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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Weird. Creepy. Strange. Curious. I do enjoy a good Gaiman story. One of those that I don’t know what exactly is going on. But it’s ok, I am along for the ride and enjoying it
Magical realism with elements of horror. Pretty much the first "horror" novel I've read, although fortunately for me, that wasn't the primary genre of this book. I really enjoyed the Hempstock family and their secrets and powers, and being brought along to another world with them. Really creative and immersive, you really get into the mindset of the 7 year-old main character and feel scared for him trying to navigate the tough situations he finds himself in. I would've loved some more explanations regarding the different creatures and powers we encounter, but perhaps leaving those out is part of the magic. This was my first Gaiman novel and I'm looking forward to reading some of his other works soon.
How does Neil Gaiman do it? HOW? I guess ours is not to reason why, ours is to read in one sitting. Make sure you have a few hours free for this one. The master strikes again.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
Childhood remembered not in sunlight, but in the shadows between worlds
This is one of the books that broke my book buying ban at a stand in Central Park. It’s very typical Neil Gaiman—wonderful and dark and detailed and deep. The meat of the story is told from the POV of a little boy who lives down the road from a family of three magical women, one of whom is a little girl close to his age who becomes his friend. Through that friendship, he is exposed to wonderful and dangerous things. Naturally, he gets mixed up in some trouble that requires magical assistance. I’ve read a few Gaiman books over the last handful of years, and I’d say this is probably my favorite so far. His prose tends to wander, but this book was shorter and kept him on topic. I would recommend this one to magical realism/ooky-spooky fans.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has made me feel nostalgic about my own childhood and the naivity that belongs there - where everything is possible and nothing too far away.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 rounded up!
Wonderful. Sad. Fantastical. Terrifying. Delightful! Completely Neil Gaiman in the best possible ways!
Wonderful. Sad. Fantastical. Terrifying. Delightful! Completely Neil Gaiman in the best possible ways!