# Good Omens - by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 21, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139 "2003-04-21T21:44:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/21 "2003-04-22T01:47:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Loneraven \* > \*\*Nope. I love him, too. I especially love the fact he’s “gayer than a treeful of monkeys on nitrous oxide.” \*\* I’ve probably quoted that line more than any other line from any other book I’ve ever read. I loved Crowley’s escape through the phone line, the car he’d bought gas for once (to get the bullethole decal), and the “naming” of the hellhound. (I picture a rat terrier as the hellhound, though mainly because I have one and that’s what I call him half the time [albeit affectionately].) ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/22 "2003-04-22T01:49:05Z")
I think the writing in it is absolutely awful, and many brilliant ideas are methodically destroyed before the reader’s eyes with painfully unfunny and awkward exposition. But I reread it a lot anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/23 "2003-04-22T05:08:21Z")
Let me speak as one of the Terminally Clueless, who bought the book years ago because it sounded interesting and later (much later) having been turned on to the Neil Gaiman Sandman series by my daughteer, happened to go back and discover he was given equal credit for the writing. I also love Pratchett. If only for the creation of **The Luggage** and the orangutan librarian at the Unseen University, and of course, Death, WHO SPEAKS IN CAPITALS, as you knew he would, Mr. Pratchett deserves a standing ovation. I am also fond of The Smartest Camel in the World, the three witches, and a few other of Pratchett’s characters. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/24 "2003-04-22T05:20:35Z")
Best.Book.Ever. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/25 "2003-04-22T05:25:04Z")
One of my favorite books ever. Definitely in the top 5. (Coincidentally, I have 5 copies of it, because I kept thinking I’d lost my One True Copy and buying a replacement, and then after my most recent move I opened a box and they all spilled out like Tribbles). I’m a big fan of “The Sandman,” but really don’t care for Gaiman’s prose stuff. And as for Pratchett’s other work, I’ve read 3 of the Discworld novels and it’s not that I dislike them as much as they had absolutely no impact on me whatsoever. Gaiman, IMO, tries too hard for the wordy contemporary mythology & philosophy bit, while Pratchett tries too hard for the yuks. _Good Omens_ takes the strengths of both and tempers their weaknesses. And Anathema Device is one of the all-time great character names. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/26 "2003-04-22T06:29:29Z")
If you’re interested in the notes behind the book and some (semi)obsure references, check out the [The Annointed Pratchett Files](http://www.au.lspace.org/books/apf/good-omens.html) (Warning, Spoilers!) Oh, and I think Dawn French (with a toned-down personality) would make a great Agnes Nutter ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/27 "2003-04-22T06:35:10Z")
\*\* Loneraven \*\* _"The Amazing Maurice…_ is labeled “Discworld for younger readers,” which is prolly why it won an award in that category. It’s a childrens book in the same way Harry Potter is - i.e. equally enjoyable for grown ups. It is, however, not Discworld in any way, but being set there. None of the regular characters, plotlines or settings is visible. It’s dark, funny, smart. I’ve given it to adult readers who would never be caught dead with a DW book, who enjoyed it immensly. ---
**Author:** ![Loneraven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c0e974/32.png) [@Loneraven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loneraven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/28 "2003-04-22T09:26:47Z")
Thanks, **Gaspode**. It’ll probably be my next stop, procrastination-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/29 "2003-04-22T10:25:02Z")
Definitely the best. Book. Ever. It rules. I can read it over and over again. The one thing I’d change is the kraken, I’d like to see a lot more of it. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sampiro \* > \*\*It’s been done several times here, but I’ll give my dreamcast for the movie just for shites and giggles (far from complete): > > Crowley- Jude Law\*\* Possibly. > [@](#): > > **Azirophale- Hugh Grant** Good Lord, no. I’m seeing Kenneth Branagh here. > [@](#): > > **Shadwell- Billy Connelly > Newton- Nicholas Brendan** Had to look these two up. I’ve never seen either in anything. It may be terribly unimaginative, but I’d like to see John Cleese as Shadwell. Not a clue about Newton. > [@](#): > > **Agnes Nutter- Judi Dench** By God, that’s perfect! Why haven’t I thought of that? > [@](#): > > **War- Salma Hayek** I don’t think she can do the part. Nor can Geri Halliwell, my first impulse, and she also looks too wholesome and nice. Kirsten Dunst, maybe? > [@](#): > > **Famine- Michael McShane** Had to look this guy up too. Don’t know him. I think Charles Dance (an awfully underrated actor) could really pull Famine off. > [@](#): > > \*\*Pollution- Bob Hoskins \*\* I’m not seeing this at all. Pollution is young-looking in my mind, athletic. Something like Roy Batty, but Rutger Hauer is too old these days. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/30 "2003-04-22T14:36:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Loneraven \* > \*\*Nope. I love him, too. I especially love the fact he’s “gayer than a treeful of monkeys on nitrous oxide.” \*\* The fact is that he gives the _impression_ of being gayer than a treeful of monkeys on nitrous oxide (along with being intelligent and English). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/31 "2003-04-22T15:34:26Z")
I hated it. Not the least bit funny or interesting in any way. I even read it twice a few years apart just to be sure. People really need to stop recommending this book to others. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/32 "2003-04-22T15:49:54Z")
Terry Gilliam was supposed to start filming _Good Omens_ thsi month, with Robin Williams and Johnny Depp attached to star. However, the latest word I’ve seen was that there was trouble securing the financing, and Gilliam was going to proceed with another project, then come back to _Omens_. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/33 "2003-04-22T15:51:41Z")
I liked it a lot. I’ve never read any of Gaiman’s stuff, but it just read like a regular Pratchett book to me. All the little annotations and overall feel were definitely him. I liked the friendship between the two angels, and that comment in the beginning where they’re talking and Crawly asks Aziraphale about his flaming sword. “They looked cold.” I also liked the premise of the Anti-Christ living his life as a normal, mischievous little kid with no concept of what he is. Interesting idea. And the naming of the Hell Hound scene was great. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/34 "2003-04-22T16:12:19Z")
Ages since I’ve read it. Loved it. Remember the nanny’s version of the “Grand Old Duke of York”? Very amusing. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/35 "2003-04-22T18:23:31Z")
For those who like both “Good Omens” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” there is a pretty good crossover fanfic [here](http://www.livejournal.com/users/daegaer/19996.html#cutid1) . ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/36 "2003-04-22T20:57:12Z")
You’ll get my copy of _GOod Omens_ why you pry it from my cold, dead hands. 😉 That said, I can’t imagine how someone could love _GO_ and **not** like Pratchett’s _Discworld_ stuff. And _The Amazing Maurice_ is a winner – it’s definitely set in the Discworld, but doesn’t require any knowledge of any of the earlier books or characters. While it does raise some adult issues (the ethics of rat poison comes to mind), it’s not too dark that you can’t give it to a well-adjusted eight-year-old. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/37 "2003-04-23T00:12:03Z")
**PatrickM** Wow, is there any crossover that hasn’t been written?? I found GO pretty Pratchetty (who I read avidly), but tried a couple of Gaiman’s books. I liked Neverwhere, and tried another that left little impression and I can’t remember what it was called (about a shooting star and fairyland). Are there any others of his recommended? ---
**Author:** ![Fibber\_McGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a6a055/32.png) [@Fibber\_McGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibber_McGee)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/38 "2003-04-23T00:49:54Z")
Shade: I really enjoyed Gaiman’s latest, _American Gods_. Of course your mileage may vary, but if you liked _Neverwhere_ then you’ll probably like this one as well. ---
**Author:** ![ghandi5569](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@ghandi5569](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghandi5569)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/39 "2003-04-23T03:33:25Z")
I love the part in there where Crowley is driving to Tadfield to join the apocalypse and his car went caput. I love the images of him holding his flaming Bently together with willpower. Reminds me of driving my Sundance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-omens-by-terry-pratchett-and-neil-gaiman/170139/40 "2003-04-23T10:46:45Z")
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