Trying to collaborate on something as complicated as a book is a tough thing to do. I know from the experience of collaborating on art projects that there are a few models to get you through this challenging exercise. They are as follows:
You can be a dictator, and make everyone slaves to your idea.
You can do your part, let someone else do their part and the compile the information into a final piece.
You can really join forces and create an unique beast which is driven not by singular interests, but by collective force. Often this is the most destructive of forces.
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman opted to write this book using the second method, that of rotating collaboration. What resulted was a disjointed book that highlighted both author's characteristic styles, without being able to get beyond those styles.
Granted, this isn't all bad. I happen to like both authors and I have no complaints about a story which contains elements of both genius. Yet, it was lacking in that I felt cheated that neither author could go beyond what they had to offer.
My critique aside, I enjoyed this story and was impressed with the maturity of its message. We do all have decisions to make with our lives no matter what the fates may say. We aren't controlled by our destinies and we can choose to live our lives how we wish to. A charming novel throughout, Good Omens takes the Apocalypse and turns it into a tale about agency and the redeeming qualities which make us human.
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