Just finished reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. His work is what I would describe as modern fantasy fiction. So far I just have American Gods and Neverwhere to base this off of. His setting is the modern day world, but with a twist of the supernatural, magical, or otherwise fantastical. After reading two of his works, they seem a bit formulaic, but still very enjoyable. The everyman encounters a person who ends up being from a secret fantastical world unknown to the rest of us and gets sucked in to this realm whether they like it or not.

His main character here, Richard Mayhew, seemed to me just based on Gaiman’s photo and Mayhew’s description to be an alter ego or version of the author. That may just be me though. Set in London, there is “London Above” that we all know, and “London Below” a world in the sewers, the tube, and other underground areas populated by those who have slipped through the cracks: the homeless and penniless.

It’s a fun read for anyone who enjoys fantasy, and the unique setting is very enjoyable. Gaiman hits on a recurring theme of believing in something enough that it becomes real. Sounds good to me.