Helpful Score: 6
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Monty Python in a very amusing version of the biblical apocalypse. Will probably only appeal to those who enjoy this type of humor. On those grounds, your mileage may very. Two thumbs up from me!
Helpful Score: 6
I love this book. Absolutely hysterical. I've read it no less than 5 times and it's fantastic every time. I've also owned 3 different copies of it because they wind up being stolen from me, everyone I know that has read it has loved it. I definitely reccomend it.
Helpful Score: 5
Who would have thought that the coming of Armageddon would be hilariously funny? Nobody but Pratchett and Gaiman---and they make the readers crack up laughing too!
We hear the world will end on a Saturday . . . next Saturday.
But Sister Mary Loquacious of the Chattering Order has misplaced the Antichrist. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (in Hell's Angels leathers) ride motorcycles. And the representatives of Heaven and Hell have decided that they actually LIKE the human race . . . so do we absolutely HAVE to hold Armageddon now?
We hear the world will end on a Saturday . . . next Saturday.
But Sister Mary Loquacious of the Chattering Order has misplaced the Antichrist. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (in Hell's Angels leathers) ride motorcycles. And the representatives of Heaven and Hell have decided that they actually LIKE the human race . . . so do we absolutely HAVE to hold Armageddon now?
Helpful Score: 4
If this book isn't on your wish list... well that probably means you've already read it. But still, this is the greatest pre post apocalypse story ever. A true must read.
Helpful Score: 4
The end of the world will be happening next week, by the way. It takes a band of children (and a dog) plus "agents" from Heaven and Hell to make it all better. Hilarious!
Helpful Score: 3
What a fun read! I had the best time with this book and even remarked to my husband that it would make a hilarious movie. Some parts are definitely British humor (and not that easy to understand), but it doesn't matter. The whole thing is wonderful.
Well that is if you're a Gaiman fan, a Pratchett fan, or both. You could also be a fan of Douglas Adams, or Monty Python. But then it really isn't necessary to be a fan of any of them at all.
In brief: Seemingly Normal British kid is actually the AntiChrist. Screwed up demon and even more screwed up angel set off on a quest to find him. Along with the Witchfinder general, his bumbling assistant and- like the kid needed more worries- the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Hilarity (with a side of possible nuclear destruction) ensues.
I've read it time and time again, and I refuse to swap this one. Get your own.
Go on, get your own.
In brief: Seemingly Normal British kid is actually the AntiChrist. Screwed up demon and even more screwed up angel set off on a quest to find him. Along with the Witchfinder general, his bumbling assistant and- like the kid needed more worries- the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Hilarity (with a side of possible nuclear destruction) ensues.
I've read it time and time again, and I refuse to swap this one. Get your own.
Go on, get your own.
Helpful Score: 1
I have only discovered Neil Gaiman in the past few years, and am enjoying reading his work. I enjoyed this book especially, and my 17 year old son has read it, as well, and it has inspired quite a few good conversations about religion and life.
Helpful Score: 1
I love Neil Gaiman, so I thought I would dig this book but it was not my cup of tea. It had a lot of funny bits but then it would alternate between boring and confusing. It was obvious that it was a two man collaboration. It didn't flow or mesh.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books, ever; I heard of it on a writing website and decided to give it a try. Totally worth getting and reading, and probably keeping.
Helpful Score: 1
This is pretty good, actually. It starts being more clever than funny, but ends very satisfactorily. Good read.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book. It's not one that I'd read more than once though. Good Omens was very much like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Monty Pyton in humor!
Helpful Score: 1
I have just finished reading "Good Omens" for the third or fourth time, and am pleased to say that it remains as fresh and original this time through as it was the first time.
Bar none, this is the finest novelization of the Apocalypse ever written. Leave "Left Behind" under the short leg of your table, where it's actually useful; and never mind the attempts of other authors to cash in on Antichrist fever. If the End of Days doesn't happen the way authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett have described, there needs to be a do-over.
The bulk of the action takes place in what is supposed to be the last week of history as the armies of heaven and hell amass for the epic conclusion of their war, and the culmination of human history. There's only one little problem. The forces of hell accidentally misplaced the Antichrist shortly after he was born, and no one's really sure where to find him. As Judgment Day draws near, a demon and an angel who have been living on earth for so long that they can't bear to see it destroyed, join together in a desperate effort to find him and avert Armageddon.
Not surprisingly, the book is full of oblique references to "The Omen," which at the time was the most recognizable story to feature the Antichrist. The juxtaposition of that brand of horror with a life appropriate for Just William makes "Good Omens" a rollicking good read.
The fast-paced British humor that Pratchett and Gaiman bring to the book is one reason to return to this book again and again, and to be honest, it is reason enough. But these two are also intelligent writers, and there's enough meat in the book to draw me back long after the jokes will have worn out. (If that ever happens, which seems unlikely.)
Bar none, this is the finest novelization of the Apocalypse ever written. Leave "Left Behind" under the short leg of your table, where it's actually useful; and never mind the attempts of other authors to cash in on Antichrist fever. If the End of Days doesn't happen the way authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett have described, there needs to be a do-over.
The bulk of the action takes place in what is supposed to be the last week of history as the armies of heaven and hell amass for the epic conclusion of their war, and the culmination of human history. There's only one little problem. The forces of hell accidentally misplaced the Antichrist shortly after he was born, and no one's really sure where to find him. As Judgment Day draws near, a demon and an angel who have been living on earth for so long that they can't bear to see it destroyed, join together in a desperate effort to find him and avert Armageddon.
Not surprisingly, the book is full of oblique references to "The Omen," which at the time was the most recognizable story to feature the Antichrist. The juxtaposition of that brand of horror with a life appropriate for Just William makes "Good Omens" a rollicking good read.
The fast-paced British humor that Pratchett and Gaiman bring to the book is one reason to return to this book again and again, and to be honest, it is reason enough. But these two are also intelligent writers, and there's enough meat in the book to draw me back long after the jokes will have worn out. (If that ever happens, which seems unlikely.)
I originally purchased this book because 1) I had started reading everything Neil Gaiman and 2) it was $9.95 through the book club. I wasn't entirely sure what the plot was, and once I received it and read the jacket I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to read it. Once I started it I knew immediately I was going to love it. This is a very funny, entertaining and so-real-it-could-be-true story about human nature and the end of the world as we know it.
Like reading a Monty Python skit. This is very amusing and irreverent.
Loved it! Absurd and profound at the same time.
Reminded me of "Letters from Earth" by Mark Twain. Very funny without being mean. If your faith is shaken by this it needs to be.
couldn't finish it, too far out for me.
This book was fantastic. Equally morbid and comedic. Azazel and Crowley make a dastardly pair and the Anti-Christ has the cutest hell-hound ever! a must for fans of either author.
Wow, really makes you think about a few things. The ending is worth wading through the middle. If you liked the movie "Dogma" this is a book for you
A very interesting book. I definitely detected the writing style solely as Pratchetts though, and wonder where Gaimans influence came in. Perhaps in the design of some of the main characters I suppose I can see a little of Gaimans style there.
The ending left me wanting for a sequel. I wonder if there will be one.
WARNING SPOILER ALERT (highlight text to view):
After all, Adam (the Antichrist) did divert Armageddon, but at the end, you find the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley talking about a bigger effable Plan, and then the Further Nife and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter: Concerning the Worlde that Is To Com shows up on Anathemas doorstep, so youre left wondering what the future holds for these guys, especially since Agnes Nutter found it interesting enough to write about again.
The ending left me wanting for a sequel. I wonder if there will be one.
WARNING SPOILER ALERT (highlight text to view):
After all, Adam (the Antichrist) did divert Armageddon, but at the end, you find the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley talking about a bigger effable Plan, and then the Further Nife and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter: Concerning the Worlde that Is To Com shows up on Anathemas doorstep, so youre left wondering what the future holds for these guys, especially since Agnes Nutter found it interesting enough to write about again.
This has to be the funiest book i have ever read. After reading this book I trully velieve that god does have a sencee of humore.
"Heaven to read, and you'll laugh like hell" Time Out
Two great authors doing great things together and an apocalypse. What more could you ask for in a paperback?
This book is a fantastic read! I was laughing continuously as I read, a fantastic irreverent comedy!
A solidly funny read about the apocalypse. The British dry wit, which made the first hundred pages so amusing, however, became a bit tedious and the story slowed in the middle. I pushed through and was rewarded with a thoughtful ending. All in all, it was worth the read.
This is a fun book for light reading, although the story is a bit predictable. Gaiman and Pratchett interact well and their revision of standard mythology is entertaining.
hysterical- I've re-read this book several times and laughed every time
Hilarious tale of the Apocalypse.
A somewhat amusing read, and an interesting angle. I found it a bit hard to folow at times because the plot kind of jumps around. It's an end of the world story like you've never heard.
This is a hilarious comedy about the apocolypse and one that EVERYONE should read, regardless of religious background. Satire at it's best!
WOW! What a fantastic book! I loved the whole humorous take on the apocolypse. This book was great fun. It's about an angel, a demon (who are friends), a witchfinder and his private, the four horsemen of the apocolypse, a fortune teller, a witch, the Antichrist and his three friends. I don't want to go into detail, because it would totally spoil the book! But the underlying message of the book is basicly to charish our freedom of choice and that even the angels and Satan don't know what God's plan is, let alone us humans! I would highly recommend this book! It's great!!
A most engaging story. I highly recommend it. I wouldn't have gotten rid of it, but we had two copies. Snatch this read up!
Okay, I'd normally never give away anything by Pratchett or Gaiman, but I've got two copies. This satire of the Apocalypse is howlingly funny, and it might just be my favorite book.
Good omens is one of my #1 FAVORITE books of all time. It is HILARIOUS. Nothing I say can describe how much I love this book. Read it now. You know you want to.
This is the second time I've read this book. It's good. I mean, with
Gaiman and Pratchett collaborating, really, how could it NOT be good?
It definitely feels more like a Pratchett novel than a Gaiman one, in
my opinion, however - his stamp of humor is all over it.
The premise: The Apocalypse is at hand (or, rather, scheduled to be at
hand). This is bad news to the demon Crawley and the angel Aziraphale,
who have gotten to quite like their respective positions as the
representatives of God and Satan on Earth. I mean, the Apocalypse
would severely interfere with Aziraphale's rare-books dealership!
Therefore, they decide to interfere with the life of the Antichrist,
so that he doesn't cause the end of the world. Unfortunately, the
person they think is the Antichrist is actually a quite ordinary young
boy, who was mistakenly switched in the hospital at birth.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (in the form of bikers) are
searching for the real Antichrist, who is also a young boy, but with
some seriously powerful abilities that so far he hasn't used for much.
Into the picture comes a girl, Anathema Device, who happens to be the
descendant of Agnes Nutter, witch - and the only known writer of
prophecies that are accurate - and coming true. Some truly
supernatural events are centering on the obscure British town of Lower
Tadfield, and it could truly be the End of the World!
Gaiman and Pratchett collaborating, really, how could it NOT be good?
It definitely feels more like a Pratchett novel than a Gaiman one, in
my opinion, however - his stamp of humor is all over it.
The premise: The Apocalypse is at hand (or, rather, scheduled to be at
hand). This is bad news to the demon Crawley and the angel Aziraphale,
who have gotten to quite like their respective positions as the
representatives of God and Satan on Earth. I mean, the Apocalypse
would severely interfere with Aziraphale's rare-books dealership!
Therefore, they decide to interfere with the life of the Antichrist,
so that he doesn't cause the end of the world. Unfortunately, the
person they think is the Antichrist is actually a quite ordinary young
boy, who was mistakenly switched in the hospital at birth.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (in the form of bikers) are
searching for the real Antichrist, who is also a young boy, but with
some seriously powerful abilities that so far he hasn't used for much.
Into the picture comes a girl, Anathema Device, who happens to be the
descendant of Agnes Nutter, witch - and the only known writer of
prophecies that are accurate - and coming true. Some truly
supernatural events are centering on the obscure British town of Lower
Tadfield, and it could truly be the End of the World!
This book made me laugh so loud, and so unexpectedly, and in so many public places... the general public probably thinks that I am as off-kilter as the characters in the book. Wonderful, wonderful story. I can't imagine anyone not loving Good Omens.
Outstanding --the Apocolypse has never been funnier.
Like Terry Pratchett's Discworld series? Then you may like this book, too. It is *not* Discworld, but is still a good diversion.
Laughed hard. I enjoyed the breakdown to reality and the other worlds. I did prefer Neverhwere to this book and Wyrd Sisters as well.
Off-the-wall comedy about an Armageddon that doesn't quite come off as planned.
Pratchett's footprints are all over this one, with its drive-by puns and throwaway commentary on cultural icons from Elvis sightings to Star Wars fandom, propelling Gaiman's story seed of the Antichrist switched at birth with the wrong Human baby.
The book loses points for a conclusion that drags on interminably -- I mean, once Armageddon has been canceled, where does one go?
Pratchett's footprints are all over this one, with its drive-by puns and throwaway commentary on cultural icons from Elvis sightings to Star Wars fandom, propelling Gaiman's story seed of the Antichrist switched at birth with the wrong Human baby.
The book loses points for a conclusion that drags on interminably -- I mean, once Armageddon has been canceled, where does one go?
loved it!
I had heard very good things about Gaiman and Pratchett. Parts of this book are very funny, but some how I never finished this one!
Fans of Douglas Adams will really enjoy this book. A funny, british look at the apocalypse.
I'm not quite finished yet, but it's made me laugh out loud several times. It is, in fact, very similar in writing style to ''The Hitchhiker's Guide''.
I got this book from a Teen Reading Club I was in years ago...I never read it all the way but from what I did read, I enjoyed.
According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter- the world's only totally reliable guide to the future, the world will end on Saturday!
They don't come much better. Funny stuff for the religious and non-religious alike.
It was funny, but not for the weak of faith.
science fiction that is funny, outrageous, silly - by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett!
End of the world - next Saturday! "The Apocolypse has never been funnier"
End of the world - next Saturday! "The Apocolypse has never been funnier"
I did not read the whole book. It was to confessing and hard to understand.
Covers everything from Creation to the Apocolypse, but probably misses a few things in between.
Very funny read in a Douglas Adams style.
this book is really funny.
in the vein of The Hitchhiker's Guide...
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are coming. A demon and an angel, both living pleasant lives on earth, collaborate to keep the world from ending. Two brilliant authors collaborate to produce a hilarious 354-page novel.
"The Apocalypse has never been funnier." - Clive Barker
"The Apocalypse has never been funnier." - Clive Barker
very funny
Irreverent; definately an alternate view of the human universe.
A light-hearted account of the Apocalypse a la Terry Pratchett.
Hilarious read.
I was not impressed much to the chagrin of my friends at book club. Most of them consider this as their favorite book. Maybe it is because I have never read a Terry Pratchett book and I am a Neil Gaiman fan. I may re-read it at a later time when in a better state of mind to give it a fair chance.
Sometimes hard to follow, i.e., names, etc. Sometimes funny.
Every book by Neil Gaiman is great.
I really like Pratchett, but this is not one of his best. I'm not sure why. For whatever reason, I was actually looking forward to finishing the book, whereas with his other books, I wished that they just went on and on.
Of course, he was not the senior author here. Maybe that is why it doesn't have all his magic.
Of course, he was not the senior author here. Maybe that is why it doesn't have all his magic.
If you like Pratchett or Gaiman, or British humor in general, or irreverent comedy, or fun, this is the book for you.
