Speak to Me, Neil Gaiman

I just discovered Neil Gaiman this year, and I have become obsessed, and yet, I haven’t read a word ;).  I’m sure others have done this already, but I am officially declaring Gaiman the king of Audiobooks.

I first listened to Stardust, published in 1999, while I was waiting for another book to become available. I didn’t expect much, but I thought it sounded amusing…I became entranced. Gaiman’s voice and style of reading demands attention, and you can’t help but become fully emerged in the story.

Next I listened to The Ocean at the End of the Lane, published in 2013, and I was a little more weary of this one, just because the description didn’t appeal to me as much. Turns out, it’s an amazing book and Gaiman’s narration is as good as ever. I really can’t describe his reading style, but it almost feels like he writes his books to be read aloud, rather than silently. 

I just finished listening to Norse Mythology last week, and I think it’s my favorite of his to listen thus far.  These stories, being short retelling of myths, are really meant to be listened to. Even with the few myths that weren’t my favorite, he makes them interesting in his captivating storytelling.

“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”

I’ve said before that the narrator of the audiobook either makes or breaks the book. I’ve listened to a few books that I really disliked because the narrator was so awful and then I went back and physically read found they were actually good books. For all I know, Gaiman’s books may not be as good on paper as they are read aloud, but I don’t know if I want to risk it ruining them ;). 

I keep adding his books to my TBR list, and unless the audiobook doesn’t exist, I can almost guarantee that’s the medium I will use. So here’s to you, Neil Gaiman, keep writing and please please please keep speaking.