Reviews

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

mayfield89's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I liked the book, but I didn't really understand the meaning behind this book, especially the ending, the author left us with more questions than answers.

galidar's review

Go to review page

5.0

Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. He crafts incredible worlds with minimal description, leaving it to you to fill in all the blanks. He tells amazing stories, and every book leaves me with a desire for more.

I've spent all night and most of today trying to find a way to describe how much I love The Ocean at the End of the Lane, or even what I love about it. I feel like anything I try to write will not do it justice, and instead just insist you read it.

You will not be disappointed.

gabriellegraceg's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I think I expected something more profound but it was still a fun read! It explores childhood in an imaginative way and you do have to make peace with not knowing everything to live in our world. It was just the right length.

rosatulipan's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

that end tho

helenstoreygird's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

mrtlives's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

drridareads's review

Go to review page

5.0

I don't think I can do justice to this book but here's me trying and failing.

The Ocean At The End of the Lane is a story about a boy who befriends the Hempstocks and everything changes.

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about. And If I were to recommend it to any
one I'd recommend diving into this world knowing absolutely and if possible letting Neil Gaiman's voice guide you through because it's magical.

Everything about this book is brilliant and beautiful including the writing. It reads like a dark fairy tale enthralling, magical and at times creepy and at all times very very addictive. I regret never having read Neil Gaiman before.

The characters too are incredible. I just realised the main is not really named, I thought I'd forgotten his name but actually there's no name. And I don't know if that means anything but it just adds to the mystery aura of this book which is cool.

The Boy: He was just so brave but very scared at the same time. I really feel Gaiman has caught the childhood feeling right with him.

Books were safer than other people anyway.

Adults follow paths. Children explore. Adults are content to walk the same way, hundreds of times, or thousands; perhaps it never occurs to adults to step off the paths, to creep beneath rhododendrons, to find the spaces between fences.

The Parents: I do not like his father..

Sister: this right here is how siblings behave!

Letti: The 11 year old friendly girl who lives at the end of the lane. She might've infinitely been 11 and fighting of monsters. But right now she's our special saviour friend.

Old Mrs. Hempstock: Basically the essence of grandmotherliness

Ginnie Hempstock: the mother with wisdom.

This book has captured that childhood feeling that none other I've read before has (then again I've never read a book by Gaiman again). We see the monsters lurking at the edge of reality. We see these monsters being created by people's selfish wants. And it's hauntingly beautiful.

This book is the forbidden secret adventure we wanted to go on as children.. Into ponds that were actually oceans that adults don't know about. With the help of forever living friends we'd defeat menacing villains.

I miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled. I could not control the world I was in, could not walk away from things or people or moments that hurt, but I found joy in the things that made me happy.





-------------------------------------------------------
WHY THE FUCK HAD I NEVER READ A NEIL GAIMAN BOOK BEFORE?

gillibean's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

raiffbr's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jimjams's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0