Neverwhere

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Christopher Lee, James McAvoy, Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Head

Length: 3 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Neil Gaiman was the WINNER of the BBC Audio Drama Award 2015 for Outstanding Contribution to Radio Drama

A BBC Radio six-part adaptation of Neil Gaiman's best-selling novel, starring James McAvoy as Richard and Natalie Dormer as Door.

Beneath the streets of London there is another London. A subterranean labyrinth of sewers and abandoned tube stations. A somewhere that is Neverwhere....

An act of kindness sees Richard Mayhew catapulted from his ordinary life into the strange world of London Below. There he meets the Earl of Earl's Court, faces a life-threatening ordeal at the hands of the Black Friars, comes face to face with the Great Beast of London, and encounters an Angel called Islington.

Adapted for radio by the award-winning Dirk Maggs, this captivating dramatisation features a stellar cast including David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Christopher Lee, Anthony Head and David Schofield.

Contains over 25 minutes of additional unbroadcast material, including extended scenes, bloopers and outtakes.

The full list of narrators includes: James McAvoy, Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Christopher Lee, Anthony Head, David Schofield, Bernard Cribbens, Romola Garai, George Harris, Andrew Sachs, Lucy Cohu, Johnny Vegas, Paul Chequer, Don Gilet, and Abdul Salis.

©2013 AudioGO Ltd (P)2013 AudioGO Ltd

Absolutely Perfect Casting

Where does Neverwhere rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This full cast version has the rare distinction of something I will listen to over and over again.

What did you like best about this story?

I listened to the full story read by Neil Gaiman (which I would also recommend) before listening to this radio drama version because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to follow what was going on. However, this fear was unfounded as the radio drama did a wonderful job abridging the plot and yet keeping all of the important stuff in.

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

The casting was absolutely perfect! Dear Powers That Be, can we please have a movie version with this cast?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The outtakes included in the end had me in hysterics. Particularly, the cast doing a Gregorian chant/beat box alphabet is hilarious.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely worth it!

66 people found this helpful

Always amazing.

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

Oh yes, every single person who likes good things should listen to this. It have tons of amazing voice actors along with a really great, fun story. This is and remains one of my favorite books from Neil Gaiman. So much fun.

What did you like best about this story?

It's so different. The first time I read it, it wasn't like anything I've ever read before. Then, to hear it acted out by some of the best actors of the age? Oho yes.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every scene with Richard and Door/James and Natalie. They just sounded so excellent together. A good energy. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Anthony Head's performance in this production. I've always known him as Giles, but as a baddie, he excels just the same. Tony Head can do no wrong. Same with Bernard Cribbins. Can you tell I loved this adaptation?

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh, for sure. Even though I've read it a few times and listened to version narrated by Gaiman himself, I still enjoyed myself.

Any additional comments?

I was hoping this would be available for purchase once I heard it was going to be a real thing. iTunes had the first episode available for download via podcast, but one episode wasn't enough. Thank you so much for allowing people to get this amazing production. 11/10 would recommend.

29 people found this helpful

Don't start here

As you read through reviews for this offering, you'll see that those who already know and love the story through the full book version also enjoyed this dramatisation. I am one of these. But if you have never read or listened to the full book, it would be very hard to understand what's going on as the audioplay is essentially an abridgement of the story, losing a great deal of the character and plot development. That's the reason for the 3 star story mark - it just doesn't stand alone for the uninitiated. This really is a story that deserves a complete hearing. The voice actors are superb, especially McAvoy and Cumberbatch, but I did drop one performance star for the somewhat scratchy quality of the sound effects.

Neverwhere (the book) was my very first Gaiman experience, and it got me hooked. If you are at all intrigued by the story premise, do yourself a favor and go to the source. Gaiman reads the entire story himself and does his usual remarkable job.

60 people found this helpful

Superb

I don't use superlatives often in my reviews, but this was superb. The cast was fantastic, a perfect Audible performance.

I was a little hesitant to download this since I had not read the book, as a previous reviewer recommended. I nevertheless enjoyed this immensely and felt that comprehension of the story was not a problem.

The only thing I felt to be a slight distraction was the listing of characters and crew after each episode, which is a very minor criticism indeed. This is wonderful entertainment!

44 people found this helpful

Radio production missing what's best about a book

The voice acting and sound production was great and it was a good story but it took a lot of work to visualize it sometimes. It reminded me of driving my SUV with the kids in the back watching a DVD. I could hear the movie but not see it. So I got a sense of the story but sometimes didn't really know what was going on as I couldn't see what was happening.

I was assuming it was just different voices speaking the parts but that all the narration would be there - it was not. I guess I didn't notice "Adaption" in the title. If you were already familiar with the story that would help, but I was not, so there were times where I just didn't know what was happening.

After this I moved on to American Gods and gasped when I noticed that it was "a full cast production." I feared the same issue with a 20 hour book. Much to my delight that one had the full narration with the different voices. That was awesome and is what I was expecting here.

So - I liked the story but I would probably steer clear of a similar production in the future.

12 people found this helpful

Yummy

One of my favorite books ever, read and performed by some of my favorite people. I do think you have to read or listen to an unabridged version first to fully appreciate the story but this was very entertaining.

11 people found this helpful

Never Better!

It's been years since I read (and absolutely loved) "Neverwhere." This is a terrific way to re-discover a fantasy classic.

Others have mentioned the perfect performances here. They are wonderful, and the work has been lovingly and beautifully adapted for radio (and Audible).

If you read the book, dive into this version of "Neverwhere". If you haven't yet experienced Gaiman's crazy world, take a moment to get used to the accents and the background noises, and enter. Like radio, it's presented in episodes - but be prepared to stay up late listening to all of them in one sitting! It's that good!

15 people found this helpful

Best Purchase I've Made from Audible

If you could sum up Neverwhere in three words, what would they be?

Absolutely fantastic performances.

What did you like best about this story?

James McAvoy as Richard Mayhew, followed by superb performances from all of the supporting cast and overall amazing production values.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to many of Gaiman's other books on Audio, including the full-cast version of American Gods. This is better than all of them.

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

Yes!

17 people found this helpful

Go underground. It's one heckuva tale ...

Great writing and a flawless cast produces one fantastic dramatisation of Neil Gaiman's work (the unabridged version read by Gaiman is also brilliant). For those who like dramatisations, this is a stellar cast performance which recounts this strange tale of bravery, intrigue and adventure on the streets of London Below. Benedict Cumberbatch puts in a magnificent performance as The Angel Islington, as does Anthony Head. You won't regret buying this audiobook.

16 people found this helpful

A superbly acted fantasy play.

As you can see from the other reviews, the consensus was the acting in this play was excellent. I agree completely.

The story is a fun, fantasy tale about a fellow who falls into a dangerous, alternate reality existing in the sewers, subway lines, and elsewhere under London. For some reason, I found it very funny that one of the characters was named the "Marquis de Carabas" -- a reference to the story of Puss in Boots.

Lots of drama. Good fun. Highly recommended.

7 people found this helpful

Fantastic Adaptation

This brings the book to life wonderfully. The casting is perfect BC makes a wonderful Angel Islington. A fantastic listen.

10 people found this helpful

Like a film only better

Would you consider the audio edition of Neverwhere [Adaptation] to be better than the print version?

Full of sound effects and great character portrayals both of which added to the story rather than detracting from it.

Any additional comments?

A mixture of fantastical and real gritty London. I loved the acting, they really got into the story and sounded like they were enjoying themselves. Great entertainment, I felt like I was watching a movie! A concise, thourougly enjoyable and unpredictable play.

8 people found this helpful

Incredible dramatisation

An outstanding cast performs this first-class performance. Whilst each member is known for other works, they bring Neil Gaiman's tale alive.
I've found myself observing the folk around me in a different way, almost looking for people from London Below.

6 people found this helpful

Good adaptation

Would you listen to Neverwhere [Adaptation] again? Why?

Absolutely. Good adaptation & well enacted. Have listened a few times & enjoyed enjoyed it as much each time. Well cast.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Gaiman's style but hadn't had the chance to read Neverwhere. This allowed me a teaser that encouraged me to find time to read the source.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Big fan of Gaiman's style - he has a way of enticing you in like the folk tale tellers of old which makes it perfect to be made into an audiobook

Any additional comments?

I was excited when BBC adapted & released Neverwhere & streamed each section as it was aired. I was even more excited to hear that it was to be released as an audiobook. It was the thing that got me onto audiobooks (perfect for someone who loves to read but is sometimes too fatigued to hold a physical book)

4 people found this helpful

Amazing Story, Amazing Cast, Amazing Soundscape..

I was SO happy to see Audible have this now, I first heard it on the Radio and loved it, it's my favourite Neil Gaiman story, Dirk Maggs and the cast (including Christopher Lee, Cumberbatch and Natalie Dormer) bring it to life in an exceptional way. The soundscapes and effects add so much value, this is the BBC at it's best. Brilliant.

12 people found this helpful

What a corker!!

Great story. Performances really brought this to life. Enjoyed the out takes at the end too - very funny.

3 people found this helpful

Unexpected Pleasure

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

I don't read fantasy novels and I don't listen to dramatisations, so I'm not sure why I bought this, but I am so very, very glad I did! This is just superb from start to finish - an inspired idea (a parallel ''London Below' inhabited by an actual Angel of Islington and an Earl of Court) with a stellar cast (James McEvoy is spot on as Richard, but Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Lee as the aforementioned Angel and Earl almost steal the show from a brilliant Bernard Cribbins as Old Bailey) make this an absolutely compelling listen.

What other book might you compare Neverwhere [Adaptation] to, and why?

This is pretty unique, so nothing quite like it. Doctor Who - at its very best - is a good comparator: think the Weeping Angels in 'Blink' or 'The Empty Child'.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Too many to mention - the Floating Market and the fight on the Drawbridge stands out, as does the encounter with the Earl in the train carriage. The scenes with Old Bailey give a sense of space (as they happen on the rooftop) that counterpoints the claustrophobia below. Has to be the candlelit scenes with the Angel that work the best, though.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved Cumberbatch's portrayal of the Angel of Islington - you could really feel centuries of weariness in his voice.

Any additional comments?

I've watched the BBC dramatisation since, which - whilst not as good as this - is very entertaining. If you like this, watch is, if only for the most deliciously creepy performance you'll ever see from Hywel Bennett.

3 people found this helpful

A fairytale for adults

Would you consider the audio edition of Neverwhere [Adaptation] to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but this adaptation with different actors and sound effects was excellent, and I imagine very different from the book version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are several: Hunter, Door, and also the protagonist, Richard. It's difficult to pin point why.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They all add depth to the characters and especially Benedict Cumberbatch as the Angel gives an excellent performance.

Any additional comments?

Like Gaiman's other book, the story has a fairytale-like quality to it. It's intentionally (I think) silly in places, but quite enjoyable and not very long.

7 people found this helpful

Captivated

Would you listen to Neverwhere again? Why?

Yes I'd listen again and probably again after that. The dramatisation was excellent, the only very minor criticism was the sound recording at the beginning where I missed some of the dialogue. The actors were excellent as was the storey line. I listened to the whole book in one go.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Neverwhere?

The fantasy locations and use of real locations turning them into something completely different, who would have thought Kightsbridge could be a really dodgy place named The Nights Bridge" where your nightmares can be found.

7 people found this helpful

awesome

just magically wonderful, I listen to it constantly and it remains totally amazing every time

2 people found this helpful