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Book Review: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman


Book Review: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman


Quote: It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.




Aziraphale and Crowley, an angel and a demon, deputed on earth for last six thousand years have become friends when you are immortal and on opposite sides, you attract each other is what I believe. Anges Nutter, the 17th-century witch who changed the meaning of 'nice' for me, has also predicted the exact date of Armageddon.
A classic case of changeling goes super wrong, the antichrist ends up growing up in a village instead of the house of cultural attache. And he is named Adam!
Aziraphale is adorable, a bookworm first an angel later. Love for books is what makes him join Crowley's plan to delay the Armageddon, a demon who cares for himself first loves technology and gardening, rather his plants are afraid of him! The only being Crowley most probably cares for is the sweet angel. Crowley's amazement at mankind's innate nature to destroy paired with puns and hilarious comment on history was a delicious insight.
Shadwell's his constant banter with Madame Tracy was homely and funniest. I especially loved Newton and Anathema's sub-plot, and Newton's question to Anathema, in the end, is beautiful. My favourite part was the gradual introduction of the four horsemen and how each one was a cultural-criticism personified.
Adam's reason to destroy the world is not because he is 'evil' and bored of it, it's because he loves the world so much and cares for depleting population of whales and he is tired of incapable adults.
The book is funny, at times the subtle jokes were hard to grasp as I am not acquainted with British popular culture. But I can bet the story-concept was Neil's and the language was Terry's, though I haven't read enough of him.
The music reference was lost on me, I could only identify Beethoven and Freddie Mercury.
The beauty of story lies in how it pretends to be silly but is actually shrewd! It is an experience packed in words crafted by two authors who thoroughly enjoyed writing it.
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