Reviews with content warning for Bullying - The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

23 reviews

ashleyj_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

𝙁𝙔𝙄 I don’t buy into cancel culture. However, I did consider current events when wanting to read this book. I did decide to source this book ethically: I borrowed the digital version via library app.

Four stars only because I want to know more about the Hempstocks. I understand why we’re not told more, but that’s not the point here. I’m very curious and one star’s worth of upset about it.

This is well-written: seamless timeline changes, and action to thought/dialogue pieces. The not magic is beautifully created and experienced by character and reader.

What a wild, fascinating, and mind boggling experience for a child!! It’s no wonder he doesn’t know where home is as an adult.

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eedle_cacleberry's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

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laffi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is by far the best book I have ever read.
And even if it wasn't, there was a

black kitten called Ocean

that would still make me love this book.
I have no words to describe how much this resonated with me.

Content Warnings

keelymightread's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.75

Such an eerie yet beautiful book that reminded me of the innocence of childhood. The curiosity felt as the story progressed was artfully done. Such a unique story, magical realism is an unmatched genre. The whimsical mystery is a perfect feeling I got from the novel.

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raenyreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've had my eye on the illustrated edition of this book for ages, and I was finally given an excuse to get it when it was chosen for my local book club! I 100% recommend the illustrated edition as I really felt it helped build the atmosphere of the book, and certain scenes are so well depicted.

This book covers some dark topics, so do check the content warnings if you're wary of anything! I wasn't expecting these topics going in, but I do feel they are all well handled, and I'll be thinking about this one for a while I reckon.

The story focuses on a man who is visiting his childhood home as he begins to remember some interesting childhood events that he appears to have completely forgotten. The book is very mysterious, and not a lot is explained, especially the magic. However, I really liked it in this instance as for most of the book we are seeing the events from the mind of a seven year old and so I felt this was very effective as at seven years old I wouldn't have understood what was going on either.

This book is pretty short, but I feel the characters are so well fleshed out, and the story achieves everything it set out to do with the space given. The lead character is very relateable and has a lot of emotional impact as he goes along this journey. It's definitely a page turner, I read it in two sittings. As soon as it got going, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from Neil Gaiman! 4.5⭐️

Content Warnings