The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman(HarperCollins, Hardcover)
Rating:
Bod is not your usual boy. For one, he lives in a graveyard. That's not all though. Bod was raised by the ghosts of the graveyard and he's learned a few, shall we say, tricks of the trade. Bod can walk through walls and he can fade into the background so that no one notices him. This trick comes in particularly handy because Bod is being hunted by the man who killed his parents.
The Graveyard Book is pure delight from start to finish. This is the first book that I've read by Gaiman and, after the first couple of pages, I knew that I was in the hands of a master storyteller. The graveyard where Bod lives came alive for me. I felt as if I was walking between the gravestones, seeing the ghosts for myself - motherly Mrs. Owens, mysterious Silas, and clever Liza. To me, the thing that was most indicative of Gaiman's mastery was the fact that this story is unabashedly scary. It's written for ages 10 and up. The world isn't always sunshine and playgrounds and Gaiman isn't afraid to give kids a darker reality. But if you're like me and can't sleep after watching a horror movie, fear not. This book if full of humor, loveable characters, and a top-notch ending for our brave, orphaned hero.
This book reminded me a lot of a favorite series of mine, Joseph Delaney's The Last Apprentice books. The Last Apprentice books are also dark and exciting, with the added bonus of having fabulous woodcut drawings at each chapter.
The Graveyard Book has been nominated for the 2008 Cybils Awards in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category.
Posts
Miss Em, were you sitting here in my kitchen last night while I said to my husband, I think I'd like to buy The Graveyard Book? Yes, I said that. Now I come to your blog and you confirm.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I picked this up after reading Coraline (which I liked), but I couldn't get into it. After your review, though, maybe I'll have to give it another chance in the future.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeballing this book for a while now, but after reading your post I will definitely be buying this one! Thanks so much for the review!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read some Gaiman, I've heard nothing but good things. I picked up Coraline but haven't gotten a chance to read it. This one sounds really interesting!
ReplyDelete-Mollie
I've yet to read a Neil Gaiman book and think that maybe I should start with this one if I do.
ReplyDeleteWow...so many people have talked about how great this book is. I really have to get my hands on a copy...
ReplyDeleteHow imaginative! Sounds like an awesome read. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, if you liked The Graveyard Book, definitely try Coraline. Or I'm partial to Stardust, but I like fairy tales. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you must read Neil! YOU MUST! If you liked Graveyard Book, try M is for Magic. Then Anansi Boys. And then Neverwhere. And Good Omens (co-authored with Terry Pratchett). Sooooo goood!!
ReplyDeleteAGH! *does the Neil Gaiman dance* I want to read this so very much. Coraline was famazing on a molecular level and I have heard a good thing or two about this elsewhere as well. Must...have...
ReplyDelete-Aella
Ooh, have you seen Prince of Stories, the Neil Gaiman companion book? It's so cool. Totally going in the article I'm writing in praise of gift books. Doesn't hurt that one of the authors is Chris Golden. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I can't wait to read this one. I'll be featuring this post on the Cybils blog this week, by the way. :)
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