# Good Omens

By Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/good-omens-b6a5fead/

The end of the world would be inconvenient for Aziraphale and Crowley. The angel and demon have grown fond of life on Earth, and they would like Armageddon called off. Unfortunately, the Antichrist they need to find has been misplaced.

## What makes it funny?

In the Garden of Eden, Aziraphale worries about having given away his flaming sword. His demonic acquaintance has doubts of his own about whether temptation did any harm. Their conversation makes the Fall sound like an awkward day at work.

### The comedy at work

Heaven and Hell assign absolute moral roles to characters who keep having practical, human doubts. Polite arguments and anxious explanations puncture the authority of the cosmic plan.

### Try this if…

If comic footnotes, allusions and a crowded farce appeal to you, this offers an apocalypse with plenty of room for digressions. The irreverence extends well beyond its central angel and demon.

### Good to know

Religious judgment and the threatened destruction of humanity are central comic subjects.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy
- On the shelf: Mythic fantasy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Dry wit · Farce
- The atmosphere: Irreverent
- Format: Novel
- Length: 512 pages (ebook)
- Published: 1990

## A few distinguishing details

- An angel and demon would rather keep Earth
- A misplaced Antichrist complicates Armageddon

## Sources & further reading

- Book information: [Apple Books lists Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett at 512 pages, published by William Morrow.](https://books.apple.com/us/book/good-omens/id442730679)
- Author commentary: [Author estate book page](https://terrypratchett.com/books/good-omens)
- Author commentary: [Author publication announcement](https://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/Good%2BOmens/in/178)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/neil-gaiman/good-omens/9781473200852)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/neil-gaiman/good-omens)
- Reading sample: [Opening extract](https://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/read-an-extract-from-good-omens)