Anansi Boys

· HarperAudio · Narrated by Lenny Henry
4.7
46 reviews
Audiobook
10 hr 3 min
Unabridged
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, a tale playful, profound, and rife with mayhem and mischief―one of ten classic Gaiman works repackaged with elegant original watercolor art by acclaimed artist Henry Sene Yee

When Fat Charlie’s dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie “Fat Charlie.” Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can’t shake that name, one of the many embarrassing “gifts” his father bestowed—before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie’s life. Because Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the stranger who appears on Charlie’s doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Neil Gaiman journeys deep into myth to brings us a tale playful, profound, and rife with mayhem and mischief—an audacious and inspired story of family, luck, deceit, and an unusual legacy that illuminates the divine in our humanity. Not to mention a lime.

“Awesomely inventive.... When you take the free-fall plunge into a Neil Gaiman book, anything can happen and anything invariably does.” —Entertainment Weekly

Ratings and reviews

4.7
46 reviews
Reba Miller
June 1, 2024
all of the characters come across as flat, one-dimensional and caricaturish. the main character is a sad sack who's plot line plays out as stereotypical sad sack things happen to him: he gets stuck in the middle seat, his wife withholds affection, his MiL is sour and undermines him while his boss takes advantage. one supporting character is repeatedly referred to by the size of her coffee mug which is all the personality she is given. Idk I had heard great things so I was expecting something more? the plot line was more interesting, but it also feels a little cringe that a white guy is writing about African mythology and afro-carribean culture. maybe it's a product of it's time but it came across to me like a puppet show panto.
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Christine Blackmore
February 8, 2024
I used to read Brer Anancy stories as a child. This was the first audio and was a surprise find. I enjoyed the voices, so indicative of the characters that I could almost see them. Of course, the main character's name was Fat Charlie. Caribbean folk have a lack of renaming each other, to the point that, at times, no one knows the correct name of the person, even though an adult. This made me wonder if I should take voice-over classes. That should be fun.
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Paul Acevedo
July 19, 2024
One of Neil Gaiman's best books, Anansi Boys is made even better by Lenny Henry's amazing reading. This is such a fun story filled with magic and humor, and the author's figurative language is simply incredible. Even if you've read the physical book, don't miss this audiobook.
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About the author

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning author and creator of many beloved books, graphic novels, short stories, film, television and theatre for all ages. He is the recipient of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and many Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner Awards. Neil has adapted many of his works to television series, including Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College. For a lot more about his work, please visit: https://www.neilgaiman.com/

Lenny Henry began his career in the entertainment industry in 1975 and since then has gone on to appear in such programs as The Lenny Henry Show and Chef. Lenny loves working with Neil Gaiman because he gets free books and comics!

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