You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
savanapavlak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
columnclub's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
I kind of feel like everything interesting here was done better in a different Neil Gaiman novel. There are great moments in it, but they're wrapped up in a story that, for me, was too reflective and didn't give me enough to root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Animal death
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
I feel like I need to stew on this one for a while to fully appreciate it. I love Gaiman's writing style and this one has been on my tbr for literal years, but I'm not sure if I read this one at the right time for me. Only being my second Gaiman book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is quite different from what I've read from him previously, both in genre and content. I admire the versatility that Gainman can deliver.
That being said, this book has a lot to grapple with, and I'm not sure my tired brain can currently take it all. Don't get me wrong, this book was good, but I don't think I'm currently in the right mindset or mood to do a profound mental deep dive into it.
I'm glad to have finally read this one, nevertheless.
That being said, this book has a lot to grapple with, and I'm not sure my tired brain can currently take it all. Don't get me wrong, this book was good, but I don't think I'm currently in the right mindset or mood to do a profound mental deep dive into it.
I'm glad to have finally read this one, nevertheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal death
leona's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
elyssajoh'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? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, and Suicide
ellatuulia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Child abuse
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Animal death and Car accident
mgcalder's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Certainly an interesting read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
linw21's review against another edition
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.
You should definitely check the trigger warnings before reading this book, because it is INTENSE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
casually_coastal_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Animal death and Suicide
bokchoybaby's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Death
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Sexual content