Fantasy Annotation - Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

 

Authors: Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Publication Date: May, 10 1990

Number of Pages: 491

Geographical Setting: South East England

Time Period: Modern Day - 1990

Series: N/A

Demon Crowley is ordered to help usher in Armageddon through his role in swapping the Antichrist with the son 

of a diplomat. Unfortunately for him, he’s grown to like his time on Earth. In an attempt to stave off the apocalypse, 

he recruits Aziraphale, an angel who has spent the last 6,000 years on Earth alongside Crowley, to assist him in 

influencing the child’s upbringing. What could have been a good plan is uprooted by a number of laughable errors, 

starting with the swapping the Antichrist with the wrong child and only escalating from there. 

Subject Headings: 

End of the world - fiction, Prophecies - fiction, Witches - fiction

Fantasy Appeal

Story Line:

This book has a minimum of four plot lines all happening at once, giving something for every fantasy reader to enjoy. 

There’s a coming-of-age story of the burgeoning Antichrist, a gathering of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a witch 

looking to prevent the end of the world, and Aziraphale and Crowley caught in the middle of everything. 

Tone: Humorous Fantasy

Pratchett and Gaiman together put together a work that has readers smiling from the start. Even as the stakes grow 

for the two protagonists and they are set to face down Satan himself, Pratchett’s humor in particular cuts through to 

keep the reader laughing. Some of the plot points and characters are a little over-the-top, but that doesn’t take away 

from the thoughtful writing and adventure.

Characterization:

The cast of Good Omens vary from the supernatural to the mundane, featuring a cast ranging from Beelzebub and 

the angel Metatron to a group of scrappy preteens and a couple of witch hunters. The characters are all more than 

what they seem, making the fight between good and evil a very interesting one. 

Language/Style:

This is a book that really lends itself to an audio book, of which there are a couple of really good ones to choose 

from. Gaiman and Pratchett make sure that all of the characters speak differently, with even the narrator getting its 

own distinct “voice.” It’s conversational, humorous, and action-packed all within a few pages.

3 Terms to Describe this Book:

Light-hearted, adventurous, funny

3 Fiction Recommendations

Another by Neil Gaiman, American Gods blends fantasy and mythology in a story that’ll appeal to those looking for 

another rich adventure by Gaiman without as much as the hi-jinks and humor. 

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series is a great recommendation for fans of fantasy books in general, and Good Omens 

 fans will recognize and love Pratchett’s humorous adventures in the first of the series, The Color of Magic. 

 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a must-read if you liked the humorous style of Good 

Omens, especially for fans of science fiction.

2 Nonfiction Recommendations

 

Good Omen’s titular Agnes Nutter and related witches are inspired by the Pendle witches of the early 1600s. If 

you’re looking to read more about witches and their real-life history, check out Marion Gibson’s Witchcraft: A 

History in Thirteen Trials. 

 

Good Omens name-drops a good handful of celestial beings, some more well-known than other. For those who want 

to dig a little deeper into the creatures of the Bible, check out God’s Monster’s: Deadly Angels, Hybrid Creatures, 

and Divine Hitmen of the Bible. 

 

3 (or 5) Nonbook Recommendations 

I’m recommending a lot of other works by Gaiman here, but here’s got such a wealth of work that it’s hard not to. If 

you’re looking to go outside traditional fiction, his DC Comics series The Sandman is a good one to check out for 

another wide cast of supernatural beings and Gaiman’s trademark fantasy adventures. There’s also a television 

adaptation of The Sandman available on Netflix that is equally entertaining and worth checking out (confession - 

I’m a die-hard David Thewlis fan and recommend anything he’s in to everybody)

 

Another television show and DC Comic mashup, Preacher is a worthwhile watch and read for Good Omens fans. 

The story features familiar antihero-type characters with supernatural powers and over-the-top action.

 

If you’re the type of person who likes adaptations, I recommend giving the Good Omens show a try on Amazon.

 It’s an adaptation that’s gotten good reviews from fans of the book and newcomers alike.