Good Omens: A Full Cast Production

The Kindle edition of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett that I downloaded was a 2011 reprint edition from William Morrow (publisher) sold by Harper Collins Publishers. At four hundred thirty-three pages, the novel is such a huge collection of very funny stuff and observations that it is best read in segments. While you are reading something else. If you get bogged down in something a bit too serious (even a book!) you would have the comfortable knowledge that you have a collection of absurdities in reserve that can pull you out of dull situations. It is a cult classic and I am not going to waste a bunch of time trying to come up with superlatives not yet used. It is worth reading the reviews such as the ones I found on Amazon. The novel is not everyone’s cup of tea; there are many negative ones. Most of the negative ones I read were of Neil Gaiman and those reviewers complained about a difference in the Gaiman style as compared to his other works. I felt those reviewers were unfair. I can safely bet there are a bunch of Christian religious fundamentalists (not extremists) which would not even attempt to see the humor in the naming and depictions of various members of the holy (and unholy) establishment. Who would have the temerity to suggest that War, Death, and Famine could keep their original Four Horsemen names but Pestilence was going to have to accept an upgrade to Pollution due to the demands of technology? Back to two complaints I have about the edition I read. (1) Who cares about publisher and publishers and reprint editions and the “when” of an edition? Me, when the novel becomes hard to read. Throughout this edition, there were symbols that looked like this * throughout the novel. I couldn’t initially find what they referred to. The story was moving along nicely at its usual speed of light and ignoring the symbols didn’t hinder its movement at all. Then I found all the referenced items at the end of the novel. And they were interesting. But at that point, there were no page references and I couldn’t easily go back to what they referred to. Grrrr! So, for a better reading experience, click on the tiny symbols. They will take you to the reference. Then click the back button on the Kindle App and it will take you back to the page you were on … maybe. I don’t know how it works when you are reading the novel on several devices at once and synchronization kicks in. That is what caused me problems. (2) This book was written by two authors in sort of a back-and-forth style. If one couldn’t get past a certain point (make it funny) the other kicked in new ideas. Through lots and lots of conference calls, they came up with this. Of course, Gaiman’s style was different! I am sure both he and Terry Pratchett made compromises in their final submission. I found many of the negative reviewer comments irrelevant. Now a bit about content. Here are some of the lines I found attention grabbing. Having read these, no way I could put the book down. After reading the subtitle I was hooked. “The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.” How could I walk away from that? It quickly became apparent that Agnes had written a book predicting the Apocalypse, the end of Days. And, looking at the table of contents (of this novel, not the one by Agnes) we can see that it is going to be very soon. It is a matter of days. Certain events and signs must happen first (re: the four Horsemen) but a lot of subordinate characters, angels and lesser angels, demons and lesser demons, Witchhunters, and innocent bystanders go in search for the missing ingredient, the Antichrist. The Antichrist, appropriately named Adam, has not exactly gotten sidetracked in his mission. He was never informed of the mission. He grew up as a “normal” boy. Although he always seemed to be the leader of any group, the one with the best ideas, and the ability to bend everyone else to his will, he did not act knowingly as the Antichrist. He is simply known by his nickname “The Adversary, Destroyer of Kings, Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Great Beast that is called Dragon, Prince of This World, Father of Lies, Spawn of Satan, and Lord of Darkness. (p. 27). At least that is what Crowley, Satan’s representative on Earth, calls his soon-to-be-master. This is a hilarious, sarcastic, cynical, and absurd look at the fragility of human nature. For those who want to relate absurd happenings to literal happenings in present day reality, there is lots of material to allow a reader to do that. But I couldn’t stop laughing and didn’t want to spoil it with reality. I will read more novels with the Gaiman name. And I will take care of them. I will not treat them in a way described at the beginning of this novel. “If we run across a shiny new copy, it’s usually because the owner’s previous five have been stolen by friends, struck by lightning or eaten by giant termites in Sumatra. You have been warned. Oh, and we understand there’s a copy in the Vatican library.” (p. 2).

Book Review Written July 26, 2019 Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch: By Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett Several months ago I read a news release regarding a group of concerned citizens who were raising righteous concerns with NetFlix regarding that company's proposed broadcast of a miniseries called "Good Omens". The group was concerned regarding the sacrilegious and anti Christian nature of programing that dared to make light of key elements of the Christian scripture and the deleterious impact that viewing such programing would have on the morale fabric of America. Netflix was quite taken back since they had not planned to air the program, because Amazon Prime actually had the release rights. One can only guess at the level of controversy surrounding the fallout of this affair. Whatever the case the subject of Good Omens had my attention and I decided that It was best to both view the miniseries and read the book, one of my best decisions of this year. This is a review of the book, but I can tell you that I recommend that everyone view the miniseries, because it is wonderfully entertaining, in no small part due to tremendous performances by actors Michael Sheen and David Tennant. It is a must see! Regarding the book, it is coauthored by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s, written way back in the late 1980s, long before these guys became household names in the fantasy genre, and is best described as a fantasy novel about the end times, (aka Armageddon) and the nature of good and evil. Writing about this topic is hardly new, think Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and Milton, but Gaiman and Pratchett have taken a whole new approach to explore this weighty topic. The setting and background is present day England, with all its charms and idiosyncrasies. While it's not America, most readers will have no trouble adjusting! The cast of characters are wonderfully drawn, delightfully good and evil. There are humans, angels, demons, the Antichrist, witches, witch hunters, the four horsemen (of Bible fame, who are not all male and ride motorcycles instead of horses), all the forces of heaven and hell, and a dog. They all bring the story to life, playing out their parts as the plot moves inexorably towards the final confrontation between good and evil (Armageddon). The narrative is crisp, witty, sometimes thoughtful, generally humorous, and all ways entertaining. Whatever the case, there is nothing in this book for Christians to fear and in fact, there are points made that we all could benefit from learning. This is a great fun read, that will give you something to think about! I recommend it to readers of all ages (if your old enough for Harry Potter your old enough for Good Omens).

Crowley is a demon and Aziraphale is an angel. Despite their differences, for example Crowley likes to drive fancy race-cars while blaring rock music (that somehow always turns into a "Best of Queen" album) and Aziraphale prefers more classic vehicles and music, and being on opposing sides of an universal war, Aziraphale and Crowley have remained friends. They've actually been friends since almost the beginning of creation when Crowley took the form of a serpent to tempt the first humans and Aziraphale lost the flaming sword that he was supposed to use in defense of the Garden of Eden. More than each other, they have both become accustomed to the human universe in which they live. Then Crowley gets the word that the time has come for the arrival of the Anti-Christ. He can't believe it's all going to end, but like a good demon he does his duty. Unbeknownst to him, though the Satanic nuns at the hospital where he delivered the child had a minor mix-up and the Anti-Christ ends up going home with a working class English couple instead of the American diplomat he was supposed to. In this novel, prophecy move along regardless of the circumstances (probably foretold in the "The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch") and neither side discovers the error until eleven years later when a hellhound is released and never appears at the appointed place. By that time things are in a major uproar because the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (who prefer to ride Harley's instead of horses), Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War have already started going about trying to destroy most of the world while most of the hosts Heaven and Hell are preparing for battle in the upcoming Armageddon. Things don't look very well. Yet, there's an eleven-year-old boy in England who has visions of UFOs, a hollow Earth, and tunneling Tibetans that suddenly start happening. Things just aren't what they used to be. As the only two creatures who seem to have a clue what is going on, it's up to Crowley and Aziraphale to try to put things right before the world ends. I thoroughly enjoyed GOOD OMENS. The book was full of classic Brittish wit coloured with good-old American humor and pop culture references. I have never read anything by Gaiman (though I have heard of his SANDMAN works) or Pratchett and picked up this novel after hearing that Terry Gilliam was wanting to turn the book into a movie. I've enjoyed many of Gilliam's other works and wanted to stay ahead of the game and read the book ahead of time (the movie is in limbo right now, though). My only negative complaint is that the book has several characters, so at times it is a bit difficult to keep up with what is happening to whom and where. I know that there are also some who would be offend by the misuse of the Biblical elements used to form the foundation of the story. I usually tend to view things such as the Apocalypse, Armageddon, and the end of the world in a serious light myself. However, I knew before reading this book that these writers weren't going to that and I ended up enjoying the book immensely. It made me laugh many times. Just watch out for those good omens. They rarely are that good.

The Perfect Summer Read Are you looking for a fun, quirky book to read? Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witchby Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is an oldie but goody. If it’s an oldie, why write a review? Because I keep running into people who haven’t read this gem, and most of all, because I love this book. The satire is at once silly and hysterical with some honest-to-goodness wit thrown into the mix. It’s a zany romp that only the young at heart should take. There’s enough British wit and humor to satisfy anyone who likes that sort of thing, and it’s genuinely crazy enough to amuse most people. If you’re a Douglas Adams fan, well, then you’ve probably read Good Omens. Warning: if you have no sense of humor or if you hate silly, stop reading this review. Brief Summary: Satan and God have a huge problem: the Antichrist has gone missing, and they need him for the apocalypse. It turns out that when the lad was born, some evil nuns gave him to the wrong couple, and he grew up in a sleepy English suburb. Expect for his untapped “evil” power, he’s an ordinary kid rather like Kevin McCallister, the kid in Home Alone . Because they happen to like earth and don’t want it destroyed, Aziraphale (an angel) and Crowley (a demon) team up to stop the apocalypse; they are much like a British version of the Odd Couple who are trying to save the world from inevitable doom—Crowley, of course, lives life wildly and fully, while Aziraphale is quiet and refined. While everyone (God, Satan, angels, demons, and humans) searches for the Antichrist, the Four “Bikers” of the Apocalypse gather. And, yes, the Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch are important. Pratchett and Gaiman have created a diverse and eccentric cast of characters. The impending doom is told through multiple points of view as everyone races to save or destroy the world. As any reader would expect, they all come crashing together at the end of the book. Why do I like it? This may be one of the funniest books I’ve read. First, Pratchett and Gaiman turn the story of the apocalypse inside-out, then, they turn it sideways, and finally, they manage to make the end of the world riotous and entertaining. Along the way, they poke and prod at the ordinary, the crass, and the sacred. I’ll admit there is a great deal of silliness about the book, and some of the motifs have been used before, but Gaiman and Pratchett take those motifs and spin them with enduring flare. After all, the book was published in 1990 and is still going strong. I’m always excited when someone I know reads Good Omens for the first time. So my friend, take a break from the real world, put aside all serious thoughts, get comfortable, and read this delicious book.

I have always read lots of books and this is my #1 book in all my 71 years! I have re-read this book at least 10 x and given as gifts many times throughout the years. While some may not like the story, it and both authors are right up my alley of a fun story with a message. I have continued to re-read many books by Terry Pratchett, who I am sure is enjoying bananas daiquiris in the great beyond, and Neil Gaiman, who I continue to enjoy his work and his voice when he narrates! Thank you both!

The Earth was created October 21, 4004 BC, around 9 AM (fossilized dinosaur skeletons being a joke paleontologists haven't seen yet). "That went down like a lead balloon," said Crawly the serpent - "I mean, first offense and everything. I can't see what's so bad about knowing the difference between good and evil." It was then that he changed his name to Crowley and became the devil's representative on Earth. Over the next 6000 or so years, Aziraphale (the good angel) and Crowley worked out a comfortable arrangement. It seems that agents of all sorts have more in common with their competitors than with their superiors (whom they rarely see). If they unspokenly agreed to a non-interference clause, they could both demonstrate to their masters that they were making remarkable headway against their clever adversaries. When the Apocalypse was announced, they agreed to a secret meeting at the duck pond, along with all the other spies. Summary of characters: Sister Mary Loquacious - A Satanic nun from the Chattering order of St. Beryl, her assignment being the newborn nursery baby switch. When she first met the Anti-Christ AKA the Adversary, Destroyer of Kings, Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Great Beast that is called Dragon, Prince of This World, Father of Lies, Spawn of Satan and Lord of Darkness - she talks sweetly to him and plays with his toesywosies. Newton Pulsifer - A witchfinder and descendant of the witchfinder, Thou-Shalt-Not-Commit-Adultery Pulsifer (names were more descriptive in those days). He'd like to believe in a Supreme God, although he would prefer a half-hour chat with Him before committing himself, to clear up a few points. Adam - The 11 year old Anti-Christ who grew up in a normal home as a normal kid (despite his powers) because of the botched baby swap by Sister Loquacious. He says, "I don't see what's so triffic about creatin' people as people and then gettin' upset 'cos they act like people...Anyway, if you stopped tellin' people it's all sorted out after they're dead, they might try sorting it all out while they're alive." The Megatron's (Voice of God's) face begins to take on the look familiar to all those subjected to Adam's idiosyncratic line of reasoning. Madam Tracy - A loveable tarot card expert (she took all the evil cards out of the deck) & medium who was forced into partial retirement from prostitution by age. She lived next door to witchhunter Shadwell and brought him cookies. Shadwell - The witchhunter whose teeth were bad enough to make the tooth fairy take retire her wand. On Sundays, Madam Tracy left a plate of food outside his door...she couldn't help but like him. For all the good it did, though, she might as well be flicking bread pellets into a black hole...in Shadwell's simple world anyone wearing sunglasses who wasn't actually on a beach was probably a criminal. Crowley - A snappy dresser who always wore sunglasses, Crowley was a demon who rather liked people, even though his job, which he did well, was to do his best to make them miserable. Usually, however, he couldn't think up anything half as bad as stuff they thought up themselves...and just when you'd think they were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they would occasionally show more grace than Heaven ever dreamed of. "God does not play games with his loyal servants," said The Megatron. "Whooo-eee," said Crowley, "where have you been?" Aziraphale - Angelic representation on earth. Although he was, of course, neutered, some thought he was gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide. Scrupulously good, but not pompous enough to carry a righteous demeanor, his cover was book store owner, and his hobby was collecting Infamous Bibles with errors in typesetting. The Four Bike Riders of the Apocalypse - joined by a group of mortal Hell's Angels and commissioned by Satan himself to find the lost Anti-Christ on the fateful day of Armageddon. Crowley and Aziraphale take you on a wonderfully paced journey full of insights and witty observations on life. Pratchett and Gaiman don't let you down as their eccentric cast converges for the climactic scene. Mark Twain, author of "Letters From The Earth" would approve of "Good Omens," the funniest version of the Apocalypse ever written. Highly recommended.

"Good Omens" is one of my favorite books that I have read more often than is probably good for me. This comedy about the end of the world is not only uproariously funny, but a ruthlessly critical yet still affectionate look at human nature and its foibles and a deep meditation on the nature of life, death, good, and evil, with an exciting plot and lovable characters thrown in as bonuses. I heartily recommend it. The only downside is that I've now read it so often that I've got quite a bit of it memorized, with the unfortunate side effect that reading it no longer affects me quite as strongly as it did back when it was new. The best thing about the new audiobook is that Martin Jarvis's reading seemed to make everything new again. Hearing it in his voice instead of my own brought back it's original freshness, and I found myself laughing out-loud over bits like the "Buggre Alle This Bible" for the first time in years. Jarvis does an excellent job voicing the different characters, especially the ones from the past, and his enthusiasm and affection for the work shows through in the narration. However, I did have a few problems with his reading, the major two being that I did not like the voices that he chose for Adam Young, War, and Death. Death especially was off-putting: you know that low, purr-y voice typically given to the fantasy talking cat? That's what Death sounds like. Which is completely different than how Death sounds in my head (in which he's got a Vader-era James Earl Jones thing going on, except flat and emotionless rather than dripping with evil menace). Plus, Jarvis's Death voice is quieter than that of any other character or the narration, which is weird for a character who, in the text, SPEAKS ONLY IN CAPITALS LIKE THIS. War sounds kind of like Terry Gilliam might if he were both very sleepy and trying to parody a low, seductive drawl. He's got Crowley and Aziraphale down wonderfully, though. Another problem is that Martin Jarvis has a tendency to get a little too into trying to do ethnic accents, so much so that it seems kinda racist. The scene on the Japanese whaling ship is particularly bad. You at the end of "A Christmas Story" when they go to the Chinese restaurant and the people are singing "Deck tha Harrs wit Boughs of Horry, Fa Ra Ra?" The first mate sounds like that, except his accent is Japanese and twice as thick! It's cringe-inducing. So that's what brought my review down to three stars. But that said, still worth buying.

The last celebrity death of any kind that really made me cry was when I first heard the news that Terry Pratchett died. I knew it was coming, but it didn’t make it any better. I had spent hours and hours with him and in the worlds he created enjoying every minute and praising Offler, the crocodile god, that he was so prolific. The funny thing is that when I first read this book, I didn’t read it because it was a Terry Pratchett book. I had read it because it was a Neil Gaiman book. A dozen years ago, or so a buddy first handed me American Gods, and this was after I graduated with a degree in English but I had not read either of these English chaps. I then went on to read all the books Gaiman had out, including this one. I remember liking it so much but it felt out of character – it didn’t remind me of Gaiman’s other books. There was a wit and playfulness that balanced out Neil being a little more serious. Of course, it took me another seven years before I read any of Terry’s Discworld books and then I went and had to read fifty of those books. But then it was all over and there were a couple of posthumous books that trickled out but it is not the same to be looking behind you at the fun you had instead of looking ahead of you with that boundless anticipation. But then a week or so ago, I was thinking of the great bit that opens Good Omens, where the reader learns that the birth of the world can be tracked so that the age of the world and star positions means that the earth has a zodiac sign. Specifically, that earth is a Libra. I went to track it down and then remembered with joy that though I had already read the book I had read it as a Neail Gaiman book and not as a Terry Pratchett book. It meant that there was a Terry Pratchett book I hadn’t read. So, I looked and looked on all my shelves and of course I couldn’t find it. It also reminded me that a year ago, I told my wife I was going to organize my shelves, but that’s’ neither here nor there. So, I had to buy it again. And the payoff is worth it. Both authors can work with their strengths with both the more serious Gaiman and the playful Pratchett (and vice versa, Neil can be playful and Terry serious), so that all the main characters’ work with depth and sympathy and you get a good feeling for the Antichrist’s motivations. And even better, I had forgotten how it ended, so that was a nice surprise. Sadly though, for Terry, the rest is silence. O, o, o, o.

Incredible

brilliant book, loved it and no one is getting a lend of it because I'll never get it back

This is the book I keep going back to. I adore the language, the humour, the imagination, the premise and the plot. Most importantly, I feel that the mindset behind matches mine so well. In a way, it shaped me as a reader, sort ot set a standard of what I call a good read

I saw the series first and as a book lover I HAD to read this. Oh my, that's the best decision I've ever made. I don't understand why nobody around me talked about it before 😭😭 it's hilarious, witty, the writing style is delicious and Crowley is my favourite character all books combined. I'd read a million books about just him and Aziraphale if they existed with ZERO issue at all. Neil and Terry did a brilliant job, I can't say it otherwise, this book is a masterpiece. I'm almost sad I won't experience reading it for the first time again 🥲

The book is awesome but some of the things came damaged like the book was bent and a few pages were miss printed :/