Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Coraline

I want to start this review by saying that this book is firmly on my re-readable pile, and it may well be my new favourite modern horror book. Which I find amazing considering this is a children's book.

I found it to be just the right level of horror to be a casual read, which I find I'm most likely to return to in the future. A good portion of the horror content of the horror was of the slightly-to-the-left-of-normal kind, rather than being overt and graphic.

This book offers depth to the world and story, rather than a shower of blood and guts found in some other horror book I've read. Sometimes I think this kind of horror takes more work, and this is even more true when it's a children's book and the author (presumably) knows adults will also read it and so also need to be thrilled. To me, this shows the mastery of the art of writing that Neil Gaiman repeatedly demonstrates.

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annie_brewer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

Having read the book after watching the movie, my imagination was spoilt! However, the colourful imagery in my mind from the screen fit in nicely with the tale and I am impressed how strong and accurate the movie adaptation was. The parts of the writing not included in the movie were also able to fit in seamlessly in my reccolection of the movie world and were testament to Gaiman's storytelling writting.
The impatient and paticular temprament of Coraline is exceptionally believable, the oddball characters she encounters are an unsettling delight, and the other mother is the queen of creepy!

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shelvesofivy's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

3.75

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lydia_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

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

4.0

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heuteschongekurtet's review

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adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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filipa_maia's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

I absolutely, 100%, loved this book. From now on it's going to be my go-to book for Halloween. This is the perfect loveable-but-spooky story.

Neil Gaiman writes the most unthinkable tales that stick with you forever. I've watched Coraline but the book is so much better, so much scarier... the way things are described, my God! This is not a childrens book. And the drawings are so dark and twisted.

Coraline is such a great character, so strong and empowered. Such a great role model for young girls, I'm just not shore if they will be able to sleep after reading this story.

I declare myself a Neil Gaiman fan, I will hunt and read every single book by him!

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