Mr. Gaiman, a few days ago I watched a movie called ‘The Omen’, from 1977. And I couldn’t stop noticing that it has some similarities to Good Omens — Do you confirm? Or is it just a coincidence? It's not in your head. Good Omens is parodying The Omen and films like that, which at the time we wrote it, were culturally everywhere. It never occurred to us that one day we would have to explain that. Fortunately there are lots of places that explain it for us. For example:
All of which brings us to the novel ofGood Omens, which first appeared in 1990. Let me stress that date. The book appeared at a time when theOmenfilms were still fresh in popular memory, so that readers would exactly know the genre Gaiman and Pratchett were satirizing. The book only makes sense as a direct parody ofThe Omenand its dreadful offspring.The Omenimagines an Antichrist devil-child being born to a powerful US political figure, so he can grow up to be President and initiate the End Times.Good Omensposits an accidental baby swap in which the infant Antichrist ends up in a regular British family and grows up, well, quite nice.
That is what they are satirizing – not the Bible, not Revelation, not Judeo-Christian civilization, but a schlock genre of devil films. It is mocking a dumb genre in popular religious fiction, and what a necessary thing to do.From The Omen, Good Omens, and Why Neil Gaiman is Not the Antichrist https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2019/06/the-omen-good-omens-and-why-neil-gaiman-is-not-the-antichrist-sorry/
FAQs
What was Neil Gaiman's famous quote? ›
Life is always going to be stranger than fiction, because fiction has to be convincing, and life doesn't. The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before.
What did Neil Gaiman say? ›I believe that life is a game, that life is a cruel joke, and that life is what happens when you're alive and that you might as well lie back and enjoy it. I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes...you're Doing Something.
Why does Neil Gaiman say we need books? ›Books are a gateway to making friends with the eminent dead. Books are the way that we communicate with the dead. The way that we learn lessons from those who are no longer with us, that humanity has built on itself, progressed, made knowledge incremental rather than something that has to be relearned, over and over.
Why is Neil Gaiman so famous? ›Following the publication of his groundbreaking series 'Sandman' (1989-1996) he has become established as one of the creators of modern comics, as well as an author whose work crosses genres and reaches audiences of all ages.
What are Neil Gaiman's beliefs? ›Gaiman says that he is not a Scientologist, and that like Judaism, Scientology is his family's religion. About his personal views, Gaiman has stated, "I think we can say that God exists in the DC Universe. I would not stand up and beat the drum for the existence of God in this universe.
What is JRR Tolkien's most famous quote? ›All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. Not all those who wander are lost.
Is Neil Gaiman a Catholic? ›Gaiman grew up in the Jewish faith until his parents adopted Scientology when he was around five (Gaiman is not a Scientologist, although, according to some reports, his sisters and first wife, Mary McGrath, still are). “[I would be prepared to poke fun] with any,” he says.
Is Neil Gaiman dyslexic? ›While not dyslexic himself Neil Gaiman's careers advice is still relevant and uplifting.
What is Neil Gaiman best known for? ›He is best known for the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. As a child and a teenager, Gaiman read the works of C. S.
What makes Neil Gaiman unique? ›Neil's imagination must be on a completely different level. He can conceive of an entire realm with an exciting and unique story. So, it is a guarantee that you will find something completely new when you read one of his works. Neverwhere is another excellent example of his imagination.
What is Only the End of the world Again Neil Gaiman about? ›
The story concerns the character of Lawrence Talbot, a claims adjustor and werewolf who finds himself in Innsmouth on a cold winter's night with the townspeople trying to bring about the return of the Elder Gods. It was written as a tribute to Roger Zelazny, and inspired by his novel A Night in the Lonesome October.
Does Neil Gaiman know how do you read? ›Neil Gaiman: “I've heisted my way to the bestseller list once again. And the most brilliant part is… I don't even know how to read!”
What is the funniest book by Neil Gaiman? ›“Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” (1990) is Gaiman's first, and arguably funniest, published novel and was written with Terry Pratchett, the creator of the Discworld series of British fantasy novels.
What TV show is based on Neil Gaiman? ›The Sandman is an American fantasy drama television series based on the 1989–1996 comic book written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics. The series was developed by Gaiman, David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg for the streaming service Netflix and is produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.
What is a good quote from the book wish? ›You can't judge people for the mistakes they make. You judge them for how they fix those mistakes.
What are some quotes from the book The Giver of Stars? ›There is always a way out of a situation. Might be ugly. Might leave you feeling like the earth had gone and shifted under your feet. But there is always a way around.
What is a quote from the book smile? ›Why don't you bang it against the wall a few times? That way, when you stop banging, it'll hurt less!
Who said there is a book in everyone? ›Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying this during a conversation with colleagues. Hitchens was known for his sardonic wit. The whole quote (or something similar) is “Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where it should, I think, in most cases, remain.”
