"It was much, much more fun being absolutely unknown"

December 5, 2013 4:46 PM

Laurie Penny interviews Neil Gaiman on his career, success and influence.
posted by paleyellowwithorange (11 comments total)

Gaiman's also the sort of rock star writer who will agree to a random fan interviewing him (briefly) over Twitter at one o'clock in the morning.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:11 PM on December 5, 2013

Someone to me over Thanksgiving: "Do you know Amanda Palmers husband? He was just on the radio and he sounds really interesting."
posted by Artw at 5:15 PM on December 5, 2013 [10 favorites]

There is something so gentle and reflective about him. I love how all his stories are pearls - layers and layers of translucence that form something glowing at the end.
posted by Deoridhe at 5:17 PM on December 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

I've always felt very blasé about Gaiman because I see him as a sort of home favorite (my friend danced with his daughter at Fiddler's Green) and because I don't really care about any of his writing outside Sandman, but I've always liked his style.
posted by cthuljew at 6:02 PM on December 5, 2013

Hmmm, I didn't think much of that interview/profile - really highlights the risk of fan interviews, imho. It's possible I'm saying this because all of Gaiman's work I've read* has just never resonated for me beyond being perfectly middling and quite generic fantasy.

But honestly, that was more like those pieces in Esquire where they interview Scarlett Johanson or whoever. Hopelessly sycophantic and lacking an evidence of broader engagement with the subject's work or life.

"Could Gaiman be more inescapably perfect? His books have cured cancer; he's more popular than Jesus and The Beetles combined; and he's modest, so intelligent he actually possesses skills of telekinesis; and has arguably written the only books ever that matter."

I dunno, these panegyrics are fine from fans on blogs and forums, I like a little more meat to my interviews.

American Gods, Stardust, and Neverwhere. That was enough for me. I just didn't find the novels that extraordinary in prose, narrative, characterisation, or ideas. Perfectly fine, but perfectly middle-of-the-road. Also Americans Gods wasted the best premise ever: what's more interesting - a war between gods or "it was all a trick!"? Goddamn.
posted by smoke at 9:59 PM on December 5, 2013 [4 favorites]

smoke: Gaiman's "adult" novels never grabbed me either. His children's literature (The Graveyard Book, Coraline etc etc) is fantastic though - well worth reading.
posted by pharm at 3:17 AM on December 6, 2013

You know, as quickly as he shuts down if you mention Scientology, he shuts down even faster if you tell him, "Hey, I loved Nightmare Before Christmas! Big fan."
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:08 AM on December 6, 2013

The full quote from the title is “It was much, much more fun being absolutely unknown, and have people go, ‘Oh my God, this guy’s good’.” It's a bit of of pedantic note, but an important distinction. There's surely not much pleasure in being unknown and then having people go, "Oh my God, this guy's awful."
posted by Going To Maine at 6:31 AM on December 6, 2013

Quite agree, smoke, it's not too bad but I expected something a bit more incisive or socially relevant from Laurie Penny.

As for the second matter - there's always Lord of Light.
posted by forgetful snow at 6:46 AM on December 6, 2013

Why does she bother to describe his clothing and the history of his wardrobe? How in hell is that relevant? Is her editor on holiday?
posted by Goofyy at 7:15 AM on December 6, 2013

You guys have read articles in things before...?
posted by Artw at 7:22 AM on December 6, 2013