On p 158 (paperback) shadow says to the raven "say nevermore," to which the raven replies "fuck you." Now, I understand that nevermore is another book by Neil, but I do not understand this at all. Can someone please explain it to me?

It's a reference to Edgar Allen Poe's poem The Raven:

"Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'" (Repeated numerous times.)

Oh, and the other Gaiman book is Neverwhere, not Nevermore. I highly recommend it, either in book form or the recently released audiobook.

ahhh i see. that makes total sense now, thanks.

and oops on getting the name wrong, shoulda known that (was reading about it last night)

i'll be sure to check it out. thanks.

The Raven

lolwut?

If you click the link Smaug provided you'll be able to read Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven.

I'm merely assuming that "lolwut" translates to, "I don't understand what you meant and humbly seek further enlightenment".

On a tangent - I really thought it was obvious that Neil referred to the poem. It's been alluded to in so many books and tv shows (especially Halloween specials) that I just assumed everyone knew about it.

hahaha you were right on the dot with that translation. I understand the allusion to the poem, I was saying that to Smaug's talk of accomptants and kings...had me severely confused.

I don't read much Poe, which is probably why I missed the reference.

Thanks for all the replies.

ahhh...

the accomptant is my sig, thats why it's under the ~ it is my job description, one of a bunch that were written for some of us here by one our of our talented regulars (Royko to be exact).

why don't you pop over to the worlds end where the social talk and action is, say hello, meet a few people, you may one day find yourself with a member title or even, if you stick around long enough with a job description!

yeahh, i should have realized that was your sig. my bad, -1 for me =(

don't worry about it, it is a bit longer than the sig i use to have. i've sometimes though of removing it back down to the last two lines, but it means too much to me!

quote:

Originally posted by Spiral Out 283:
I don't read much Poe, which is probably why I missed the reference.

Shadow didn't strike me as an avid reader himself.

Nevermore

quote:

Originally posted by Spiny Norman:

quote:

Originally posted by Spiral Out 283:
I don't read much Poe, which is probably why I missed the reference.

Shadow didn't strike me as an avid reader himself.

He did read a lot when he was in prison, if I remember correctly. Plus, like someone else mentioned, Poe and The Raven are kind-of pop culture at this point and even your most unread of people could probably get pretty close to the answer if you mention "nevermore" to them.

I thought this a was beautifully done. I get sick of seeing all those Halloween specials. Besides if I walked up to a raven and said "nevermore" I would expect nothing less.

quote:

Originally posted by EmmyShimmy:
Besides if I walked up to a raven and said "nevermore" I would expect nothing less.

Exactly. I loved that moment, laughed at that moment and felt for the raven - it reminded me of people asking me how can I live without TV. (Or any other thing you hear over and over, so you're already fed up with it...)

quote:

Originally posted by marmota-b:

quote:

Originally posted by EmmyShimmy:
Besides if I walked up to a raven and said "nevermore" I would expect nothing less.

Exactly. I loved that moment, laughed at that moment and felt for the raven - it reminded me of people asking me how can I live without TV. (Or any other thing you hear over and over, so you're already fed up with it...)

A CLASSIC reply indeed- ESPECIALLY after Huginn (or Muninn, whichever it was) had gone out of his (her?) way to assist Shadow back to the road-- and Shadow goes and makes a silly request like that for no reason.