henry, I highly recommend it.
marauder34 avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 63 more book reviews
"Anansi Boys" is a brilliantly hilarious story of what happens when your father happens to be the trickster god Anansi, and he dies suddenly, leaving you even more embarrassed than ever, just in time for the brother you never met to come crashing into your life and make it even worse.

"Anansi Boys" is related to Gaiman's earlier novel "American Gods" ... and if you thought Odin was a treat, Anansi is light years funnier.)

In "Anansi Boys," the characters are so engaging and real that I was cracking up at the misfortune and bad luck Fat Charlie had to be the son of Anansi.
ladyofavalon avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 88 more book reviews
the sequel to American Gods. I love Neil Gaiman, and this book was awesome, but not QUITE as awesome as its predecessor. Still a fun read for fans of the author/genre.
reviewed Anansi Boys on
A very different tale, told in Gaiman fashion. That really is the only downside to this book. Gaiman is very verbose and while it is cute to an extent but after a while, it can get on your nerves. (It got on mine around pg 430 or so.) That being said, if you are a Gaiman fan, I would say that it is one of his best stories, creative, and comical. :-)
wiltinglilly avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 33 more book reviews
If you love Neil Gaiman, you will love this story. He has a distinct writing style that makes you feel like you're talking to your friend who is hilarious and strange but you love them anyway. Gaiman has the power to write fantasy stories that take place in our modern world but seem plausible. I loved it!
donnamig avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 16 more book reviews
This book is slow to get started, but once it does, watch out! This was my first foray into Gaiman's fiction and it was so satisfying that I've read several others since.
pommesdeterre8 avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on
awesome awesome book, love Anasi the spider stories!
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 3 more book reviews
Good Book. If you like American Gods, you will like this one as well.
PIZZELLEBFS avatar reviewed Anansi Boys on + 331 more book reviews
From Amazon:

Fat Charlie Nancy leads a normal, boring existence in London. However, when he calls the U.S. to invite his estranged father to his wedding, he learns that the man just died. After jetting off to Florida for the funeral, Charlie not only discovers a brother he didn't know he had, but also learns that his father was the West African trickster god, Anansi. Charlie's brother, who possesses his own magical powers, later visits him at home and spins Charlie's life out of control, getting him fired, sleeping with his fiancée, and even getting him arrested for a white-collar crime. Charlie fights back with assistance from other gods, and that's when the real trouble begins. They lead the brothers into adventures that are at times scary or downright hysterical. At first Charlie is overwhelmed by this new world, but he is Anansi's son and shows just as much flair for trickery as his brother. With its quirky, inventive fantasy, this is a real treat for Gaiman's fans. Here, he writes with a fuller sense of character. Focusing on a smaller cast gives him the room to breathe life into these figures. Anansi is also a story about fathers, sons, and brothers and how difficult it can be to get along even when they are so similar. Darkly funny and heartwarming to the end, this book is an addictive read not easily forgotten.
reviewed Anansi Boys on + 8 more book reviews
I enjoyed it because I love mythology, and even my 13 year old son read it and liked it. He was allowed to do a book report on it.

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