Anansi Boys

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Lenny Henry

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

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)

Blown away by Larry Henry

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yep. Neil Gaiman always spins a good yarn.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Anansi Boys?

The lime.

What about Lenny Henry’s performance did you like?

His characters were so well defined and voiced. Masterful storytelling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. This was enjoyed over many, many walks.

Sometimes less is more.

This was a fine compilation of folktales from Africa and the Caribbean and well told they were. The pseudo-rhythmical musical interludes between segments were quite unnecessary and distracting to the point of near insult. Well worth the time and very entertaining!

I wish Lenny Henry could narrate every book!

The story was good, but Lenny Henry was GREAT! The voices and accents were perfect. I loved everything about this book.

amazing voice actors and beautiful story.

The voice actor provided us with a thoroughly enjoyable performance for a very beautiful and highly thought out book.

Great read after American Gods.

I grew up loving what I learned about Greek and Roman mythology, but missed studying about Pagan religions around the world. I loved Anansi so much, I have done lots of independent reading about the Pagan gods of Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Still, a spider god does give me a heebie jeebie feeling.

Fantstic

Love neil gaiman and all his books!!! The narrator was also great and definitely a good listen.

An Exceptional Narration

I love Neil Gaiman's books. I really love audio of Neil Gaiman's books. This is quite possibly my favorite. Lenny Henry's narration is superb. His pace and timing are perfect. He gives each character a distinct voice and never sounds tripped up about who he is when. And a weird little thing, he never whisper shouts. I've noticed with most Narrators, if a line is to be delivered as a shout or yell, they whisper it. Lenny pulls back from the microphone and gives you full voice that doesn't blow out your ear drums. And he is funny. I mean, the book is funny so that helps, but Lenny's natural comedic talent shines through his narration.

Great story and good audio version!

Liked the story, a good entry by Neil Gaimen, and good to experience after American Gods. The narrator was pretty good at voices, distinct for most of the main characters, and very nice at exposition. There was a chapter where I assume the narrator was receiving text messages that was unfortunate and some of the minor character voices blended (this is understandable given the breadth of voices required). Overall good!

great story, great narration, great sequel (ish)

A super fun spin-off of American Gods. Masterfully written and masterfully read. Two thumbs up!

How do I luv Neil Gaiman bks let me count the ways

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! Especially if you were/are a fan of British humor - I actually laugh out loud at some of his character's comments. Subtle, but very Monty Python.

What other book might you compare Anansi Boys to and why?

Many of Neil Gaiman's books - The Graveyard,

What does Lenny Henry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am usually picky about my narrators and with Neil Gaiman, I enjoy him reading his own books, but Lenny Henry was almost as good at reading the humor and character voices as Neil G. is, so I'm pleasantly surprised and will look for this narrator again in other books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How the world was made - according to Neil Gaimen -