47 pages 1 hour read

Neil Gaiman

Anansi Boys

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Anansi Boys follows Charles "Fat Charlie" Nancy, who discovers his late father was Anansi, the West African trickster god, and that he has a brother named Spider who inherited their father's powers. As Spider disrupts Charlie's life, Charlie navigates betrayal, magical conflicts, and self-discovery, ultimately learning to embrace his heritage and abilities while resolving familial tensions in a fantastical world.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman blends fantasy and humor through a compelling tale of gods and mortals. Praised for its wit and imaginative storytelling, the book excels in character development and cultural references. However, some readers found the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s a delightful and engaging read with rich narrative layers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Anansi Boys?

Readers who enjoy fantastical narratives blending myth and modern life will be captivated by Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys. Fans of magical realism and folklore, akin to those who cherished American Gods or Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, will find this novel's humor and mythology engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

13+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Modern Classic Fiction

Magical Realism

Themes

Relationships: Family

Relationships: Siblings

Relationships: Fathers