Book Review
If you are ready for a rather different view of the Apocalypse, read Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett co-wrote this lovely book back in 1990, when hardly anyone had ever heard of either of them. The slightly off-kilter viewpoints of Gaiman and Pratchett, which would show up in Coraline and the Discworld stories, permeate Good Omens with a lively zest.
I will admit to laughing so much a few times that I had to blow my nose.
First off, the word 'Nice' means "scrupulously exact". Yes, this is an archaic meaning, but the title of the books comes from the 17th century, when Agnes Nutter wrote her book of prophecies. The trouble with her book is that she was totally and absolutely correct in everything. The other trouble with her book is that she had a difficult time describing things of the future as relating to what she knew to write about in such a way that anyone could understand what she was talking about until after the event.
Add to this book of prophecies a descendent who has followed the family tradition of translating and cross-indexing all of the prophecies. Toss an angel into the story and then add a devil. (The angel and the devil are actually almost best buddies. That's what happens when there are only two of the angelic forces on the planet for thousands of years at a time.)
Then add the Anti-Christ &mdash who, because of a case of baby-switching-at-birth, and in spite of the best (or worst) motives of the angel and the demon &mdash is raised as a relatively normal young boy in England.
Other characters turn up &mdashthe Four Horsemen (in this case they ride motorcycles but let's not be picky ...) and a couple of Witchfinders. Oh, and let's not forget Madame Tracy and a few sundry other characters.
Add all of this together, and you will read of an Armageddon which is, at the very least, ineffable.
Have fun!