Review: The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman
Posted by Kate on Tuesday Jun 16, 2009 Under Book Review
Barring my untimely death from the J.K. Rowling camp, I’m going to come out and say it.The Graveyard Book from Neil Gaiman is better than Harry Potter. Any of the novels actually. I know, I said it. Dumbledore, please forgive me.
From the very opening scene of this young adult novel, I was entranced. Parents be warned, it will knot your stomach from the beginning sentence until the end of chapter one. Gaiman does his best however,to throw you biscuits of humor as not to shell shock early on.
What starts out as a terrifying tale best served with hot chocolate and roasted s’mores over a campfire, turns into one of the most beloved young adult stories. I can see why it won the Newberry and is up for a Hugo come August.
Without giving anything away, The Graveyard Book is a must read, or listen. I was content on reading the book until a friend had mentioned Gaiman’s narrating skills. As this is the field I hope to one day call my full-time career, I will tell you that there are narrators and there are master storytellers. Neil Gaiman is definitely in the latter category.
Character driven, creative and fun, this book deserves all they hype it’s getting. It is a rare story than can conjure true emotion from the reader and personally, I experienced everything from fear, mirth, and finally bittersweet closure.
This is YA fiction to which every adult must surrender. If not only for the ride, but for the deeper meaning of what it truly means to breathe…and live.
Available through Amazon.com
Also signed letered editions from Subterrean Press. (I wish I had known about this book when the limited edition still existed. I may have to save for the lettered.)
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June 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I also loved the Graveyard book, although I think I’d classify it a kids book rather than a YA. I’m not sure that high school kids would enjoy it much as pre-teens–I’m thinking it’ll be good for an upcoming birthday gift for one of the small people in my life, the one turning 11 next year.
But I 100% agree about the awesomeness of the book. I love how he’s not afraid to address dark subjects in kids books.I think kids books are almost a little too neat and clean–at least in reference to the things I remember loving and the stories that stuck with me: the more gruesome the better!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I shall move this to the top of my iPod list immediately.