02:21 Aug 30 2011
Times Read: 1,652
I have been reading the newest addition to my library, The Graveyard Book, by (do I even have to state who wrote it at this point?) Neil Gaiman. Essentially it's The Jungle Book as only Gaiman could write it.
The story starts with a murder, well, three murders. The murderer is the man Jack, and he means to make a young boy his fourth victim. However, the little boy, only about a year and a half old at the start, finds his way out of his house and in a graveyard away from the harm brought on by the man Jack. The boy, called Nobody, because he looks like nobody, and Owens, after the kindly dead cople that adopted him, grows up in that graveyard. He has a guardian, Silas, who may very well be a vampire, though it's never really stated, as not much is ever stated about Silas. The book reads like a collection of short stories. Each chapter a new part, each chapter taking place two years after the previous. You meet a wide array of characters, both living and dead, that are simply fantastic.
It's really no secret that I simply adore Mr. Gaiman. I have everything he's ever written (save for the Sandman comics), and all the film adaptations of his books, even those he did screenplays for. Hell, I even created a Coven due to my love for his creations (Smoke and Mirrors). So, it's not aurprising that I would enjoy this book as much as his other works. What did surprise me is the fact that my love for this book is more than I expected it to be. It's actually knocked Coraine, his frist real treck into childrens literature, out of it's high place in my heart. it comes only second to his American Gods.
The thing I love about Gaiman is that he doesn't water down his writing style simply because something is meant for a younger audience. A lot of books I have read for children and young adults reads like it's for children and young adults. Gaiman has a way of making even childrens books entrhalling to any reader. I don't feel silly, even at 24, reading it. The elements, gothic in nature, are a little on the tame side, but they stay true to themselves. And this book has many fascinating creatures in it, ghosts, living people, werewolves (called The Hounds of God), ghouls and other creatures of fancy. And yes, though it's on the darker side (what childrens books often open with murder?), it still has a fantastic message hidden amongst the wonder.
I highly recomend The Graveyard Book to any reader of any age looking for a wonderful story to get lost in for a while.
"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've made, dreamed your dream, written yor name. You may be buried here, you may even walk. But that potential is finished.” ~ Silas
COMMENTS
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Requiem
02:39 Aug 30 2011
I absolutely adore Neil Gaiman. ♥