Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Anansi Boys

Book 2 in the series:American Gods

Save:
Find on Amazon

Anansi Boys is a humorous and entertaining novel that delves into the folklore of the spider god, Anansi, and his two sons, Fat Charlie Nancy and Spider. The story follows the brothers as they meet for the first time after their father's death, leading to a series of events that turn their lives upside down in a funny and dangerous manner. The book combines mythology, magic, and life lessons, weaving a tale that is both modern and rooted in African Anansi myths.

The narrative style of Anansi Boys is a mix of contemporary storytelling and mythical elements, creating a quirky and playful atmosphere. Through the characters of Fat Charlie and Spider, the book explores themes of family, friendship, love, and the power of gods, all set against a backdrop of humor and whimsy. Neil Gaiman's writing skillfully intertwines folklore and modern life, presenting a story that is both inventive and engaging.

Characters:

The characters are well-crafted with distinct personalities, showcasing a range of human emotions and dynamics, with Fat Charlie's challenges and Spider's trickster charm at the forefront.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is humorous and whimsical, easily engaging readers while effectively blending mythology with contemporary settings.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Fat Charlie Nancy, who learns about his father's true identity as the spider god Anansi and struggles with the chaotic arrival of his brother, Spider, leading to humorous yet profound personal growth.

Setting:

The setting seamlessly blends modern urban life with elements of African folklore, creating a vibrant backdrop for the characters' adventures.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow, allowing for character development, but accelerates into an engaging narrative filled with conflict and humor.
In the beginning, after all, were the words, and they came with a tune. That was how the world was made, how the void was divided, how the lands and the stars and the dreams and the little gods and th...

Notes:

Anansi Boys is set in the same universe as American Gods but is more lighthearted and humorous.
The story revolves around Fat Charlie Nancy, who discovers his father is the trickster god Anansi and learns he has a brother named Spider.
The book explores themes of family, identity, and the impact of mythology on modern life.
Gaiman cleverly combines elements of African folklore with contemporary settings.
Lenny Henry narrates the audiobook and is praised for his ability to bring characters to life with distinct voices.
The characters are relatable, especially Fat Charlie, who is often embarrassed by his father's antics.
Gaiman uses humor to tackle serious themes, making the story engaging and entertaining.
The narrative includes snail-paced anecdotes that connect to the overall plot, similar to how oral traditions weave stories together.
Anansi Boys emphasizes the importance of stories as a means of power and identity.
The book contains humorous elements surrounding the mischief and chaos brought by Spider into Fat Charlie's life.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements present, particularly involving the characters Fat Charlie, Spider, and Rosie.

From The Publisher:

Soon to be a streaming series!

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Neil Gaiman returns to the territory of his masterpiece, American Gods (now a hit Starz® Original Series), to once again probe the dark recesses of the soul.

God is dead. Meet the kids.

Fat Charlie Nancy's normal life ended the moment his father dropped dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn't know his dad was a god. And he never knew he had a brother. Now brother Spider is on his doorstep-about to make Fat Charlie's life more interesting . . . and a lot more dangerous.

"Thrilling, spooky, and wondrous."-Denver Post

"Awesomely inventive.… When you take the free-fall plunge into a Neil Gaiman book, anything can happen and anything

invariably does."-Entertainment Weekly

"Delightful, funny and affecting.... A tall tale to end all tall tales."-Washington Post Book World

Ratings (108)

Incredible (17)
Loved It (52)
Liked It (27)
It Was OK (9)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (216):

Read It (115)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (57)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (40)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 week

Fat Charlie learns that not only was his father a god but he has a brother named Spider and the story take of. Eh well it was an okay book to listen to, liked some parts more then others but have a rather lukewarm feeling towards the book and feels rather forgettable. Already forgetting some of it even though I finished it earlier today.

 
Incredible
3 months

I wasn't sure what this book was about when I picked it up, but I knew that I loved Neil Gaiman's work, and that was all I needed to know...

That's still all I need to know. This book was great, and I recommend it to anyone who likes fiction and a hint of mythos or the supernatural.

 

About the Author:

Neil Gaiman is the creator of The Sandman comic book series and the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere (1995), Stardust (1999), the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning American Gods (2001), Coraline (2002), Anansi Boys (2005), The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013), Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett, 1990) and a retelling of the Norse myths: Norse Mythology (2017). His short story collections include Smoke and Mirrors (1998) and Fragile Things (2006). His screenwriting credits include the original BBC TV series of Neverwhere (1996), Dave McKean's first feature film, Mirrormask (2005), two Doctor Who episodes, and Good Omens (2019).

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.