Welcome

Greetings,

As Mayor and on behalf of the City of Chicago, I invite you to participate in the Spring 2011 One Book, One Chicago program. This spring brings us our 20th book selection; and in the fall of 2011 we will celebrate 10 years of this remarkable program—a testament to the resonance of a program that brings Chicagoans together around a great book.

This spring, One Book, One Chicago travels to Neverwhere. This engaging fantasy novel is one of the earliest novels from award-winning writer Neil Gaiman, author of American Gods, The Sandman comics and Newbery Award-winning The Graveyard Book. Gaiman is a captivating storyteller and a Renaissance man of today’s literary world, working in film, comics, fiction, nonfiction, music and theater.

Neverwhere tells the story of Richard Mayhew, a London office worker content to go unnoticed, whose decision to help a young girl forces him on a quest in her world, London Below, to find a way back home. London Below is full of horrifying and hilarious characters, and on his journey Richard must learn more about this bizarre world and about himself in the process. It is simply a great story and immensely fun to read.

You can find a copy of Neverwhere at your neighborhood Chicago Public Library or local bookstore. Please take part in one of the many book discussions planned in libraries, bookstores, community centers and universities throughout April and join us for any number of events celebrating Neil Gaiman and Neverwhere this spring, including two author appearances on April 12 and 13.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Daley
Mayor

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