Book Review - Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Synopsis:  Pratchett (of Discworld fame) and Gaiman (of Sandman fame) may seem an unlikely combination, but the topic (Armageddon) of this fast-paced novel is old hat to both. Pratchett's wackiness collaborates with Gaiman's morbid humor; the result is a humanist delight to be savored and reread again and again. You see, there was a bit of a mixup when the Antichrist was born, due in part to the machinations of Crowley, who did not so much fall as saunter downwards, and in part to the mysterious ways as manifested in the form of a part-time rare book dealer, an angel named Aziraphale. Like top agents everywhere, they've long had more in common with each other than the sides they represent, or the conflict they are nominally engaged in. The only person who knows how it will all end is Agnes Nutter, a witch whose prophecies all come true, if one can only manage to decipher them. The minor characters along the way (Famine makes an appearance as diet crazes, no-calorie food and anorexia epidemics) are as much fun as the story as a whole, which adds up to one of those rare books which is enormous fun to read the first time, and the second time, and the third time...

First Line:  "It was a nice day."

Random Quote:  "The other alien, which was stubby and green, had wandered off into the woods by the side of the road.  Out of the corner of his eye Newt saw it kick a tree, and then run a leaf through some complicated gadget on its belt.  It didn't look pleased."

Review:  I've been suffering from a sinus infection and feeling truly grotty so I decided to re-read Good Omens.  I needed a laugh.

Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove - Image via Wikipedia

It's easy to forget how good this book really is.  Aside from the great writing and amazing story it's also just laugh out loud funny.  This is not a book to read on public transportation unless you want to clear the area around you ... well ... maybe it is a good book to read on public transportation.  Great characters, great story, wonderful wordplay.

I love this book.

Reading Challenges:  Speculative Fiction Challenge 2010, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, Typically British Reading Challenge