The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.65 You Save: $10.34 (57%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.91 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Graveyard Book
Book Review: Quiet but compelling
Summary: 4 Stars
Neil Gaiman has a talent for taking quirky, 15 degrees off the norm stories and making them compelling. I picked this up for my oldest son, along with Coraline because of this talent. Gaiman's writing for the younger set puts me very much in mind or Roald Dahl and JK Rowling in that his children are competent, they face dangerous situations and come through them, if not unscathed, then at least they come out the other end wiser and often better for the experience. His worlds are often moody, somewhat dim (I wouldn't posit that they are "dark" but rather the first step or two in that direction) and I know a number of parents who feel they are too "strange" to be exposing the younger set to, but have never found them to be too dark or threatening for the kids I read to. Rather the contrast of reasonable people in a strange and unreasonable setting seems to be something that children can relate to (I suppose because we adults often seem unreasonable ;)Book Review: Raised in a Graveyard...
Summary: 5 Stars
Not since Harry Potter, and I don't raise the name of that icon often, have I read a children's book that so thoroughly engrossed me. It's such a cliche' to say that I hated to turn the last page, but I was in tears by the end of the book, partly because it was such a satisfying, completely genuine ending to a creative story, but also because I knew I wouldn't be reading another book as wonderfully, inventively written for a long time. They just don't come along that often. Admittedly inspired by The Jungle Book, where Mowgli is an orphaned baby raised in the jungle by the animals, Neil Gaiman has brillianty invented a story where an orphaned baby toddles his way into a graveyard after his family is murdered and is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants. (This is handled very well, with very few details.) They name him Nobody Owens, Bod for short. When I purchased the book, I had no idea that it would go on to win the 2009 Newbury Award for children's literature, awarded to one children's chapter book per year by the American Library Association. I have not always agreed with their choices, but kudos to the ALA. They got this one perfectly, splendidly correct. It would be a wonderful book for a family to read together. If they can handle Harry Potter...they will welcome getting to know Bod. I miss him already.Book Review: Rated PG
Summary: 5 Stars
I recommend! It *does* lean towards the dark side, for those whom that may trouble. But it's a great story and well told.Book Review: Read it for the rating...not so impressed.
Summary: 2 Stars
I read this book because it was an award winner, because it had 4.5 starts on amazon and because it was on a best-seller list (don't recall which list). I was anticipating really good read, I was not rewarded.
In reading a few other reviews it seems that if I had read some of Gaiman's other works, this one might have made more of an impact...didn't see written on the book or the cover...
Also, I found, as others did, that it started out with an interesting plot, but really went no-where fast. The end picks up a bit - but I just didn't find it great. I expect more of an award winner.
I also feel a need to write a review, to offset some of those really strong reviews that have been written, for others who might be in my boat.
MR
Book Review: Read. Share. Repeat.
Summary: 5 Stars
I know Neil Gaiman doesn't usually write sequels. "Anansi Boys" is probably the closest he's come. But honestly? I don't think I have ever wanted to read more of a story than after I finished this one.
"The Graveyard Book" is an adventurous tale of Nobody Owens, a boy whose parents and sister are killed by a cold-blooded villain known as Jack. He toddles into a graveyard where the local ghosts and a vampire named Silas decide to adopt him and raise him on their own. (On the level, I'm kind of in love with Silas. Just a little bit.)
Adventures and mischief ensue and every bit of it is wonderful. Each chapter could be written as a self contained story, but it pulls you along to the conclusion with a building tension. The reader gets to see Bod evolve and go with him on all the craziness that comes with being raised by ghosts. It is a fun and intelligent story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Personally, I do hope that Neil gets it in his mind to write a sequel. (Even if it takes another decade or so.) Because while the ending is fitting, it is bittersweet and definitely left me with a "No-tell-me-what-happens-next" feeling.
Read this book. Then give it to your friends to read. Then read it again.