Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Book Cover
PAGES
412
APPEAL FACTORS
This is a story of the Apocalypse with a humorous twist. It pokes fun at many of the past superstitious beliefs held throughout the years in Christianity, but also teaches some valid truths, such as humanity's greatest enemy is itself.
BOOKTALKING
The classic Good vs Evil vs a more relative Good vs. Evil
Adam decided to go a different route than the fate he was supposed to fulfill. We are the masters of our own fate.
Crowley and Aziraphale are neither purely good or purely evil. We have the power to choose no matter our situation.
The irony of Crowley and Aziraphale focusing on the wrong child and yet still taking a part in thwarting the Apocalypse.
How the Them influenced Adam and his ultimate choice to not end the world.
Often times the way we imagine events turning out are very different then how they actually work out.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Do you think Crowley is all bad and that Aziraphale is all good? Why or why not?
What messages do you think the authors are trying to communicate through this satirical work?
Crowley and Aziraphale eventually discovered that Warlock was not the AntiChrist and that it was Adam? How do you think this mistake influenced the eventual fate of the world?
Do you believe that it was part of the grand scheme that the Apocalypse wouldn't go as they all thought it would? Why or why not?
Do you think there were superfluous characters that could have been left out of the book? If so, who?
Do you think that Agnes Nutter and Anathema were just devices to move the story along or do they play a more important part of the satire of the story?
WHY THIS BOOK?
I was talking to one of my fellow employees/librarians about this assignment, and they recommended this book to me. They did that at the risk of not having read the book themselves yet, but had been given glowing reviews of it from friends, and they felt that this book was right up my alley. When I read the synopsis on the back of the book I knew she was right. This was a book I would very much enjoy. And I did.
THE AUTHORS
Terry Pratchett
Neal Gaiman
SIMILAR TITLES/AUTHORS
The Sandman: Book of Dreams by Neil Gaiman
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diane Wynn Jones
Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming by Zelazny
AWARDS
Locus Aware Nominee for Best Fantasy 1991
World Fantasy Award Nominee For Best Novel 1991
POINTS TO REMEMBER
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Pratchett, T. & Gaiman, N. (1990). Good omens: The nice and accurate prophecies of agnes nutter, witch. New York, NY/USA. HarperTorch.
PAGES
412
PURCHASING OPTIONS
Hardcover $27.10
Paperback $7.55
Paperback $7.55
NOOK $7.99
Audiobook $31.39
Audiobook $31.39
Kindle $7.63
Hardcover $24.99
Hardcover $24.99
Paperback $16.51
Mass Market Paperback from $7.19
Audio CD $31.39
Audio CD $31.39
ANNOTATION
The Apocalypse is about to be hilariously thwarted by the most unlikely duo.
SUMMARY
hilariously
MY REVIEW
If subtle, witty, dry British humor is your thing, then you need not look any further. This book is saturated with the type of hilarity that doesn't leave your abs aching or your eyes streaming. Instead you are possessed with the desire to scoff or chuckle snobbishly while having some tea and biscuits.
Crowley is the perfect demon with not a care in the world but with all the nonchalant class and style people pay thousands for. Aziraphale is the lovable, kind, angel who you can't not like and would do anything to have a look inside is bookshop. As for Agnes Nutter, well she made sure she and everyone around her within a square mile got theirs while we all get to laugh on the sidelines.
The footnotes are carefully crafted to add a bit of superfluous information that does not distract from the overall intention of the story, and although it takes the reader out of the natural course of the story it adds a comedic diversion which the reader is able to quickly forgive.
At times it is difficult to keep track of all the goings on of the plethora of characters in the story, and there are so many minor characters that its hard to know when they enter and leave the story. I also feel that this book is one for those of an acquired taste and not for the general reader. It takes one with a witty and subtle sense of humor to truly appreciate this work.
At the end of the chaos, laughter, and satirizing of many Christian beliefs there is an important truth being told. Humanity's worst enemy-and greatest ally-is itself.
RATING
Quality: Gold
Popularity: Ruby
The Apocalypse is about to be hilariously thwarted by the most unlikely duo.
SUMMARY
hilariously
MY REVIEW
If subtle, witty, dry British humor is your thing, then you need not look any further. This book is saturated with the type of hilarity that doesn't leave your abs aching or your eyes streaming. Instead you are possessed with the desire to scoff or chuckle snobbishly while having some tea and biscuits.
Crowley is the perfect demon with not a care in the world but with all the nonchalant class and style people pay thousands for. Aziraphale is the lovable, kind, angel who you can't not like and would do anything to have a look inside is bookshop. As for Agnes Nutter, well she made sure she and everyone around her within a square mile got theirs while we all get to laugh on the sidelines.
The footnotes are carefully crafted to add a bit of superfluous information that does not distract from the overall intention of the story, and although it takes the reader out of the natural course of the story it adds a comedic diversion which the reader is able to quickly forgive.
At times it is difficult to keep track of all the goings on of the plethora of characters in the story, and there are so many minor characters that its hard to know when they enter and leave the story. I also feel that this book is one for those of an acquired taste and not for the general reader. It takes one with a witty and subtle sense of humor to truly appreciate this work.
At the end of the chaos, laughter, and satirizing of many Christian beliefs there is an important truth being told. Humanity's worst enemy-and greatest ally-is itself.
RATING
Quality: Gold
Popularity: Ruby
GENRE & SUB GENRES
Fantasy
Fiction
Humor
Urban Fantasy
Fiction
Humor
Urban Fantasy
APPEAL FACTORS
This is a story of the Apocalypse with a humorous twist. It pokes fun at many of the past superstitious beliefs held throughout the years in Christianity, but also teaches some valid truths, such as humanity's greatest enemy is itself.
BOOKTALKING
The classic Good vs Evil vs a more relative Good vs. Evil
Adam decided to go a different route than the fate he was supposed to fulfill. We are the masters of our own fate.
Crowley and Aziraphale are neither purely good or purely evil. We have the power to choose no matter our situation.
The irony of Crowley and Aziraphale focusing on the wrong child and yet still taking a part in thwarting the Apocalypse.
How the Them influenced Adam and his ultimate choice to not end the world.
Often times the way we imagine events turning out are very different then how they actually work out.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Do you think Crowley is all bad and that Aziraphale is all good? Why or why not?
What messages do you think the authors are trying to communicate through this satirical work?
Crowley and Aziraphale eventually discovered that Warlock was not the AntiChrist and that it was Adam? How do you think this mistake influenced the eventual fate of the world?
Do you believe that it was part of the grand scheme that the Apocalypse wouldn't go as they all thought it would? Why or why not?
Do you think there were superfluous characters that could have been left out of the book? If so, who?
Do you think that Agnes Nutter and Anathema were just devices to move the story along or do they play a more important part of the satire of the story?
WHY THIS BOOK?
I was talking to one of my fellow employees/librarians about this assignment, and they recommended this book to me. They did that at the risk of not having read the book themselves yet, but had been given glowing reviews of it from friends, and they felt that this book was right up my alley. When I read the synopsis on the back of the book I knew she was right. This was a book I would very much enjoy. And I did.
THE AUTHORS
Terry Pratchett
Neal Gaiman
REVIEWS
The Sandman: Book of Dreams by Neil Gaiman
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diane Wynn Jones
Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming by Zelazny
AWARDS
Locus Aware Nominee for Best Fantasy 1991
World Fantasy Award Nominee For Best Novel 1991
- A comedy on the Apocalypse
- Angels and Demons living among humans
- British humor
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