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raenyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've had my eye on the illustrated edition of this book for ages, and I was finally given an excuse to get it when it was chosen for my local book club! I 100% recommend the illustrated edition as I really felt it helped build the atmosphere of the book, and certain scenes are so well depicted.
This book covers some dark topics, so do check the content warnings if you're wary of anything! I wasn't expecting these topics going in, but I do feel they are all well handled, and I'll be thinking about this one for a while I reckon.
The story focuses on a man who is visiting his childhood home as he begins to remember some interesting childhood events that he appears to have completely forgotten. The book is very mysterious, and not a lot is explained, especially the magic. However, I really liked it in this instance as for most of the book we are seeing the events from the mind of a seven year old and so I felt this was very effective as at seven years old I wouldn't have understood what was going on either.
This book is pretty short, but I feel the characters are so well fleshed out, and the story achieves everything it set out to do with the space given. The lead character is very relateable and has a lot of emotional impact as he goes along this journey. It's definitely a page turner, I read it in two sittings. As soon as it got going, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from Neil Gaiman! 4.5⭐️
This book covers some dark topics, so do check the content warnings if you're wary of anything! I wasn't expecting these topics going in, but I do feel they are all well handled, and I'll be thinking about this one for a while I reckon.
The story focuses on a man who is visiting his childhood home as he begins to remember some interesting childhood events that he appears to have completely forgotten. The book is very mysterious, and not a lot is explained, especially the magic. However, I really liked it in this instance as for most of the book we are seeing the events from the mind of a seven year old and so I felt this was very effective as at seven years old I wouldn't have understood what was going on either.
This book is pretty short, but I feel the characters are so well fleshed out, and the story achieves everything it set out to do with the space given. The lead character is very relateable and has a lot of emotional impact as he goes along this journey. It's definitely a page turner, I read it in two sittings. As soon as it got going, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from Neil Gaiman! 4.5⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
waqas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
pho_ar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
To be fair, Gaiman is one of my favorite authors so I expected to like it, but what I didn't expect was to be sitting on my couch near tears and being confused as to why and maybe that just makes sense for this book.
But I guess with this review, I will attempt to explain myself.
The best way I can describe this book is cozy, dark, fantasy that borders on thriller, perhaps some horror elements. I found this intriguing and perhaps why I like this book. It was like you were terrified, but you were with friends and had a comfy blanket for protection(because nothing can get you if you are under a protective blanket).
The whole story feels like this dream that plays on what is reality and what isn't, and it's told through the lense of someone remembering their childhood, which makes this very interesting and in some ways easier, like less worrisome, considering what happens because you know the main character is fine.
I guess what got me was the Hempstocks. The fact that there were literal monsters outside, but they kept the main character safe. They always did, even if it meant they got hurt. And that was beautiful and gut-wrenching, I guess, in the way that it ends, but they continue to be his safe place.
So this was oddly comforting in a way that stirred tears. Maybe it just felt nice to be protected from the dark.
But I guess with this review, I will attempt to explain myself.
The best way I can describe this book is cozy, dark, fantasy that borders on thriller, perhaps some horror elements. I found this intriguing and perhaps why I like this book. It was like you were terrified, but you were with friends and had a comfy blanket for protection(because nothing can get you if you are under a protective blanket).
The whole story feels like this dream that plays on what is reality and what isn't, and it's told through the lense of someone remembering their childhood, which makes this very interesting and in some ways easier, like less worrisome, considering what happens because you know the main character is fine.
I guess what got me was the Hempstocks. The fact that there were literal monsters outside, but they kept the main character safe. They always did, even if it meant they got hurt. And that was beautiful and gut-wrenching, I guess, in the way that it ends, but they continue to be his safe place.
So this was oddly comforting in a way that stirred tears. Maybe it just felt nice to be protected from the dark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
torismazarine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, and Suicide
jolineliest's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Vomit, Grief, and Car accident
starbits140's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
grclnntt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity
lizzl's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Well when I started reading I was pretty sure this book would make me cry. It did.
It's an absolutely beautiful book both the prose and Elise Hurst's illustrations. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Neil Gaiman's writing even just a little bit.
It's an absolutely beautiful book both the prose and Elise Hurst's illustrations. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Neil Gaiman's writing even just a little bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Body horror
Minor: Infidelity
michael_richter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Bullying and Child death
jessers13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child abuse