Hi everyone. Today we embark on part two of our discussion of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere courtesy of Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. Carl has prepared the questions below. I hope you’ll join us!

1. Chapter 6 begins with Richard chanting the mantra, “I want to go home”.  How do you feel about Richard and his reactions at this point to the unexpected adventure he finds himself on?

More than once during this section I sensed allusions, the first being Wizard of Oz. The difference is that Dorothy had a home to go home to. Auntie Em, Jessica is not. When he wants to go home, I feel Richard is speaking more from a petulant fear than from any true homesickness. Personally, I hope he doesn’t go home.

I was gratified that following his capture of the key, the narrator observes that Richard looked less boyish “as if he had begun to grow up.” Peter Pan, anyone?

2.  The Marquis de Carabas was even more mysterious and cagey during the first part of this week’s reading.  What were your reactions to him/thoughts about him as you followed his activities?

In typical Gaiman fashion, the author turns our expectations on their heads. The marquis muses to himself that he is neither good nor brave. In the next tortured breath, he acts in a manner seemingly both good and brave when he “spat a gob of scarlet blood into Mr. Vandemar’s face.”

I was plenty worried when the marquis arranged a meeting with our arch villains, but I believe (in part because the marquis knows full well the consequences of his actions) that it is all in selfless service of Door.

3.  How did you feel about the Ordeal of the Key?

I found the blackfriars pretty interesting. At first they appear doddering, even insensitive, but they seem to be observers compelled but rather powerless. In some ways more the archetype of angels than the angel himself in that they watch and guide but ultimately the human charts his course.

In the end after Richard gains the key, the abbot says, “God help us all.” With black friars as counterpoint to gold angel, I’m thinking lead vs. gold.

4.  This section of the book is filled with moments.  Small, sometimes quite significant, moments that pass within a few pages but stick with you.  What are one or two of these that you haven’t discussed yet that stood out to you, or that you particularly enjoyed.

I wanted to stay all night with the angel. The beauty of the writing and scene setting kept me spellbound. And I was drooling for a goblet of that delectable golden wine!

Later I was surprised by the viciousness of the hangover. Methinks perhaps this golden angel path may be another Gaiman sleight of hand–what appears light may prove dark. Now my mind is drifting to Shakespeare and his casks of gold, silver,  and lead–with gold and silver suspect. Much of the below world is lead, and the better for it.

5.  Any other things/ideas that you want to talk about from this section of the book?

Epiphany. OMG. (Sorry, I had to slip into valleygirlspeak for a moment.) I was like, you know, smacking my head and thinking Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. From there I started creating a mental lesson plan for my students. There are so many possibilities for the various steps that I want to see what students can conjure.

However, I will finish the book first to determine appropriate ages, maybe 8th grade and up. I have a feeling the book will morph again and again. Perhaps the dark will become darker still.