Anansi Boys

Last night I finished reading the novel Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. The story opens when an elderly man named Mr. Nancy dies of heart failure in a Florida karaoke bar. His estranged son, Charles "Fat Charlie" Nancy, who has spent his entire life being constantly embarrassed by his father travels from London to the US for the funeral, where he learns, among other things, that he has a hitherto unknown brother. Back in London he invites his brother to come and stay. This proves to be a mistake because Charlie's father, Mr. Nancy, is in fact Anansi, the African trickster spider-god, full of charm, tricks, mischief and stories. Also it appears that Charlie's brother, Spider, has inherited his father's gifts and proceeds to take over Charlie's life, including stealing his fiancee and ruining things for him at work. As things go from bad to worse, Charlie decides his brother has got to go, which proves to be another mistake... The book is very entertaining and endlessly imaginative. It mixes family drama, supernatural horror, dark fantasy, comedy and even crime thriller. It is also frequently laugh out loud funny.

Today was another dull day at work. We all have to take an on-line test on data protection and security. I got 90% on it. On my way home I bought a fish supper.