Neil Gaiman Books

Neil Gaiman 

This British author has become an integral part of literature, with his works spanning sci-fi, horror and fantasy genres for adults and children. Known for his groundbreaking gothic fantasy stories, he was heavily inspired by the work of Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe. Master storyteller, Neil Gaiman, has produced some of the best novels, short stories, poetry and graphic novels. With his ability to blend mythologies, folklore, history and religion to create epic tales it is easy to see why Gaiman has become so popular. 

His first novel, Good Omens, was published, in 1990 alongside legendary fantasy writer Terry Pratchett. However, before this was published Gaiman had been working on graphic novels. After seeing some of his previous comic collaborations, DC Comics hired him in 1987 and this would be where he would begin his work on The Sandman. The comic series ran for seven years, from January 1989 and concluded in March 1996. 

Gaiman’s first solo novel was a novelisation of his television series Neverwhere. Released in 1996, the novel is set in a fantastical London with two realms, London Above and London Below. Then, in 1999 Gaiman published Stardust, American Gods in 2001 and Anansi Boys in 2005. He has also turned his hand to children’s literature, in 2002 Coraline was published. The novella follows young Coraline as she must navigate her way through an evil alternate universe with the help of a talking cat. Gaiman’s next children's novel was The Graveyard Book, published in 2008, which follows a young boy called Bod who is adopted by the spiritual inhabitants of a graveyard after his family is killed. In 2017 Gaiman published a non-fiction retelling of several famous stories from Norse Mythology. 

All of Gaiman’s works have recognisable illustration styles, he has worked closely with illustrators to ensure his characters and style are represented accurately. Most famously, Gaiman’s collaboration with Chris Riddell has provided the iconic look for Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Take a look at our Chris Riddell Collection for more titles illustrated and written by Riddell.

As Seen on Screen

Numerous adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s works have been made for film and TV, all with outstanding cast lists. This includes the 2019 TV series Good Omens starring Michael Sheen as the angel Aziraphale and David Tennant as the demon Crowley. More recently, Netflix’s adaptation of The Sandman starring Tom Sturridge as Dream and Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar has quickly become incredibly successful. Additionally, the Netflix series Lucifer starring Tom Ellis as the titular role is in fact based on Gaiman’s Lucifer featured in The Sandman comics. There are many other famous adaptations of Gaiman’s work including the stop-motion style animation Coraline and the 2007 movie adaptation of Stardust starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox and Robert De Niro. 

Gaiman’s work has also been adapted in other ways. With Coraline being adapted into a graphic novel and The Ocean at the End of the Lane has been adapted into a play, these are two examples of how his work transcends into many different formats and remains highly popular. 

Check out The Sandman Complete Collection which contains all four books with all 75 issues inside. The perfect accompaniment for a fan of the series.