Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" book tour.

Cafe Society
1

Last Thursday, I was at one stop of Neil Gaiman’s “last” signing tour in Saratoga Springs, NY, where he spoke and read from his new book “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” The book is a quick read – I finished in a day – and maybe his best novel yet.

I can understand why he won’t be doing any more signing tours: there were 1500 people there, all standing in line to get a signature (one copy the book was part of the admission price). He was there for about four hours, signing away, and he didn’t give you short shrift – he personalized it and drew a little drawing in addition to his name. That’s a long slog if you’re doing it every day (which he is). Most of the other venues for the tour are sold out.

Gaiman was a wonderful speaker. He answered questions for a radio show (which will be online in July), and also from the audience, then read from “The Ocean” and from his upcoming children’s book “Fortunately the Milk,” which is now on my must-read list.

If you’re a Gaiman fan, you definitely should read “The Ocean.” If you’re not, read it and become one. :slight_smile:

2

Thanks for the review of the appearance. I have only ever been to one book signing and that was for John Scalzi. While he is doing well, he is not going to draw the crowds that Gaiman will. It is unfortunate that Gaiman has to give up these appearances, although understandable. Being in the same room with an author as they read from their book is a very neat experience. But Gaiman is pretty much a rockstar right now. I was drawn in by listening to him narrate the audiobook version of the Graveyard Book and have been a fan since.