Good Omens: 4/5

Good Omens is the result of two wonderful but fairly different authors coming together to create a fantastic comedy about one of the least comedic topics imaginable - the end of the world. This book combines Terry Pratchett's and Neil Gaiman's unique styles incredibly well, leaving a well written, amusing, occasionally touching and very enjoyable story. 

Good Omens is a story about the apocalypse. There, it's out in the open at least, so we can get on with talking about all of the other things it's about. The forces of Good and Evil are working through their master plans for the end of days, which include placing the Antichrist on earth as a baby and bringing him up to orchestrate the end of the world. This is easier said than done however, and through the following of a demon named Crowley ('An angel who did not so much fall as saunter vaguely downwards') and an angel named Aziraphale (who gives several distinct first impressions: very English, very intelligent, and 'gayer than a treeful of monkeys on nitrous oxide'). The incredibly varied cast also includes a mad prophetic witch and her descendants, a hell-hound named Dog, a fair few Satanist nuns, Death and an Antichrist called Adam. 

If you have ever read anything of Pratchett's or Gaiman's before you may be starting to recognise a large dose of their signature surrealism coming through already, and you would be very correct in saying so. If Good Omens is anything it is surreal and just plain weird in places, but it's all part of the charm in my opinion. I really enjoy this book for it's eclectic humour, but also for the surprisingly beautiful moments that pepper the text. The book, understandably, deals with a lot of deep issues such as death, the ineffability of God, human nature, the inaccuracies of Christianity and the issues of growing up. All whist managing to incorporate a section of the book where a group of Hells Angels take a motorcycle ride with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. If you know me at all, you are probably beginning to understand why I enjoy this book as much as I do. 

One thing I will say though which I am not too keen on in Good Omens, or at least can understand why it puts some people off, is the style does get a little repetitive after a while. The flowing prose that is found in most of Gaiman's other works is not often present, and parts of the novel can feel a little stilted. That said however, I don't think it negatively affects the story at all, it's just a stylistic choice that I don't particularly like all the time. 

I don't know what else I can say about Good Omens without ruining the whole book except that it comes very highly recommended from me and a whole lot of other people. This novel has been around a fairly long time and has gained a rather passionate cult following over the years, so be prepared to be sucked into that if you end up enjoying this. I'll end this review then, with a quote from Death himself which is probably my favourite one in the whole book: 'DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH.' Enjoy. 

I would give this book 4 stars out of 5

- Natalie