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A review by jennereads
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
5.0
May I begin by telling my good friend Jenifer "thank you" for suggesting this book--especially in its audio form (a second plug by Grammar Girl was also appreciated).
I loved The Graveyard Book's originality, especially because it is geared towards younger readers. This book is exciting and charming. The main character, Bod (short for Nobody) is endearing, as are many of the other characters. After being untimely orphaned, Bod is taken in by the inhabitants of a graveyard. He grows up there and is taught a variety of lessons by those who are buried there. He often refers to the inhabitants by their name, birth and death dates and epitaph. He struggles with his desire to be among those who are breathing and his need to have the graveyard's protection from those who want him dead.
I can't pretend that I didn't wonder about certain things: where does he bathe?, who washes his clothing?, and, is there a restroom in the graveyard? But all of these questions seem unimportant in the end.
As an adult I was actually nervous bordering on down-right scared at times. It is a suspenseful and sometimes touching tale.
Audio review: I almost feel like you would be missing out more than a little bit by only reading this book. It is read by the author who does a very impressive job. The variations in language and accent are spot on. Excellent!
I loved The Graveyard Book's originality, especially because it is geared towards younger readers. This book is exciting and charming. The main character, Bod (short for Nobody) is endearing, as are many of the other characters. After being untimely orphaned, Bod is taken in by the inhabitants of a graveyard. He grows up there and is taught a variety of lessons by those who are buried there. He often refers to the inhabitants by their name, birth and death dates and epitaph. He struggles with his desire to be among those who are breathing and his need to have the graveyard's protection from those who want him dead.
I can't pretend that I didn't wonder about certain things: where does he bathe?, who washes his clothing?, and, is there a restroom in the graveyard? But all of these questions seem unimportant in the end.
As an adult I was actually nervous bordering on down-right scared at times. It is a suspenseful and sometimes touching tale.
Audio review: I almost feel like you would be missing out more than a little bit by only reading this book. It is read by the author who does a very impressive job. The variations in language and accent are spot on. Excellent!