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raegancihammers 's review for:
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
This slim book is nothing short of magical. I read it in one sitting, which is really rare for me, even with short books. All the things that make Neil Gaiman an unique and exciting writer are present here. His stories always contain a strangeness to them. Like looking at our world while hanging upside-down or through a foggy widow. Its recognizable, but not quite the same. The best part is that Gaiman never seems to want to apologize or justify the strangeness. He just lets it be strange. And before you realize what's happened - it isn't so strange anymore, its just part of the story's charm.
I found Gaiman's narrator one of the best child narrators I've read in a long time. I think it must be hard for an author to capture that space between the genuine naivete and sharp awareness and complexity of childhood. On one hand children know more than adults give them credit for, but they don't always understand everything they see. Gaiman found a way to narrate from that space and also put a lot of trust in the reader to navigate it.
I won't say much about themes other than to to mention that some of them take a while to emerge. Give this book at last 147 pages before you give up on it.
And last but not least - the writing. Just wow. He is a master for a reason. Like in the Sandman books and many others, the way he pulls all the pieces together in the end is nothing short of brilliant. But the way in which it is delivered - that is where the magic comes from.
I found Gaiman's narrator one of the best child narrators I've read in a long time. I think it must be hard for an author to capture that space between the genuine naivete and sharp awareness and complexity of childhood. On one hand children know more than adults give them credit for, but they don't always understand everything they see. Gaiman found a way to narrate from that space and also put a lot of trust in the reader to navigate it.
I won't say much about themes other than to to mention that some of them take a while to emerge. Give this book at last 147 pages before you give up on it.
And last but not least - the writing. Just wow. He is a master for a reason. Like in the Sandman books and many others, the way he pulls all the pieces together in the end is nothing short of brilliant. But the way in which it is delivered - that is where the magic comes from.