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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
The Graveyard Book may sound like a strange name but when you find out that Gaiman was taking Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book as inspiration, it all makes perfect sense. This book may be similar to The Jungle Book in some ways, but it stands as it’s own unique story very well, maybe even outshining The Jungle Book, even by just a bit.
The characters are fabulously interesting, and it’s not just because there are vampires, werewolves and ghouls in this book. All of them have distinct personalities. Even their looks can be clearly constructed in your mind’s eye, each character different from the one before. Bod is a wonderful hero, with other characters like Silas and the numerous ghosts populating the graveyard being great support to Bod and the events in the story.
If you’re looking for a rich world within the graveyard (and beyond), then you would have found it in The Graveyard Book. Besides frightening and slimy surprises like the ghoul gates, the Jacks of All Trades are fascinating and although Gaiman doesn’t tell much about their organisation in this book, you’re left with wishing he had. What’s best is even with all the fantastical happenings, the world outside the graveyard, the one we might dub the “real world” is still presented as bountiful with adventures, wealth and knowledge.
This book is one that’s perfect for reading to children, but it holds a dark appeal for adults as well. It’s a book that requires innocent, simple thought to see through all the shrouded descriptions and mystery, and especially important for seeing and understanding the relationships between characters.
The characters are fabulously interesting, and it’s not just because there are vampires, werewolves and ghouls in this book. All of them have distinct personalities. Even their looks can be clearly constructed in your mind’s eye, each character different from the one before. Bod is a wonderful hero, with other characters like Silas and the numerous ghosts populating the graveyard being great support to Bod and the events in the story.
It's like the people who believe they'll be happy if they go and live somewhere else, but who learn it doesn't work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. If you see what I mean.
If you’re looking for a rich world within the graveyard (and beyond), then you would have found it in The Graveyard Book. Besides frightening and slimy surprises like the ghoul gates, the Jacks of All Trades are fascinating and although Gaiman doesn’t tell much about their organisation in this book, you’re left with wishing he had. What’s best is even with all the fantastical happenings, the world outside the graveyard, the one we might dub the “real world” is still presented as bountiful with adventures, wealth and knowledge.
This book is one that’s perfect for reading to children, but it holds a dark appeal for adults as well. It’s a book that requires innocent, simple thought to see through all the shrouded descriptions and mystery, and especially important for seeing and understanding the relationships between characters.
Face your life, its pain, its pleasure, leave no path untaken.
SPOILER ALERT!!
It's been 30 minutes since I finished this book... and I'm STILL crying about the ending!
It's been 30 minutes since I finished this book... and I'm STILL crying about the ending!
I have been in love with The Graveyard Book ever since I first saw the cover in the book store. It is such a special book and very dear to my heart. It's been on my re-read list for YEARS and yet I've never quite gotten around to it so I'm glad that they've made these graphic novel adaptations which
have got me to finally revisit the series.
As a man climbs a set of stairs, determined the kill the family that have been prophesied to bring down his secret organisation. But a toddler escapes his kmife and wonders through the town up to the retired cemetery at the end of town. As the assassin makes his way closer to where the toddler is, the ghosts of the cemetery agree to save the child and offer him the Protection of the Graveyard. The child, dubbed Nobody Owens, becomes a child of the graveyard and is raised by the resident ghosts and the mysterious Silas: guardian of the graveyard.
As Bod grows up, he goes on many adventures through the graveyard, being chased by ghouls, meeting the mysterious Sleer entity, exploring the unconsecrated ground for witches, suicides and criminals, and all the different terrains of a cemetery. His education comes from the ghosts who have resided there for centuries and have many historical accounts to pass on to eager young ears.
Each ghost that Bod meets and learns from marks a new chapter in the novel, and in his life. But more than that, each character is brimming with metaphorical life and personality. It was such a pleasure to meet each and every one of these ghosts and to go on those adventures with Bod. The illustrations - a different illustrator for each chapter in the adaptations - create the changes in Bod and the graveyard as he ages.
The heartbreaking truth, one that I violently deny, is that Bod is growing up and the sad truth is that of course, no one else in a graveyard will. The illustrators do an especially good job on Silas - his face displays all the pain for an event that Bod is not yet old enough to understand. While Bod has been growing up, the threat behind his attempted murder is still out there and things draw to a dramatic conclusion when the man returns to finish his job. It is an exciting ending with all things great about a chase scene where one defeats their enemies.
have got me to finally revisit the series.
As a man climbs a set of stairs, determined the kill the family that have been prophesied to bring down his secret organisation. But a toddler escapes his kmife and wonders through the town up to the retired cemetery at the end of town. As the assassin makes his way closer to where the toddler is, the ghosts of the cemetery agree to save the child and offer him the Protection of the Graveyard. The child, dubbed Nobody Owens, becomes a child of the graveyard and is raised by the resident ghosts and the mysterious Silas: guardian of the graveyard.
As Bod grows up, he goes on many adventures through the graveyard, being chased by ghouls, meeting the mysterious Sleer entity, exploring the unconsecrated ground for witches, suicides and criminals, and all the different terrains of a cemetery. His education comes from the ghosts who have resided there for centuries and have many historical accounts to pass on to eager young ears.
Each ghost that Bod meets and learns from marks a new chapter in the novel, and in his life. But more than that, each character is brimming with metaphorical life and personality. It was such a pleasure to meet each and every one of these ghosts and to go on those adventures with Bod. The illustrations - a different illustrator for each chapter in the adaptations - create the changes in Bod and the graveyard as he ages.
The heartbreaking truth, one that I violently deny, is that Bod is growing up and the sad truth is that of course, no one else in a graveyard will. The illustrators do an especially good job on Silas - his face displays all the pain for an event that Bod is not yet old enough to understand. While Bod has been growing up, the threat behind his attempted murder is still out there and things draw to a dramatic conclusion when the man returns to finish his job. It is an exciting ending with all things great about a chase scene where one defeats their enemies.
i want to see life. i want to hold it in my hands.
update, 2/2016: audiobook version this time, read by gaiman, of course. i have to say, i think his books for younger audiences are really improved by the audio reading. i enjoyed this more this time, and had completely forgotten about entire swathes of the book, so it was nice to revisit those in a lively, engaging way. the slow parts also seemed much less slow, which is a bonus. 5/5 this time.
I hesitated between four and five stars for this review, but in the end, I had to give it four. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I can't say that I loved it, like I've loved other Gaiman work, at least not up until the final chapters. My main complaint is a strange one, as I wouldn't change the structure of the book, but it still bothered me how much time was spent rambling about the graveyard with Bod as a child. I understand it was necessary, and it was certainly charming and interesting, and the bits which ultimately played into the final plot were wonderful; but at times I found myself going through the chapters wondering just where this story was going, and what the point of x, y, or z was. To be fair, these parts were still a joy to read, so I can't really say I didn't like them; more so that they were a little tedious plotwise. SEMI-SPOILER: I also wasn't fond of what ultimately happened with Scarlett, though, but that is largely because I am more a fan of nice, happy endings than I care to admit.
That all being said, the book still hit every Neil Gaiman marker that has made him such a favorite of mine: the prose was light but effective, full of detail without getting too purple; the characters were quirky and interesting, and though we weren't necessarily taken deep into their pasts or thoughts, we found out a lot about them. Even the idea was as innovative as ever -- a little boy growing up in a graveyard, able to interact with the ghosts and the cemetary itself. Very good, and worth the read, if a bit slow at times.
I hesitated between four and five stars for this review, but in the end, I had to give it four. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I can't say that I loved it, like I've loved other Gaiman work, at least not up until the final chapters. My main complaint is a strange one, as I wouldn't change the structure of the book, but it still bothered me how much time was spent rambling about the graveyard with Bod as a child. I understand it was necessary, and it was certainly charming and interesting, and the bits which ultimately played into the final plot were wonderful; but at times I found myself going through the chapters wondering just where this story was going, and what the point of x, y, or z was. To be fair, these parts were still a joy to read, so I can't really say I didn't like them; more so that they were a little tedious plotwise. SEMI-SPOILER: I also wasn't fond of what ultimately happened with Scarlett, though, but that is largely because I am more a fan of nice, happy endings than I care to admit.
That all being said, the book still hit every Neil Gaiman marker that has made him such a favorite of mine: the prose was light but effective, full of detail without getting too purple; the characters were quirky and interesting, and though we weren't necessarily taken deep into their pasts or thoughts, we found out a lot about them. Even the idea was as innovative as ever -- a little boy growing up in a graveyard, able to interact with the ghosts and the cemetary itself. Very good, and worth the read, if a bit slow at times.
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
The Graveyard book was mix of paranormal, horror story; a wonderful childhood story of Nobody Owens living quirky life among the dead and yearning to learn more about world of living and killer who killed his parents.
Book started with how Nobody Owens (Bod) came to live in graveyard and got adopted by the Owens. Bod’s adventurous nature while he was toddler in the beginning hooked me to the story and I knew I’m going to adore this kid. Bod was clever, inquisitive, and courageous kid. There were lot of characters in the book. Characterization was unique and I loved to read about all the characters and their relationship with Bod. Relationship between Bod and Silas was most fascinating to read. They had unique bonding and I enjoyed dialogues between them and the way Silas handled Bod’s inquisitive nature.
There were ghosts, ghouls, witch, werewolf, mummy, bullies, criminals, and greedy people… everything young readers would love to read in the book. Each chapter depicted adventure of Body in graveyard as well as in outside world and introduced new character both inhabitant of graveyard and characters from outside world with their short story along with a new lesson to learn for Bod.
I loved the way Neil Gaiman explained difficult words in the book. He narrated story charmingly with picturesque description and imagination. Setting of the Graveyard on the hill, its inhabitants with their headstone inscription and their story was the best part of the book. I enjoyed Bod’s adventure in school and the way he handled bullies. Another favorite chapter was his adventure in world of ghouls.
This book gave insight on belongingness through Bod’s connection with both worlds, family and friendship, importance of teaching and learning that saved Bod in the world of Living and Dead. The twist and turns in each adventure was thrilling. The mystery about why man Jack killed Bod’s family and whether Bod could escape from the man Jack or will he take his revenge for murdering his family made the book gripping and unputdownable. Well, that reason was just meh, I didn’t buy it but that didn’t stop me adoring this book. End was good and satisfactory. I wish I could read more. This was my first book by Neil Gaiman and won’t be the last.
Overall, it was interesting gripping adventure of Bod and His life in graveyard that I recommend to all young readers who enjoy horror and thriller stories with quirky characters.
The Graveyard book was mix of paranormal, horror story; a wonderful childhood story of Nobody Owens living quirky life among the dead and yearning to learn more about world of living and killer who killed his parents.
Book started with how Nobody Owens (Bod) came to live in graveyard and got adopted by the Owens. Bod’s adventurous nature while he was toddler in the beginning hooked me to the story and I knew I’m going to adore this kid. Bod was clever, inquisitive, and courageous kid. There were lot of characters in the book. Characterization was unique and I loved to read about all the characters and their relationship with Bod. Relationship between Bod and Silas was most fascinating to read. They had unique bonding and I enjoyed dialogues between them and the way Silas handled Bod’s inquisitive nature.
There were ghosts, ghouls, witch, werewolf, mummy, bullies, criminals, and greedy people… everything young readers would love to read in the book. Each chapter depicted adventure of Body in graveyard as well as in outside world and introduced new character both inhabitant of graveyard and characters from outside world with their short story along with a new lesson to learn for Bod.
I loved the way Neil Gaiman explained difficult words in the book. He narrated story charmingly with picturesque description and imagination. Setting of the Graveyard on the hill, its inhabitants with their headstone inscription and their story was the best part of the book. I enjoyed Bod’s adventure in school and the way he handled bullies. Another favorite chapter was his adventure in world of ghouls.
This book gave insight on belongingness through Bod’s connection with both worlds, family and friendship, importance of teaching and learning that saved Bod in the world of Living and Dead. The twist and turns in each adventure was thrilling. The mystery about why man Jack killed Bod’s family and whether Bod could escape from the man Jack or will he take his revenge for murdering his family made the book gripping and unputdownable. Well, that reason was just meh, I didn’t buy it but that didn’t stop me adoring this book. End was good and satisfactory. I wish I could read more. This was my first book by Neil Gaiman and won’t be the last.
Overall, it was interesting gripping adventure of Bod and His life in graveyard that I recommend to all young readers who enjoy horror and thriller stories with quirky characters.
4!
The main character's name is Nobody Owens, that alone is 5 stars!
But really, this book was fun, quick and not that spooky, but the fact that its setting is a graveyard gives it a bit of a dark undertone which helped with the comedy part of it.
Good characters, yes it had ghosts, vampires, werewolves and all the monsters that you can think of for a "horror" story, but it never focused on them as "monsters", but them as individuals. I wish more authors would do this instead of putting monsters in their stories as an easy plot point.
And that's it!
Neil, good job, loved the ghosts.
The main character's name is Nobody Owens, that alone is 5 stars!
But really, this book was fun, quick and not that spooky, but the fact that its setting is a graveyard gives it a bit of a dark undertone which helped with the comedy part of it.
Good characters, yes it had ghosts, vampires, werewolves and all the monsters that you can think of for a "horror" story, but it never focused on them as "monsters", but them as individuals. I wish more authors would do this instead of putting monsters in their stories as an easy plot point.
And that's it!
Neil, good job, loved the ghosts.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. I'd recommend it to younger readers, especially kids who've read Harry Potter, and don't know what to move on to next.
First time I read a book by Neil Gaiman. The story is okay but had a serious problem with the big plot. At least, it's well written and some of the characters are interesting.