The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman (Author's Website)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2008
ISBN-13: 9780747598848
289 pages
By Neil Gaiman (Author's Website)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2008
ISBN-13: 9780747598848
289 pages
Page 280: You’re always you, and that don’t change, and you’re always changing, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
The Graveyard Book, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book is one clever storytelling by Neil Gaiman. And if you are looking for something exciting, imaginative and adventurous, you will not be disappointed. Not forgetting magical too as there is always magic in Gaiman’s work. Garth Nix said: “I wish my younger self could have had the opportunity to read and reread this wonderful book, and my older self wishes that I had written it.”
The story opens with the man Jack coming to the house to accomplish what needs to be done: to kill the whole family. When the man Jack is done with the father, the mother and the sister, he goes to look for the fourth and youngest member—a baby boy. Before this, the baby is awaken by some crashing sound and feeling bored after being awaken, ‘plots’ for an escape from his cot. He just decides to leave the house and totters up the hill, to the graveyard.
At the graveyard, the long-dead Owen couple takes him as their own child (after a debate by the souls at the graveyards) and raise him as their own. They call him Nobody Owens or Bod for short. Bod has a guardian, too, and his name is Silas. Bod is educated by ghosts and is warned of the dangers outside the graveyard. His family killer, the man Jack is still at large, but at that point of time Bod is still unaware of his family history.
I find myself totally immersed in this book. Apart from a great story that both young and adult readers will enjoy, there are also great lessons. For example, the passage below inspires:
The Graveyard Book, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book is one clever storytelling by Neil Gaiman. And if you are looking for something exciting, imaginative and adventurous, you will not be disappointed. Not forgetting magical too as there is always magic in Gaiman’s work. Garth Nix said: “I wish my younger self could have had the opportunity to read and reread this wonderful book, and my older self wishes that I had written it.”
The story opens with the man Jack coming to the house to accomplish what needs to be done: to kill the whole family. When the man Jack is done with the father, the mother and the sister, he goes to look for the fourth and youngest member—a baby boy. Before this, the baby is awaken by some crashing sound and feeling bored after being awaken, ‘plots’ for an escape from his cot. He just decides to leave the house and totters up the hill, to the graveyard.
At the graveyard, the long-dead Owen couple takes him as their own child (after a debate by the souls at the graveyards) and raise him as their own. They call him Nobody Owens or Bod for short. Bod has a guardian, too, and his name is Silas. Bod is educated by ghosts and is warned of the dangers outside the graveyard. His family killer, the man Jack is still at large, but at that point of time Bod is still unaware of his family history.
I find myself totally immersed in this book. Apart from a great story that both young and adult readers will enjoy, there are also great lessons. For example, the passage below inspires:
You’re alive, Bod. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you change the world, the world will change. Potential. Once you’re dead, it’s gone. Over. You’ve made what you made, dreamed your dream, written your name. (p. 165-166)
Children can learn to be obedient and listen to adults who only want what is good for them. Bod has a wonderful family and friends in the land of the dead who genuinely care for him. Neil Gaiman was not preachy when he sprinkled the good lessons through Bod’s adventures. Naturally, Bod is a curious boy, and he wants to see and experience things for himself.
I will definitely be rereading The Graveyard Book and I highly recommend it!
I will definitely be rereading The Graveyard Book and I highly recommend it!
Do check out the following review(s) too:
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11 commented:
it's an interesting book. :)
Thanks for the great review. I'll check that :)
Happy weekend
I'm really glad you enjoyed it, Alice! And I love the passage you shared. One of my favourites :)
wow, what a great review. I really need to read this one. I agree Gaimans writing is magical.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Hi Jeanny, this is a great book. You must read it, OK? :D
Hey Nymeth, I revisited your review and saw the same passage quoted. This is too cool!
Thanks very much, Naida! You really, really need to. I think you'll like it. :D
Alice, I'm glad you enjoyed this book too! This is one of my favourite books by Neil Gaiman! And thanks for linking my review. :)
It's an interesting review. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds fascinating and so original. I loved your review. And you picked really good quotes. Thanks.
I think I'm going to wait until next year and use this one as part of my YA challenge. It sounds like such a great book!
My pleasure, Melody! I'm glad you enjoyed this book too. I must say, this is one of Gaiman's best work!
You're welcome, Rachel. I hope you will catch this one if you're thinking of reading his books.
Thanks, Nicole! It's indeed something different from the usual offering. :)
Jen, I have a feeling you'll enjoy this one. Happy reading for your challenge! *GRIN*
I'm looking forward to reading this one too! Great review, Alice!
Thanks, Wendy! I hope you'll enjoy it. I like it very much.
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