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bdeleon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
earthtoterra's review against another edition
Remind me not to quit an audiobook halfway through - I will not turn it on again. Will return to later.
tobesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
mcloonejack's review against another edition
4.0
There’s nothing quite like a really well-done coming-of-age book that 1) has a nice twist on the formula and 2) doesn’t assume younger readers are dumb, and Neil Gaiman does both in The Graveyard Book. The interactions between Bod and the various ghosts of the graveyard are full of the classic Gaiman wit, and the story is also full of heart.
A good 2/3 of this book is spent not really addressing the central conflict plaguing Bod, but I honestly didn’t care. I’d read like 3 more books just centered around him learning lessons from various ghosts and getting cryptic information from Silas. Though the moments where Gaiman does let the tension in he, as Margaret Atwood points out in the forward of my edition, is able to right “horror” for a child because he understands what kids are afraid of. If you put your mind there as an adult, you’ll find yourself surprisingly spooked as well. And, especially in the long climactic chapter, on edge.
Is it a little thin? Sure, it’s a book geared towards younger readers. But it’s ultimately a ton of fun and sweet.
A good 2/3 of this book is spent not really addressing the central conflict plaguing Bod, but I honestly didn’t care. I’d read like 3 more books just centered around him learning lessons from various ghosts and getting cryptic information from Silas. Though the moments where Gaiman does let the tension in he, as Margaret Atwood points out in the forward of my edition, is able to right “horror” for a child because he understands what kids are afraid of. If you put your mind there as an adult, you’ll find yourself surprisingly spooked as well. And, especially in the long climactic chapter, on edge.
Is it a little thin? Sure, it’s a book geared towards younger readers. But it’s ultimately a ton of fun and sweet.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
5.0
This is a lovely children's book, and I'll probably buy a physical copy to re-read it. And all of the kids I know are getting a copy, too. Gaiman certainly doesn't shy away from the idea of violence and death, but he deals with it so poetically that it's completely appropriate. It's a book about growing up, about family, about love, and about loss. He's able to take important themes and write about them using well developed and interesting characters. The diction and style is age-appropriate but never, ever dumbed down or pandering. And Gaiman reads this himself, doing a wonderful job--his voice is soothing and pleasant to listen to, and he has a terrific grasp of character voice inflection (of the utmost importance for audiobooks). He had my crying at the end while I sat in the parking lot of school (a total "driveway moment") before I had to go in for a faculty workshop. Thanks a lot, Neil.
jennaaaaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mathman329's review against another edition
5.0
2024 Book Review - Book No. 15: “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman
Date started: 3/22/24
Date finished: 3/31/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like other works by Gaiman, unconventional families, and “The Jungle Book”)
Spoiler free review: This book sat on my bookshelf for far too long before I finally picked it up to read it. Knowing that it was heavily influenced by “The Jungle Book” made it difficult for me to read and not draw comparisons with one of my favorite Disney movies of all time (yes, I know that itself is based on Kipling’s books). Even so, Neil made the story his own by replacing the animals of the jungle with humans dead, alive, and otherwise in between.
While talking with a coworker about some of Neil’s works, I shared my affinity for The Marquis de Carabas, a favorite character of mine from Gaiman’s “Neverwhere”. One of the things that made me finally pick this up was a coworker’s assertion that Silas, the guardian of young Nobody Owens, was one of their favorite literary characters of all time. Again, drawing from the cartoon, I assumed Silas would be like an alternate version of Bagheera, which he in essence was while also maintaining his own identity. I could see the appeal in Silas’ character, though, and would really love to see a buddy comedy novel featuring Silas and the Marquis as a Gaimanesque “Odd Couple”.
The layout of the chapters in “The Graveyard Book” was also great, with each chapter taking on different aspects and periods of time of Bod’s life in the cemetery that has vowed to protect him after the murder of the rest of his family in the opening stanza. You genuinely feel for Bod as he has so many people looking out for him, and yet he still is missing out on connections with the living. By the end, it was difficult to tell who was more disappointed - Bod and his sadness over not being a part of the rest of the world, or me in knowing I wouldn’t get to spend more time with Bod and his ghostly associates. Ultimately, I guess we both had things to look forward to: the rest of his life for Bod, and a new book to dive into for me. Despite what little time we had with each other throughout “The Graveyard Book”, it was certainly worth it.
Date started: 3/22/24
Date finished: 3/31/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like other works by Gaiman, unconventional families, and “The Jungle Book”)
Spoiler free review: This book sat on my bookshelf for far too long before I finally picked it up to read it. Knowing that it was heavily influenced by “The Jungle Book” made it difficult for me to read and not draw comparisons with one of my favorite Disney movies of all time (yes, I know that itself is based on Kipling’s books). Even so, Neil made the story his own by replacing the animals of the jungle with humans dead, alive, and otherwise in between.
While talking with a coworker about some of Neil’s works, I shared my affinity for The Marquis de Carabas, a favorite character of mine from Gaiman’s “Neverwhere”. One of the things that made me finally pick this up was a coworker’s assertion that Silas, the guardian of young Nobody Owens, was one of their favorite literary characters of all time. Again, drawing from the cartoon, I assumed Silas would be like an alternate version of Bagheera, which he in essence was while also maintaining his own identity. I could see the appeal in Silas’ character, though, and would really love to see a buddy comedy novel featuring Silas and the Marquis as a Gaimanesque “Odd Couple”.
The layout of the chapters in “The Graveyard Book” was also great, with each chapter taking on different aspects and periods of time of Bod’s life in the cemetery that has vowed to protect him after the murder of the rest of his family in the opening stanza. You genuinely feel for Bod as he has so many people looking out for him, and yet he still is missing out on connections with the living. By the end, it was difficult to tell who was more disappointed - Bod and his sadness over not being a part of the rest of the world, or me in knowing I wouldn’t get to spend more time with Bod and his ghostly associates. Ultimately, I guess we both had things to look forward to: the rest of his life for Bod, and a new book to dive into for me. Despite what little time we had with each other throughout “The Graveyard Book”, it was certainly worth it.
riverofhorton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0