The Graveyard Book
So I have to give myself a large pat on the back for my latest choices of reading material. I seem to have hit one of those grooves where every book is just more delightful and/or amazing than the last. This makes up for those periods when every book seems more frustrating than the last.
And on to The Graveyard Book (which I keep twittering madly about, but did I mention we have it for sale for just $19.95? $19.95!), which tells the story of Nobody “Bod” Owens. When Bod is a baby his whole family is murdered but he escapes to a graveyard (which is more than reminiciscent of what I’ve read of Highgate Cemetery – which by the way if you have any kind of interest in London cemeteries I would highly recommend a book called Necropolis by Catharine Arnold). And so we follow Bod as he grows up, living in the cemetery which his adopted parents Mr and Mrs Owens, and his guardian Silas. He has a series of adventures both good and bad – The Graveyard Book owes more than a passing nod to The Jungle Book. In many cases these adventures are almost standalone – this is a children’s book and would lend itself very well to being read aloud, particularly as there are plenty of natural stopping and starting points (Bed time, kiddies!).
This does have the effect however of making the first half of the book seem slightly disjointed but the threads come together mostly very nicely towards the end (though I felt there was a missing chunk of the story relating to Silas and Miss Lupescu – if a lost chapter ever turns up I’ll be thrilled).
If you’ve read Coraline you’ll know that Gaiman writes unique children’s books – macabre, unflinching and quite terrifying on occasion whilst still retaining a sense of whimsy and sentimentality. The Graveyard Book continues very much in that same vein and, like Coraline, has a deep layering of meaning that allows it be enjoyed just as much by adults as by the kiddies. It is unfailingly readable, in fact it’s rather wonderfully written – you will easily read this in one sitting, if you have the time (it took me two, but I’m terribly busy you know). The characters are both spooky and funny (the story of the poet Nehemiah Trot and his terrible revenge is particularly guffaw-worthy) and Gaiman doesn’t do his audience the disservice of spelling out everything in REALLY BIG LETTERS. There is much here to ponder and wonder at.
Where the book really wins is in its final moments. Gaiman deftly turns this from a fantastical and thrilling tale of frights to a moving allegory of growing up, and it brought a tear to my eye. Like all children, Bod’s world changes substantially over the years and, like all children, so does he. This tale deserves every one of the plaudits and compliments that have come its way. A wonderful read, for all ages.
I shouldn’t end this without mentioning the creepy and totally appropriate illustrations by Chris Riddell – it would not be the same book without them.
Bod said, “I want to see life. I want to hold it in my hands. I want to leave a footprint on the sand of a desert island.”
If you’d like to buy your own brand new copy of The Graveyard Book for your or your kiddies’ pleasure then buy from us for just $19.95!
9 Responses to “What’s BookieMonster reading? The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman”
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Well, thank you for that review, Ngaire. I bought this book just before christmas with the intention of giving it to my 10 year old eager reader, but decided it would probably be too scary for him – ‘Coraline’ scared him out his his wits. So I gave it to his 13 year old cousin instead, who loved it. We’ll wait a year or two then try again as it does sound most rewarding.
The 10 year old and I have just finished reading ‘The Hobbit’ which was just his cup of tea. He is keen to embark on LOTR next ..
I didn’t find this quite as scary or creepy as Coraline, but I think you’d probably be wise to probably wait a little bit – I think it would be awesome reading out loud though, and could be less scary that way?
I have to confess to not being a LOTR fan at all, though I did read The Hobbit in my younger years. They are great books for the boys though aren’t they? A LOTR read for a 10 year old sounds like a great challenge!
Great review, and I totally agree with your comment about there being much to ponder and wonder at.
I loved, loved, loved this book – managed to get through it in one sitting and was quite upset to reach the end.
I suspect this is a book I will re-read more than once.
Thanks Kim
I think I’ll probably re-read too – after I’ve re-read Neverwhere (who knows when that will be however…)
I *gulped* “The Graveyard Book” down (the plotline is fairly compulsive) and then went back and reread in a leisurely fashion, all in the one go. (It helps that I am a very fast reader, especially since a cataract op.) My nextdoor neighbour, who is emphatically NOT a fantasy reader, not only read my copy thoroughly – she’s buying a copy to read to her younger grandkids.
I’ve read “Coraline” (and quite young kids – an 8yrold grand nephew -can enjoy having it read to them) but o splendid adult readers, do not deny yourself the huge & convoluted pleasures of “American Gods” and “Anansi Boys”! (It may help if you are interested in myth & religion & legend…)
I know where she can get a cheap new copy. *cough*
Sorry, I’m a terrible self-promoter.
I really must re-read American Gods at some point – I don’t have a copy anymore, but must find one (one thing you know means Gaiman is a truly great author, like Pratchett you hardly ever see his books at secondhand fairs – people just don’t let them go). I’ve also really enjoyed Neverwhere and Stardust – and of course Good Omens (with Pratchett). Hilarious.
Heh! She hasnt got one, come the weekend, I’ll point her in your direction-
Ahh! One of me favourites, Pratchett & Gaiman “The Nice & Good Omens of Alice Nutter, Witch.” Some 2 people (I have suspicions but cannot prove them) stole my first 2 copies: now, all my fantasy/scifi (some 3000 books) is upstairs where only family can go…
Ooooh that’s terrible! (says the woman who started her Pratchett reading by “borrowing” 2 books from a boyfriend and not giving them back – the shame!)