Good omens: sales of Gaiman's books in Russia plummet amid scandal

Sales of British writer Neil Gaiman's books in Russia declined after the author's accusations of sexual abuse. The drop compared to last January amounted to 10%, Izvestia was informed in the largest federal chain of stores "Chitay-gorod". The best-selling book of Gaiman in our country - "Coraline", according to the results of 2024, it took 25th place in the overall top-100 and third place in the children's rating. "Izvestia" looked into the situation.

Gaiman is not published in Russia, but still enjoys popularity

Neil Gaiman is a British science fiction writer, screenwriter and author of graphic novels, who is also called the master of modern fantasy. "Coraline", "American Gods", "Stardust", "Sandman", "Good Omens" (co-authored with Terry Pratchett) - these are not only the most famous novels of Gaiman, but already no less successful screen adaptations. The writer has a huge fan base all over the world, including Russia.

In the spring of 2022, Gaiman, following Stephen King, announced that he would not renew contracts for publishing his books in Russia because of the situation in Ukraine. Currently, Gaiman does not cooperate with Russian publishing houses - AST and "Azbuka", part of the group "Exmo-AST". However, his works can be found in stores, as they are sold under contracts that are still in effect. However, Gaiman's last major work was released in 2017, and there is no information about upcoming new releases.

In the press service of the largest federal chain of stores "Chitay-gorod" "Izvestia" confirmed to "Izvestia" that Gaiman continues to enjoy interest among Russian readers. The most popular book in "Chitay-gorod" - a children's story "Coraline", written in 2002 and published in Russian in 2005.

- This work in the last three years is among the top sales on the network in the segment of children's literature. At the end of 2024 the book took 25th place in the overall top-100 and third place in the children's rating, - reported in "Chitai-Gorod".

At the same time, at the end of January 2025, "Chitai-Gorod" recorded a decline in sales of Gaiman's books by 10% compared to the same period in 2024. This happened against the background of a loud scandal. Back in the summer of 2024, Gaiman was accused of harassment and violence by several women at once. In the Tortoise podcast "The Master: Allegations Against Neil Gaiman," they claimed that he forced them into "traumatic and humiliating sex" without consent. The key point is that Gaiman's representatives allegedly forced the victims to sign non-disclosure documents. The writer himself denied the abuse allegations at the time. According to his representatives, everything was "extremely respectful and consensual."

Proceedings will continue in court

A new round of development of the scandalous story occurred in January 2025, when New York Magazine published an article by journalist Lila Shapiro, which reconstructed a detailed picture of alleged sexual crimes Gaiman, based on interviews with eight women. At the center of the story is Scarlett Pavlovic, who looked after the child of Gaiman and his wife Amanda Palmer - a writer and singer known for her feminist views. In early February, according to Variety, she filed a lawsuit in federal court in Wisconsin. It followed immediately after the American comic book publisher Dark Horse Comics announced that it would no longer cooperate with Gaiman, and closed the adaptation of "Children of Anansi".

The lawsuit details Gaiman's abusive behavior, which began in 2020 when Amanda Palmer asked Pavlovic to babysit at their home in New Zealand. The Gaiman-Palmer couple themselves lived in separate homes at the time. When the 22-year-old arrived, Gayman insisted that she take a bath. Shortly thereafter, the lawsuit says, Gayman joined her without her consent.

When the girl informed Palmer that she had been assaulted by her husband, she was not surprised. The lawsuit says more than a dozen women, including several former employees of their home, notified Palmer about experiencing sexual abuse at the hands of Gayman. Pavlovic says she went to the police, but law enforcement rejected her report because Palmer refused to cooperate with them. The lawsuit also states that Amanda knew about her husband's sexual harassment since at least 2015. They separated in 2020, divorce proceedings and child custody proceedings began. Scarlett Pavlovic herself ended up in a psychiatric center after the experience.

With what consequences Gaiman has already faced

Despite the fact that the writer still denies all allegations, his problems have begun. In addition to Dark Horse Comics, four British theaters have canceled screenings of a new musical based on his book Coraline. Gaiman has also stepped down as showrunner of the TV series "Good Omens"; instead of a third season, the story of the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley will end on a single 90-minute episode. In early February, it also became known that Netflix will close the series "Sandman" after the second season.

In Russia, Gaiman's books can be seen on the shelves of many stores. In the publishing house AST "Izvestia" said that they are against any form of violence, but also consider it important to respect the principles of justice and presumption of innocence.

- To date, none of the charges against Neil Gaiman has not been confirmed in court. The publishing house continues to fulfill its obligations under the existing contracts and to publish the author's books to which it has the corresponding rights. As for the moral assessment of the situation, the decision whether to continue further acquaintance with the author's work, we leave it to the reader, - commented in the press service of AST.

In the book service "Litres" told "Izvestia" that the surge of interest in Gaiman's books in January did not notice. In the segment of digital books the most popular remains "Good Omens" - audiobook in the voice of Alexander Klyukvin.

Russian fans of the author's work divided into two camps. In the largest community of Gaiman in the social network "VKontakte" some fans are shocked by what is happening, but asked to clearly separate the creativity and personality of the author, so they oppose the abolition of productions and series on the works of Gaiman. Part of the fans are sure that what is happening is a massive smear campaign against the writer. In any case, the reputation of Neil Gaiman is at least trampled, if not destroyed, and in the coming years we are unlikely to hear the name of the writer outside of scandalous headlines in the press and proceedings.