Book Discussion: Good Omens - CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Here those of us who read the ending first can talk about it. Or if you read it really fast and want to talk about how... well, you know...

I read it earlier this year, so I am raring to go. Ok, for starters, the prologue with the the angel and the demon in the beginning really hooked me. I am not a LOL person as a rule, but even I chuckled. I love it that Crowley and the Angel are essentially under the same management (sort of) and that later in the book they are compared to long term intelligence assets in that they have more in common with each other than with their superiors and that they will do errands (good and evil) for each other to save travel time. This just cracked me up.

The chemistry between Crowley and Aziraphale is one of the key elements to this, as far as I'm concerned. There's a reason they end up on TVTropes' HoYay list.

I agree WillSteed. In fact, in thinking of the other relationships in the book and the other plot strands, the interactions between Crowley and Aziraphale are some of my favorite parts. Though I will back down on that a little bit as I liked the teasing of the dour old witch hunter and his kindly, jolly landlady as well. Sorry that I am blanking on the names, my copy of Good Omens is in my son's room as I have been trying to get him to read it.

I also liked the comedy of trading the babies. As I still haven't seen The Omen, is there a related joke here?

I haven't seen the movie either, and I don't think even knowing it has Lee Remick and Gregory Peck is going to chang my mind. Could someone post a synopsis including the ending, since this is the spoiler thread?

five posts and nobody's mentioned Aziraphale's bookshop. Would that not be heavon on earth?

Yes, but it sounds like it's even harder to get into than the official one.

So this was the review I wrote for Good Omens, and I really do feel that the feel of this book is much like that of the "Myth-Adventure" Books, although with a slightly more grown up feel to it.

"This was my first introduction to both Gaiman and Pratchett. I loved it! Laugh-out-loud-punny, these authors, together, reminded me much of Robert Aspin's Myth-Adventure series. At no point did I ever feel as though I was missing out on some giant cosmic inside joke. Perhaps one the greatest, judge-a-book-by-it's-back-cover selections I've ever made.
I've moved on to many more of the Gaiman novels and a few of the Pratchett and highly recommend this as a starter to both of them."

Okay.. so this is funny... I miss read the comment about the The Omen movie and was going to post "How in the Holy-heck are they going to do a movie?!??! I guess Gilliam will have to direct." AND then I reread the post and deleted my silly out of context comment AND then I went to the wiki-post for the book for a synopsis and um.... well, here's the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Omens

Here's a link to a full synopsis of The Omen (1976): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075005/synopsis

#3
Totally!

#8
Yeah, there's been interest for a while in a film version with Gilliam directing, which would be really cool, I guess. But totally crazy to do. I can't imagine how they would fit everything in it.

But then, as usual, there are the casting choices. Who do you think would make a good Crowley? Aziraphale? Anathema?

I had a crazy idea for a moment that Robert Downey, Jr. could play Crowley. He's got the devilishly handsome look of a dandy and all... only he's not British.

Then there's this guy, probably too old... I was just watching Torchwood: Children of Earth last night, and the guy who played the Home Office secretary was brilliant. And then I found out he played the angel in another Gaiman production: the Neverwhere miniseries (which I haven't seen btw, and I must.)

Who would you cast?

He's not British, but he has successfully played Brits before. Then again an actual Brit would be better.

I'd like to see Gary Oldman as Crowley. As for Aziraphale, the role seems just perfect for Stephen Fry (Thinking about it, why not Hugh Laurie as Crowley, to reunite the two?).

How funny! A couple of years ago my best friend and I were discussing who should play Crowley and Aziraphale. Here are my choices at the time:





(That's Johnny Depp from Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Anthony Stewart Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

Anthony Head works well, but Jonny's too rebelious looking - Crawly is all swave and sophisticated.

#7 - I used to know a bookshop just like it, very sadly it closed many years ago. Never found the dusty tomes, but it had narrow allies between vast unorganised piles of books everywhere, and was much bigger on the inside than it appear.

I forgotten how much I enjoyed this, and I'm only a little way in. It does send up the English remarkably well. Mr Young's specific church he avoids going to, because of the slightly suspicious smells in the others. (and Crawly's M25)

Can anyone tell what was written by Gaiman and what by pTerry? I can't. Yet they both have distinctly different styles when writing on their own.

#12
Ohhhh I fully, fully support the Fry & Laurie proposal!!! That'd be just perfect.

#13
Seriously, no offense, but I'm afraid I'm going to get sick of Johnny if he keeps getting proposed for every role under the sun. :( Don't get me wrong, the man's a genius and I love him, but still... I do love Anthony Head for Aziraphale, he already has the librarian cred.

#14
it had narrow allies between vast unorganised piles of books everywhere, and was much bigger on the inside than it appear.
Oh, did it have Time Lord architecture? ;)

I'm reading the book for the third time now, highlighing passages and trying to determine precisely that: what bits are Neil's and what bits are Sir Terry's.

15 > good luck with that, since Neil and Terry can't tell you who wrote what in the book other than a few specific passages. It really was a cooperative project, they edited each others stuff and melded it together.

#16
I know, I've read what they've said about the process.

Still, since this is the third time (I think) I'm reading the book, it seems like a good way to waste the time... ;)

#9
Thanks for the link WillSteed.

Is liking this book age related?

My teenage years weren't that far behind me in 1990 (publication date) and, having also lived in a village I can easily imagine myself and friends being somewhat equivalent to Them (and anybody who wants more tales along those sort of lines I thoroughly recommend just william)

But presumably current teenagers will find this horrendously antiquated, technologyless, and odd. How do older folk feel about it?

How does the excellantly sent up 'middle england' feel of Tham's families translate across the pond?

Thought of some more points- and I've nearly finished it now, so this should be my last asking questions post.

How much have the authors borrowed from their other works?

DEATH is obviously very similar to the diskworld version, and anthromorphic personifications in general - they only exist in our heads. I don't think it works so well here.

I'm guessing the whole demon/maggots thing is a Gaiman plot point.

More controversially: How fair is Adam's claim that if "you stop telling them it'll all be sorted out when you die, maybe they'd get on and fix it now"?

I doubt that religious afterlife is a main motivational factor in people's lack of action for 'savin the world'. But maybe that's just me.

#9 Goodness! Thanks, WillSteed.

#20 I doubt that religious afterlife is a main motivational factor in people's lack of action for 'savin the world'. But maybe that's just me Well, now, the atheists amongst us would say that's right on. Do we know the religious persuasions of Pratchett and Gaiman?

I kept thinking of Dogma as I read the book. Alan Rickman played the Metatron in the movie, but I think he'd make a fine Crawley and maybe Liam Neeson for Aziraphale.

Like Shadwell, I fell asleep watching The Omen.

The follow up would be, as Crawley suggested, heaven and hell against humanity. Very Greek, but I can't think we'd do too well in that one.

My review - I'm quite happy for people to comment on it, especially as I know I'm bad at proof reading.

Great review, readingfox.

One of my favorite characters was Dog. One of the best scenes in book was when he went from the rottweiler from hell to what I thought of as a Jack Russel Terrier (which can also be from hell, depending on the circumstances). His early learning to chase mice and that cats weren't afraid of him were fun. I wasn't so fond of his cringing scenes. I just didn't think of him as cringing, totally devoted yes, but not cringing. Totally devoted human second bananas can cringe, but dogs are devoted out of love, not fear. I just didn't see that part.

#23 Nice and accurate review :-)

#22 Shadwell is interesting. There are elements of him in Mr Groat in the later Going Postal

I think with this book the decision is made that British/dry humor (humour) just doesn't do it for me. Yeah, I've chuckled a couple times but overall, nope, not my thing. I'll finish the book because really it's not bad, but I was expecting it to hit my funny bone more often.

Things that have made me snicker so far...

"(An Angel who did not so much Fall as Saunter Vaguely Downwards)"

"...you think you're on top of the world and suddenly they spring Armageddon on you."

(re visiting Gomorrah)
"I meant afterwards."
"Oh."

#26
Really?
Ohhh I have *so* many favourite bits!

This one, for instance:

"I'm a big fan of the Royal Family, you know."
"Oh, so am I," said Mr. Young, leaping gratefully onto this new ice floe in the bewildering stream of consciousness. Yes, you knew where you were with the Royals. The proper ones, of course, who pulled their weight in the hand-waving and bridge-opening department. Not the ones who went to discos all night long and were sick all over the paparazzi.(*)
"That's nice," said Sister Mary. "I thought you people weren't too keen on them, what with revoluting and throwing all those tea-sets into the river."

(*)It is possibly worth mentioning at this point that Mr. Young thought that paparazzi was a kind of Italian linoleum.

:D

And this:

That Hieronymous Bosch. What a weirdo.

And many, many more. One of my copies of this book is covered in blue ink scribblings. But then, I'm a sucker for British wit. Both Sir Terry and Douglas Adams -- and also Neil on a couple of occasions -- are the only authors who have made me actually laugh out loud while reading a book. Not just a grin, but an actual bellow, mind.

Yeah, whereas I've read several of Pratchett's and they've never done anything for me. Hitchhiker's was okay, but still, nothing that really grabbed me.

It's a funny thing about humor.

My mother enjoys British detective novels, but not the ones with British humor (such as Dorothy Sayers). Only one of my brothers enjoys movies/books with British humor, the rest of my family look at us with that expression of "what adoption agency did you come from" look when he and I get started on our favorite books and movies.

OMG, the thing with the pin on the map had me rolling on the floor.

PING!

>23 reading_fox:
Enjoyed your review Fox.
I'm surprised at the number of five star ratings.

I would have sworn the older version of Good Omens ended with the angel and demon spreading their wings and walking towards the volcano-satan. Am I imagining this?

Those poor houseplants! Tee hee.

#31 - Thanks.
Older version? I don't know of any older version. I've never come across a volcano ending. Links?

#32 - yep always makes me smile. And yet people still swear that playing them music makes them grow better.

>33 reading_fox:
Yeah, sorry, a bit cryptic. After the 4 horsemen have been defeated and everything looks like it is going to be ok Crowley gets a tire-iron and the angel picks up War's sword, flames it, and together they walk towards the soon-to-be-appearing-Satan.

I must have edited my memories of this book. Maybe the ending of the TV series Angel over-wrote the ending of Good Omens? Whatever the origin, I prefer my imagined ending.

I found so many parts of this book hilarious, (again the poor houseplants. Hmm, maybe I should try that) but, I had to hold back from a big over all endorsement because the humor is just so masculine. While you might have fond feelings about Shadwell if he were your grandfather, taking him lunch, making sure he had clean clothes, there's absolutely no reason Madam Whatshername would have felt the same way, except that she's a woman and he's a man. So delusional misanthrope or not, she felt compelled to care for him. I don't think so. The little woman is good for a pot of tea or a nice snack, comfort in a harsh world, but leave the humor, adventure, life decisions to men. It's not the dry British humor I mind, it's the Monty Python all boys club bit that gets me.

I enjoyed your review, Tane. Nice to get insight from the other side of the pond.

Mine from a couple of years ago is very brief, and still pretty much my opinion, so I'll just repost it here.

A wild, woolly and wacky tale of the Apocalypse. This story has some strange partnerships in it, angels and demons, witches and witch hunters, harlots and, well, I'm not sure what to call him. Anyway, the humor is as finely crafted as one would expect from these authors, the story pulls you in and holds you, the drama and action are exciting.

I feel grateful for the insight into the view of how two secular humanists view my religious beliefs. Not that it was any great revelation to me, but I do like to understand, and it did make me laugh. A lot.

Finished it. LOVE LOVE LOVED it. It was my first Terry Pratchett, but I've read several Neil Gaiman books, so I am thinking I could kind of tell which parts were written by who. (whom?) (Though the notes at the end of my copy say that they aren't even sure any more!) I am thinking Terry is more overtly funny than Neil.

One of my favorite parts was the car that spoke it's warnings in Haiku. Brilliant! I had so many belly laughs I can't even begin to list them, but the footnotes were all hilarious.

Edited to add title mention: Good Omens

" It was my first Terry Pratchett, ... but the footnotes were all hilarious."

You so need to read his Discworld books then, they're full of footnotes, especially the earlier ones. Contrary to advice I sometimes give, for you, start at the beginning with colour of magic.

I'm still chuckling over the pin.

Ping.

#38 - Well, at some point before I keel over I'd like to. LOL

#39 - Heh heh. I giggled at that part, too.

In one of the after parts, Gaiman claimed all the maggoty parts. :) Which I had attributed to him before I read that.

#41 - Same here!

My favorite part was Newt's car. "Prease to fasten sleat bert." The haikus were also brilliant.

#2,3,4
I also agree that the interaction between Crowley and Aziraphale was the best part of the book. Their characters were really well developed and it was amusing to see that they worked in this giant bureaucracy.

This was my second time reading the book. While I enjoyed it, there weren't too many parts that made me laugh out loud. I think it's because I always try to take my fantasy books too seriously. Maybe the British humor played a factor as well.

I guess because I did a Dr. Who marathon at the same time, this time when I read it about Anathema and Newt, the image of Amy Pond and Rory was in my head the whole time. I love how they burned up the second volume of Agnes' prophesies.

This is my second time reading it, and I still bloody LOVED the thing.

44> oooh, don't let's start a casting thread :)

Nice visual, though - Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill would be perfect as Anathema and Newt.

I loved it!! I kept reading parts out loud to my poor suffering husband. "Oh, oh, you gotta hear this part.... lolol" He did chuckle a few times and agree it was funny. But not laugh out loud funny like me *sigh*. It's weird, his parents come from England and yet I'm the one that loves British humour (and I'm 3 times removed British) ;-)!!

I did love Crowley and Aziraphale, kept fantasizing about Aziraphale's bookshop, loved Anathema and Newt and Mrs Whatshername - the kind lady who took care of Shadwell. She was such a dear, seeing past the grouchiness to what people really needed. The plants, the pins, the beautiful Bentley that always played Queen, Newt's car and how he was always trying to convince his friends to get one 'cause "misery loves company! and then the haiku!!, the baby mix-up, the nuns that had a vow of talking!!, got to stop, there were just too many things.

This was my first Pratchett and now I know I have to read more. It was wonderful.

What a great idea - Amy Pond and Rory as Newt and Anathema - perfect casting.