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

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is my first Neil Gaiman (adult) novel other than Good Omens (co-written with the brilliant Terry Pratchett) and I really enjoyed it. I didn't say love because I wouldn't exactly call this a new favourite, but it was an excellent story.

The characters are excellent, the narrator (whom I don't believe is named?) is interesting and tells the story in such a straight-forward way but he manages to notice so much about the world. The book was funny at times, deeply creepy and unsettling but also hopeful. It reminded me very much of Coraline, just a kind of grown up version. Saying this, I definitely don't think the content couldn't be read by teens, I just feel like adults will be able to get more from it, as a story about a man looking back on his childhood self. It's nostalgic.

I don't really have anything else to say about this book, other than that I enjoyed it, would recommend it, and can't wait to read more Gaiman books.

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jesseybean's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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elyssajoh's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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bea_becker's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book really cut to what it is to be a child. I think it's a fantastic depiction of memory, reflection, and how stories impact us. It's so poignant and incisive and got to my heart with practiced ease. Definitely sad, and upsetting, and emotional. Read it at the right time.

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linw21's review

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book was incredible and the writing was absolutely marvellous. It definitely has the same vibes as his short stories, which makes sense, cause it started out as one.
You should definitely check the trigger warnings before reading this book, because it is INTENSE.

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bokchoybaby's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

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rae_diant's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-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

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tarynlannister's review

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mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

It's a beautiful world, and beautiful people in this book. I wanted to be there longer. I think a bit of me wishes this was a different story in that world, a happier one. It's a short and pensive book, and it's mostly about things that are much too big and old and complicated for the snapshot of a human life. It's frustrating to only have a keyhole glimpse into the possibilities the story suggests. But it was still a lovely little peek.

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