A review by leona
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings