• Anansi Boys

  • By: Neil Gaiman
  • Narrated by: Lenny Henry
  • Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (21,423 ratings)

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Anansi Boys  By  cover art

Anansi Boys

By: Neil Gaiman
Narrated by: Lenny Henry
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Publisher's summary

God is dead. Meet the kids.

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed, before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.

Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun, just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

Returning to the territory he so brilliantly explored in his masterful New York Times best seller American Gods, the incomparable Neil Gaiman offers up a work of dazzling ingenuity, a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth that is at once startling, terrifying, exhilarating, and fiercely funny, a true wonder of a novel that confirms Stephen King's glowing assessment of the author as "a treasure house of story, and we are lucky to have him."

©2005 Neil Gaiman (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

  • Locus Award, 2006
  • Alex Award, 2006

" "Excellent." (Stephen King)
"It's Gaiman's focus on Charlie and Charlie's attempts to return to normalcy that make the story so winning...along with gleeful, hurtling prose." (Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: Dream Big—Meet the All-Star Cast of The Sandman: Act II


Immerse yourself in the world of The Sandman right now with an unforgettable audio experience. The star power alone is worth the price of admission—the cumulative amount of awards that have been won by the cast over the course of their careers is simply staggering. The cast features some of the most talented and esteemed actors working today. So let's dive right into the who's who of The Sandman: Act II.

Discover The Sandman Series
and More From Neil Gaiman

What listeners say about Anansi Boys

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Even better than American Gods!

10 stars! I loved American Gods, but I think I actually loved this one more. Gaiman does a masterful job of weaving Fat Charlie's normal life with the magic of his father Anansi and his brother Spider. He also does an amazing job as narrator! This will be one I definitely listen to again!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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One of Gaiman's funniest books!!

Fantastic characters and on the spot humor. Great twists. First time I've read a fantasy book with a cast of mainly black characters and they're all interesting and well developed

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So very very good

I love Neil Gaiman stories in any format, and I’ve read this one more than once which is something I don’t usually do. I’m of the philosophy that there are so many good stories out there it is almost wasteful to revisit ... Neil Gaiman is the exception to my rule. And this performance by Lenny Henry is exquisite.

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Read at .80 speed

Superb story with fun narration. The narrator, however, talks way to fast -- I recommend listening at 80% of the standard speed.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mind Bending

His stories are almost hypnotic when you get into them. I am beginning to prefer Gaiman over Cormac McCarthy! Turns out not all of life has to be dark and dystopian.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Uniquely written, very entertaining

Loved it, didn't know what I was getting into. Very pleased I ventured out of my normal genres. Gave me a glimpse into African-Carribean culture.

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I really hope they pick this up as a show

they already have the character spider in American Gods so it would be awesome to see this book on my TV. I hope somebody makes that happen

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Absolutely Loved It!

Absolutely Loved It!
This and Ocean at the end of the lane
At my favorites. I like the caring love endings best

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Terrific, charming, fun read/listen!

I rarely take the time to write a review but I’ve just finished this. There’s a smile on my face and I wanted to share my feelings. If you’ve read or listened to American Gods then you’ll fully enjoy the return to Neil Gaiman’s story. Don’t even hesitate, buy the book, use the credit it’s well worth it! Lenny Henry’s read is perfect!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Weird and wonderful!

Ok wow, this is an oddly great book! Funny, entertaining weirdness! The narrator brought it home! I’m going to say his voices are, at times, unusual but it totally added to the charm of the book! It’s like he thought ok now I’m going to talk like a little old lady and then made himself laugh at the result. Again,entertaining weirdness! Spend the credit!

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