More likely than not, you’re in some way familiar with either Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett. We have Neil Gaiman to thank for the stop-motion masterpiece of Coraline and the world of American Gods, while Pratchett is well-known for his series Discworld, which consists of 41 different fantasy novels. However, it’s the collaboration between these two authors that I want to bring your attention to. Good Omens was written in 1990 by both Pratchett and Gaimain; Gaiman decided to try his hand at novel writing and sent out a tentative idea to some of his colleagues; eight months later, Pratchett responded. Good Omens is the undeniably fantastic culmination of the literary genius of two celebrated authors.
Good Omens is set during the slow approach of the Apocalypse, as predicted by the 1655 book The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. The forces of both Good and Evil are amassing and positively chomping at the bit to go to war. Most of them are, at least. The two exceptions, an angel and a demon who’ve come to love Earth and its people, aren’t really looking forward to everything going up in flames. And they decide to do something about it.
Though it is a comedy, Good Omens deals with the decidedly philosophical topic of Good vs. Evil. It poses the question of what makes someone good, or evil, or if the two truly exist. In any other book, these ponderings would come across as heavy and dry, but Pratchett and Gaiman present the topic in a light way, woven throughout a delightfully cheeky plot. Their characters are incredibly unique and well-developed, from the mighty archangel to the coy séance charlatan. Additionally, Good Omens has a running background playlist of Queen and Mozart, a mix that only makes sense once you read the book.
Good Omens has also been made into an equally amusing TV show, starring David Tenant and Michael Sheen as its stars (interestingly enough, it continues beyond the end of the book and into uncharted territory). As you make your way through its pages, Good Omens will have you quietly laughing and engaging in deep contemplation within the same breath. It is both hilarious and insightful, captivating and witty.
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