Good Omens

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's 1990 comic novel about the Apocalypse translates perfectly to radio theater. The full cast of British voices enhances the zany nature of the story, which features witches, witch hunters, prophecies, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and an 11-year-old Antichrist. Standouts include Peter Serafinowicz and Mark Heap as odd couple Crowley (a demon) and Aziraphale (an angel), who'd like to avert the end of days because they rather enjoy the comforts of their lives on Earth. Sound effects make the production, which was adapted and directed by Dirk Maggs for BBC Radio, a fully immersive experience. Authors Gaiman and Pratchett even make a cameo appearance. It's all wonderfully silly fun. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Who would have thought that the Apocalypse would be so entertaining? For the first time on audio in the U.S., this 1990 collaboration between authors Gaiman and Pratchett follows the (mis)adventures of Aziraphale, an angel, and Crowley, a demon, as they somewhat grudgingly take up their roles--along with all the hosts of heaven and hell--in precipitating the coming of the Antichrist. The thing is, the Antichrist has been . . . shall we say . . . "misplaced." Narrator Martin Jarvis's outstanding performance captures all of Aziraphale's British officiousness and all of Crowley's vaguely disinterested sarcasm. Jarvis also shines as he bounces from Sister Mary Loquacious to Scarlett Zuibiger to Adam Young, the 11-year-old would-be Antichrist, and so many others, with impressive ease. Moreover, Jarvis's attentiveness to the authors' sense of timing and humor enables his performance to accentuate every twinge of irony in this absurd comedy. A.H.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

I laughed the whole way through this novel. It was so funny, mocking everything from religion to motorways to telesales people. A comedy about the birth of the Antichrist and the coming of the End Times, it was written by two mates for a laugh, and its sheer hilarity is what makes it so wonderful. But at the same time as providing a crazy number of giggles, Good Omens also provokes much thought about the nature of good and evil. Crowley (an angel who did not so much fall as saunter vaguely downwards) and Aziraphale (an angel and part-time rare book dealer) have been on earth since the beginning, Sunday 21 October 4004 BC. They have become rather accustomed to – and quite like – life on earth, and so they agree to sabotage the impending end of the world. The relationship between Crowley and Aziraphale is fantastic, fun and wry in equal measure. The world is due to end next Saturday before dinnertime. But Crowley has lost the Antichrist. Thus begins a madcap caper to find the Antichrist before he causes too much drama and ultimately the destruction of the planet. Adam, the 11-year-old Antichrist, is pretty fantastic. His hellhound is an adorable little lapdog, and he uses his powers to bring his favourite conspiracy theories to life. And we can’t forget the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. There are just way too many wacky references to list in this short space. I could continue quoting this book for days; there is something valuable and hysterical on almost every page. It’s perfect for anyone who loves British comedy shows and for everyone else who just wants a laugh. Read and enjoy; this is the kind of book that makes the world a better place.  Reviewed by Emily Meredith