Reviews - The Ocean at the End of the Lane

19.5k reviews for:

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Gaiman’s books either wow me or they don’t i.e. there is no middle ground. But I never not like them. Does that make sense? For instance, I wasn’t a fan of American Gods but I loved Coraline and this one. TOATEOTL had this surreal feel to it that never let up. Despite being a short story, I felt like I connected with the characters in it too.

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zerriundead's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious reflective 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

socerangel86's review against another edition

2.0

It was an ok book. Told in the point of view of a little boy. It was a science fiction novel that didn't pull me completely into its world. I didn't feel as strongly for the characters as I should. I thought the book would go back and forth between the two old and young man, but the child told the whole story.

inthefastlane's review against another edition

4.0

Loved the language, the setting, the story that caught my interest and held it all the way through. So much that I read this in less than 3 hours. I needed it to be longer.

rossco108's review against another edition

5.0

Simply beautiful.

megantron2000's review against another edition

4.0

I like Gaiman's children protagonists much more than when he writes adult characters. They are much more dynamic, interesting, and real. He does a great job of world-building in this novel, like he did in Coraline, giving the reader enough information to grasp on to a steady reality, but still providing lots of fantasy for the imagination (whereas in American Gods, his world had awkward holes or disconnections). This novel was a delight to listen to--the audiobook was read by the author beautifully, perfectly.

kristin_bee's review against another edition

5.0

I need to go back and read this book again. I like that a lot is left to the reader to interpret, so reading it once just wasn't enough. Neil Gaiman has an incredible imagination and I can't wait to read what else he has up his sleeve!