Some say I sound like my younger self!

If you could sum up Neil Gaiman's How the Marquis Got His Coat Back in three words, what would they be?

Marquis de Carabas... wait, that's probably not very descriptive! How the Marquis Got His Coat Back is another radio dramatization set in the Neverwhere universe. It adapts the short story of the same name and continues our adventures in London Below as our favorite sarcastic rogue goes after his most prized possession - his truly remarkable coat which he lost during the events of Neverwhere. Given the Marquis is arguably the best character in Neverwhere (fight me), it's enjoyable to follow him. BBC Radio's Neverwhere and Good Omens adaptations are a blast and this one has all the charm of its predecessors.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Isn't it obvious?

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

PATERSON JOSEPH FROM THE TV MINI-SERIES REPRISES HIS ROLE AS THE MARQUIS. Honestly, do I have to say anything else?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

You should've heard the sound I made when the Marquis says, "Some say I sound like my younger self!"

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed BBC Radio's dramatization of Neverwhere a couple years ago. It had a stellar cast and was an engaging adaptation. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed David Harewood but Paterson Joseph has always been the Marquis to me and it was so great to hear his voice!

11 people found this helpful

Loved It

Seriously a great little continuation of Neverwhere. Personally I'd read several full length novels about the Marquis.

2 people found this helpful

if only there was more

Once again Neil Gaiman has brought alive the mysterious London Below allowing us the capacity to wonder at the magic that could exist. I can only hope that more stories will follow.

1 person found this helpful

The Coat Really Does Make the Marquis

Before we get The Seven Sisters, the novel-length sequel to Neverwhere, Paterson Joseph and Company take us back on this whip-snap return to London Below. Yes, it's a very brief tour, clocking in at just about an hour. However, for a tasty little side-adventure featuring everyone's favorite Marquis, it''s as good as sipping Atlantean wine.

The Marquis de Carabas is feeling a little bit at a loss after the events of Neverwhere because he doesn't have his wonderful coat, so he sets upon a quest to get it back. Upon his way he meets the mushroom people, the Elephant, some terrifying shepherds, and a long lost relative. Well, maybe not so lost. That last I found a bit odd, but it mostly worked out to be fun in the end.

Paterson Joseph, who played the Marquis in the original TV miniseries, returns as the titular character. I was somewhat skeptical about this, because David Harewood's portrayal of de Carabas in the Neverwhere radioplay (with James McAvoy, Christopher Lee, Benedict Cumberbatch, etc.) was so excellent. But I needn't have worried. Joseph is having so much fun, it's impossible for us not to. He even gets to make some cracks about the Marquis looking like his younger self.

Truth be told, I listened to this story in the Rogues anthology (narrated by Roy Dotrice), and I thought there were some wonderful little tweaks in this version that really let it shine. For example, Richard Mayhew has a brief appearance which helps frame the story, and Old Bailey does a good job of setting up the stakes. Also, the Marquis sounds like himself, and doesn't have a French accent. (C'mon, Roy!)

Mainly, I was just thrilled to be able to take another trip to London Below, even if it was an incredibly brief one. It was a fun little excursion, and it definitely has me excited and eager for another trip to meet back up with de Carabas, Richard, Door, and the rest of our friends with the Seven Sisters.

3 people found this helpful

Always impresses

Neil Gaiman’s story telling never ceases to impress. I only wish for more of this story! The voice actors are excellently chosen for their respective parts and other appropriate sounds in the background being the words to life in your mind. I loved it! It’s one I’ll listen to again and again.

delightful!

the Marquis is an utter delight! His character is absolutely wonderful, witty, and never dull! I enjoyed meeting his brother Peregrine this time around! I love London Below! the story moves quickly, keeps you engaged and well worth the hour of your time!

I love the full cast productions

This is so good I can listen to it none stop. Incredibly entertaining.
I wish there was more full cast production books by Neil Gaiman

More...

...a great many more. I loved this little story, and hope for more. Stories about Carabas of which there must be so very many. Richard on great search for Door

Neil brings us more from London below. :-)

Please Neal and the BBC bring us more tales like this from London below.
Loved it.

Neverwhere-riffic!

Let me start with explaining that I left this sitting in my library for so long that I forgot it was Neverwhere-related and it took me a good 10 minutes of the story to realize how much of the setting and background I already had stored in my brain. It was kind of a jolt when I went from "Why is this in my library? Well, it's short. I'll just listen and find out." to "OH!"

I heartily recommend reading / listening to Neverwhere immediately prior to listening to this radio play. It's excellent, but you'll probably want the events and characters of the novel fresh in your mind when you experience this fun tangent.

As a stand-alone story, I feel like this 1-hour-long adventure of the Marquis de Carabas has the Gaiman charm. It definitely would leave the listener perplexed if they haven't previously invested time in Neverwhere. As an in-universe bonus episode, it's great.

The cast does exactly what you would expect them to do: bring the story and characters to life. They're wonderful.

I would be hard-pressed to suggest spending a credit on a title that only lasts an hour. I picked it up when it was on a rare sale. If you have credits to burn, definitely consider this title.

I categorize this story as Experience-Neverwhere-first-and-hopefully-recently-then-enjoy-it-like-a-dessert.