Afterwards, the old woman and Fat Charlie start talking about family. She reveals that Fat Charlie has a brother – Spider – that he apparently has forgotten. The way Gaiman works in his twists and turns is awesome. He’ll just hit you between the eyes with them, let you know they’re there, then turn whatever you were thinking on its head and surprise you again.

When Fat Charlie gets curious and calls out to his brother, Spider shows up. And that’s when things get really weird. Magic seeps into the book, and its stealthily trailed by menace. Both of those additions continue to grow until the fate of the world literally hangs in the balance.

Gaiman is an absolute master of showing interpersonal relationships that we all have. He knows the good parts and the bad, and he dishes on both. His dialogue shines, and his humor ranges from deadpan to over-the-top that left me howling out loud. Best of all, this is a book that you can share with your kids on long drives. The story is simple and the characters are unique. There’s no objectionable material, and the problems of family can be understood by kids as well as adults.

One of the best parts of the book is the integration of the Anansi legends among the story. I enjoyed listening to those tales, so much like many other folk legends I’ve heard.

Anansi Boys is a great book about family with a hint of fantasy, or maybe it’s a fantasy novel with a great message about families. Either way, it’s a delightful tale that will keep you and possibly your family entertained for hours whether on the page or in the CD player. Best of all, it’s a story that I’m planning to read or listen to again because it’s going to be a perennial favorite of mine.