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rachelditty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
A friend of mine told me this was one of her favorite books, so I picked it up for my daily commute to and from work. Neil Gaiman's narration was smooth and enticing; I'd love to listen to more of his books narrated by him, he's got a great voice for it.
I really loved Lettie's relationship with our narrator, and it wasn't until I finished the book and there was an excerpt from a podcast interview with Gaiman that it registered that we never learn the narrator's name! That pulled the rug out from under me so thoroughly, I never would have noticed if someone else hadn't said it. I loved the Hempstocks and their mysterious abilities. The terms and procedures they do are so creative and unique. It was so fun to watch them work.
The ending was really something, too. Having our narrator go back to the ocean and remember, thanking Lettie for what she did, only to bring the dishes back to the house and ask Old Mrs. Hempstock to say hi to Lettie when she comes back from Australia. It's an ending I expected to be sad about because he doesn't remember, but it felt so content, and I was glad he didn't remember, living on for Lettie and her sacrifice for him.
Some quotes I liked:
"You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try to be worth it." (5:20:55)
"'You don't pass or fail at being a person, dear.'" (5:36:13)
I'll definitely have to pick up more of Gaiman's work in the future. This is the second book of his I've read, and I've really enjoyed both! What a great writer.
I really loved Lettie's relationship with our narrator, and it wasn't until I finished the book and there was an excerpt from a podcast interview with Gaiman that it registered that we never learn the narrator's name! That pulled the rug out from under me so thoroughly, I never would have noticed if someone else hadn't said it. I loved the Hempstocks and their mysterious abilities. The terms and procedures they do are so creative and unique. It was so fun to watch them work.
The ending was really something, too.
Some quotes I liked:
"You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try to be worth it." (5:20:55)
"'You don't pass or fail at being a person, dear.'" (5:36:13)
I'll definitely have to pick up more of Gaiman's work in the future. This is the second book of his I've read, and I've really enjoyed both! What a great writer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
madradstarchild's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, and Suicide
weirdodari's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This book captures the essence of childhood wonder and fear, unlike anything I’ve read before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
cecireads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
coffeedog14's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A nice story short enough for me to read while waiting for a flight, and during said flight, minus a few pages. Neil Gaiman going back to his roots of inscrutable cosmic forces seen through the eyes of small but noble humans. It didn't wow me like alot of his other stuff did, but I enjoyed the vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Suicide attempt
spoopywife's review against another edition
4.0
The entire book felt like a strange dream where you kind of knew what was happening but also didn't at the same time. Reality meant nothing, just like a child's dream world. Definitely hadn't prepared myself for the body horror, which was my bad. Other than that, I enjoyed the ride I was on, whether or not I knew what was happening all the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
irinalast's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Feelings of wonder and dread; uneasy but charming read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
paigem4rrie's review
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Suicide
cowboylikeb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
3.5
This is my 3rd trek through fiction with Neil Gaiman, and while I did enjoy the story, it doesn't top either Stardust or Coraline. Perhaps my own sentimental attachments are to blame but that's usually the case with me.
I will say that I was intrigued enough to be left wanting more. I however don't often enjoy being left wanting. On the same token, I'm not even sure what more I'd want from it. I just don't feel quite satisfied though, even after listening to the bonus material interview - although I did enjoy that addition very much.
I am a big fan of Children protagonists and their viewpoints, especially as a mother of a 7 year old. I tried to put him into the place of the boy with no name and imagine how he would navigate the events of the book. There's just something magical and free about a child's perspective that I'll always value.
I will say that I was intrigued enough to be left wanting more. I however don't often enjoy being left wanting. On the same token, I'm not even sure what more I'd want from it. I just don't feel quite satisfied though, even after listening to the bonus material interview - although I did enjoy that addition very much.
I am a big fan of Children protagonists and their viewpoints, especially as a mother of a 7 year old. I tried to put him into the place of the boy with no name and imagine how he would navigate the events of the book. There's just something magical and free about a child's perspective that I'll always value.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Suicide
mombythebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Death and Suicide