The world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday. Just before dinner, according to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies written in 1655. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing and everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.

Put New York Times bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett together . . . and all Hell breaks loose.

Amazon.com Review
Pratchett (of Discworld fame) and Gaiman (of Sandman fame) may seem an unlikely combination, but the topic (Armageddon) of this fast-paced novel is old hat to both. Pratchett's wackiness collaborates with Gaiman's morbid humor; the result is a humanist delight to be savored and reread again and again. You see, there was a bit of a mixup when the Antichrist was born, due in part to the machinations of Crowley, who did not so much fall as saunter downwards, and in part to the mysterious ways as manifested in the form of a part-time rare book dealer, an angel named Aziraphale. Like top agents everywhere, they've long had more in common with each other than the sides they represent, or the conflict they are nominally engaged in. The only person who knows how it will all end is Agnes Nutter, a witch whose prophecies all come true, if one can only manage to decipher them. The minor characters along the way (Famine makes an appearance as diet crazes, no-calorie food and anorexia epidemics) are as much fun as the story as a whole, which adds up to one of those rare books which is enormous fun to read the first time, and the second time, and the third time...

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 526 reviews)

Creative... Hilarious... a little confusing to start....

Good Omens, co-authored by the powerful duo of Terry Pratchet and Neil Gaimen, is a unique and hilarious look at the subject many of us avoid most of our lives: our pending doom, the apocolypse.
Many characters are introduced quickly (aided by a list of characters) in this novel lead by Azariphale, the angel of light, and Crowley , the angel of dark, two rivaling buddies who are waiting to do their respective employers bidding. Their bidding you ask? To see to the inevitable doom of the earth catapulted by a war of good and evil. This would be bought into fruition by a young, impish child in the London subarbs named Adam Young, the antichrist.
Good Omens is a cleverly written novel that, after the first 70 pages, will keep you turning pages like you're desperately trying to find a crucial answer in an open-book exam. Drawback in this novel (at least to me personally) is those first 70 pages, they definately drag and pulled me in enough directions to force me to reread a couple of chapters over again. I always look at this as a definate strike against writing a clear, easily-understood story. Also, the introduction to so many characters so quickly is a turn-off (again, to me personally), practically requires a cast of characters.
Bottom line: definately recommended. Hilarious novel. Pokes a little fun at God and religion and the whole deal, so if that would offend you then staying away might be a good idea. Despite minor setbacks, 4 stars easy.
January 06, 2009

Laughing at the end of the world

The end of the world is at hand, and the forces of Heaven and Hell are preparing for the final battle of Good vs. Evil. Unfortunately, the representatives of both Heaven and Hell have grown rather fond of Earth in general, and humans in particular, and decide that they would prefer not to have it all end. Unfortunately, the Antichrist was misplaced at birth, causing confusion among the gathering forces. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride forth on their motorcycles and the end of creation seems at hand.

Written with an ineffable sense of humor, this book manages to make the end of the world fun, a farce that will leave the reader giggling, if not laughing out loud. Very entertaining.
December 17, 2008

Hilarious MUST Read!

A book about Angels, Demons, An 11 year old Anti-Christ, Armageddon and the end of the world. It's sacrilegious & hilarious, with startling moments of insight about human nature and, through no fault of their own, theological truth. (Oh, not about the end of the world, but most definitely about the ineffable ways of God.)

Did I mention it's hilarious? I too literally laughed out loud while reading this book!

The story starts out at the very beginning when an Angel and a Demon hold a conversation about the ousting of Man and Woman from the Garden of Eden. It then jumps ahead thousands of years to present day.

The Angel Aziraphale is still around, awaiting the final days as a part time antique book collector. The Demon- once known as Crawly because of his part in the fall of Man- has changed his name to a more palatable Crowley and is doing his part to irritate the sons of man by screwing with traffic and tying up phone lines. Crowley has just been notified that its time. The Anti-Christ- that much prophesied Son of Satan- is about to be born and it's time for Crowley to step up and make sure the spawn of the devil is sent to the right home.

Only Crowley isn't so much interested in ending the world. He likes it here. And so does the Angel Aziraphale. But they go about their business anyway, because after all, that's what they were created to do, setting things into motion that will bring about the final battle of good and evil. Yeah, Crowley messes it up, but somehow, like much of the things that happen in this book- and in life, really- it was all part of the Grand Scheme, anyway.

I loved this book! My favorite bit was how these authors bring the notorious characters from Revelations into the 21st century- the four horseman in particular! (I.E. Famine invented starving yourself to be fashionable, nouvelle cuisine, & fast food chains. Very Clever!)

This book came to me as recommendation, - so I'm passing it along to you! If you haven't read it yet, you MUST!
December 10, 2008

I Drove My Roommate Crazy

I first read this book in college. I'd drive my poor roommate nuts because I would stay up late reading and laughing really hard.
LOVE this book!
November 03, 2008

Good Omens is Just Plain Good Fun

It is in England, eleven years before the Apocalypse, when the demon Crowley's worst fear is realized. He receives a summons from Hell to pick up the Anti-Christ and deliver the infant to a human family. The only problem is, Crowley likes the world and doesn't want it destroyed. And so, he enlists the help of his long-time rival, the angel Aziraphale, and the two set off to save humankind. Pratchett and Gaiman deliver an exquisitely crafted novel, and a hilarious and poignant examination of the most complex character of all--human nature. Consider yourself warned--this book will have you laughing to yourself in the middle of the night and when you've turned the last page--leave you thinking.
November 01, 2008

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