The programme zone started filling up an hour before his scheduled arrival @ 7.15pm. There were some fans who took the trouble to dress up (at least 1 Morpheus, a couple of Deaths). Then Neil Gaiman arrived, wearing his “essential” black leather jacket … in fact he was totally dressed in black.
Basically the event consisted of Neil reading a few interesting bits from his yet-to-be published novel “Anansi Boys” and answering questions from the floor. How did he read from his new book if it hasn’t been published? Someone in the audience actually had a proof copy (apparently available on ebay for 130 pounds) of it and willingly lent it to him for him to read aloud. The crowd seemed entranced by the reading, and laughed appreciatively at the witty bits. Neil used different accents for different characters which injected a performative aspect to the reading.
The Q & A session was also well received, there were some questions on Neil’s collaboration with Terry Pratchett, prospects of future films (Death the high cost of living, and Good Omens) and Peter Schoppert (the chair for the talk) asked Neil about his thoughts on “EVIL”, to which he replied that he didn’t think “evil” was romantic but rather it had a banality to it, as shown in the “serial killers’ convention” in The Doll’s House (Sandman vol. 2).
The event ended with riotous applause from the spellbound audience and staff helped Neil Gaiman to escape via the backroom exit. To Kinokuniya, where the rest of his fans were STILL (from 4pm!) waiting for his divine signature.
Update: OLKGAL has posted her thoughts on seeing Neil Gaiman speak and getting his autograph.
