Scan barcode
teabrewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Coraline is a children's book. One with body horror, blood and child death, but a children's book none the less. It didn't affect me emotionally as much as my average five stars. But, it is a wondeful version of those, written with the young readers in mind. The analogies to insects, spiders, camufkage and mimicry were a awesome touch. The dark ambiance and hints to something older than the other mother too. It is clear this book was written with care and dedication! I also found interesting how the narrative sometimes criticises the dad, that is so clearly inspired by the author himself. Like a quiet apology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Body horror
chainsawmochi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have long been a fan of Neil Gaiman's works. "Good Omens" has sat at the top of my favorite books list for years, since college at least. Likewise, the film version of "Coraline" has been a personal favorite since I first watched it. One would think that I would have read the book version of "Coraline" at some point, but for some reason, I simply had never picked it up.
Recently, I saw that it was available online through the Libby App, via my local library. On a whim, I borrowed the lone copy available and dug in. Life got in the way, as it tends to do; it took me far too long to actually manage to read the entirety of the book. It's not a very long novel, as it is classified as a children's book. Yet every moment spent not reading it was maddening. I wanted so deeply to delve back into the world of "Coraline," back into Gaiman's blunt yet whimsical prose.
Finally, while I was watching for a doctor's appointment today, I finished the book. "Coraline" is a five-star read, no doubt about it. Gaiman has a wonderful ability write in the way I remember thinking as a child. Everything is very matter-of-fact, yet there is magic there, in those words. He crafts a beautiful, disgusting, haunting world that suits Coraline's character very well. I viewed her story as a story of growing up too quickly, of yearning to still be a child, of learning to slow down and appreciate the small things. The things that make us mothers and fathers, children and family. The things that make us human, boring, normal, and unique. Coraline's world is full of juxtapositions and non-sensical parallels. She begins as a child that no one listens to--but by the end, she realizes she was not listening, either.
"Coraline" comes highly recommended if you have an afternoon or two to spend in a world very much like our own, with a few extra shadows and a few extra nightmares at the edges.
Recently, I saw that it was available online through the Libby App, via my local library. On a whim, I borrowed the lone copy available and dug in. Life got in the way, as it tends to do; it took me far too long to actually manage to read the entirety of the book. It's not a very long novel, as it is classified as a children's book. Yet every moment spent not reading it was maddening. I wanted so deeply to delve back into the world of "Coraline," back into Gaiman's blunt yet whimsical prose.
Finally, while I was watching for a doctor's appointment today, I finished the book. "Coraline" is a five-star read, no doubt about it. Gaiman has a wonderful ability write in the way I remember thinking as a child. Everything is very matter-of-fact, yet there is magic there, in those words. He crafts a beautiful, disgusting, haunting world that suits Coraline's character very well. I viewed her story as a story of growing up too quickly, of yearning to still be a child, of learning to slow down and appreciate the small things. The things that make us mothers and fathers, children and family. The things that make us human, boring, normal, and unique. Coraline's world is full of juxtapositions and non-sensical parallels. She begins as a child that no one listens to--but by the end, she realizes she was not listening, either.
"Coraline" comes highly recommended if you have an afternoon or two to spend in a world very much like our own, with a few extra shadows and a few extra nightmares at the edges.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, and Body horror
loonysaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Animal death and Abandonment
pacifickat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Neil Gaiman understands how to write magic, especially dark magic, in a way that makes it feel real and old and timeless. He also picks at the edges of our deepest, most primal fears without revealing too much at a time. Love the way he plays with old magic tropes (black cats, talismen, portals, the monster under the bed, mist) in ways that make them feel both refreshingly new and impossibly ancient at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, Toxic relationship, and Body horror
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, Animal death, and Abandonment
patchthecat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This wasn't my absolute favourite but it was enjoyable. I liked the message about being brave. Coraline was also a pretty likeable main character and the plot moved fast enough to where I was never bored reading it. It was a pretty good book but definitely not one of my favourites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
rafacolog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Kidnapping, and Body horror
epeolatrist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment and Kidnapping
matildag00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A great fucking children's book! Such a good atmosphere. Listened to it, narrated by Neil Gaiman and hearing his words in his voice and the added affects and sounds were creeping me the hell out but in such a good way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, and Confinement
Moderate: Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Blood and Animal death
annie_brewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Having read the book after watching the movie, my imagination was spoilt! However, the colourful imagery in my mind from the screen fit in nicely with the tale and I am impressed how strong and accurate the movie adaptation was. The parts of the writing not included in the movie were also able to fit in seamlessly in my reccolection of the movie world and were testament to Gaiman's storytelling writing.
The impatient and paticular temprament of Coraline is exceptionally believable, the oddball characters she encounters are an unsettling delight, and the other mother is the queen of creepy!
The impatient and paticular temprament of Coraline is exceptionally believable, the oddball characters she encounters are an unsettling delight, and the other mother is the queen of creepy!
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Body horror, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Animal death
blitz_ramna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
For starters, I do love the movie. Even though I do love the movie, for a long time I always wanted to read the book but I somehow never got around to it until now. My best friend bought me a copy for my birthday and I decided to wait to read during the Fall and Halloween.
I have now found a new favorite. Such a great children's book. The dark themes of the film are there in the book, but with a few extras (not giving any spoilers).
This book is a must read!
I also love that I now have my own copy of the book.
I have now found a new favorite. Such a great children's book. The dark themes of the film are there in the book, but with a few extras (not giving any spoilers).
This book is a must read!
I also love that I now have my own copy of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Body horror, Child death, and Gore
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting