I generally love Neil Gaiman but got halfway through this book and lost interest. I happened to read the sequel first and liked it enough to award fouI generally love Neil Gaiman but got halfway through this book and lost interest. I happened to read the sequel first and liked it enough to award four stars...so who knows. Maybe just wasn't what I wanted at the time.
I rarely abandon a book, especially one that I didn't hate, but simply have too many other books on my TBR list to sit through another 300 pages of a book that I can appreciate (good writing, strong style, etc) but am only minimally engaged with.
Sorry, Neil. Still, think you're great, except I'm starting to wonder if maybe 600 plus pages of your style of magic realism is simply 300 pages too many.
Bottom line: lots of "good" stuff here and some "okay" stuff, simply not what I'm interested in reading right now.
I should mention, I began reading this online with a trial of scribd, but then had to switch to a library copy which took two weeks to get. During that time I simply lost interest. I tried picking it up a few times but just couldn't get back into it...so back to the library it goes where it will likely find a more deserving (or at least appreciative) reader....more
Well crafted and creepy, Coraline is a short read that both children and adults can enjoy.
For those familiar with Gaiman, you already know he has quiWell crafted and creepy, Coraline is a short read that both children and adults can enjoy.
For those familiar with Gaiman, you already know he has quite the imagination, and this book, which I can only describe as falling somewhere between Hans and Gretel and Alice in Wonderland, is no exception.
Would recommend to readers of all ages who appreciate a fresh and fantastical tale....more
This was nice. Strange and unexpected, but still nice. I particularly enjoyed the mythology of Anansi (the spider...or the rabbit depending on which sThis was nice. Strange and unexpected, but still nice. I particularly enjoyed the mythology of Anansi (the spider...or the rabbit depending on which stories you believe, but most likely a spider), which is effectively interwoven into a rather contemporary story of a man who after much turmoil and trouble finally comes to terms with who he really is, in this fun tale that is often quite funny.
The real appeal for me, though, was Gaiman's characters, 'cause I'm generally a sucker for interesting and original characters. Add to that my love of myth as a whole, and this was satisfying on many levels.
If you're a fan of Gaiman, you probably already know what to expect so expect to get him doing what he does well, and if not(a fan), well be prepared for something different, but in a good way. ...more
"You're always you, and that don't change, and you're always changing, and there's nothing you can do about it."
This book is what I had e4.5 stars
"You're always you, and that don't change, and you're always changing, and there's nothing you can do about it."
This book is what I had expected after reading a number of reviews that commented on Neil Gaiman books. Unfortunately, I started with Stardust, which just didn't do it for me.
That being said, The Graveyard Book delivered. The concept is original, the prose strong, the characters fun and memorable, and, like most good children's literature, the insight offered is the kind that even an adult audience can appreciate.
Unlike Stardust, I felt this book had a satisfying ending with adequate closure that left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
Would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a nicely-paced (for the most part), creative tale with strong characters and some memorable insights.
This was okay. On one hand, the writing is strong and the story, a creative feat. On the other hand, I just never really got into this tale of magic aThis was okay. On one hand, the writing is strong and the story, a creative feat. On the other hand, I just never really got into this tale of magic and make-believe. At times, minus the few adult themes/references to sex, I felt as though I was reading a story geared at children, and not necessarily a good one.
The characters weren't especially interesting and the story reads kind of blah. I'm having a hard time pin pointing what didn't work, just know that by the end I felt unsatisfied as if I had bitten into a plump and juicy, ripened nectarine only to find it lacked flavor. The tie up at the end also seemed rushed and contrived as though maybe the author himself got bored with this one and was glad to put it down.
Still, this book does get credit for offering something different and unexpected. Just not sure if "different and unexpected" is enough.
Would recommend this book to those who enjoy fairy tales and "outside-the-box" works that are, at a minimum, different. ...more
To me, this book represents Neil Gaiman at his best. While I haven't loved every Gaiman book, there is something about his writing that I find compellTo me, this book represents Neil Gaiman at his best. While I haven't loved every Gaiman book, there is something about his writing that I find compelling and addictive. Whether one of his books ends up classified as adult or young adult/children's literature, it always feels as if he is writing to the child within--the part of us where the nonsensical makes perfect sense and the impossible feels quite possible. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is no exception. And as usual, Gaiman's book is filled with insights and observations that resonate, for example:
She smiled at us both, brightly. She really was pretty, for a grown-up, but when you are seven, beauty is an abstraction.
Would recommend to fans of magical realism and those who have enjoyed other Gaiman works. This particular book reminded a lot of Coraline and The Graveyard Book, and is probably my favorite to date.
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