The Graveyard Book is Neil Gaiman’s second
entry into the young adult arena. The first novel was Coraline and that
is being made into an upcoming movie. The book follows the adventures of
Nobody Owens also known as Bod (think I would have stayed with Nobody).
His parents meet an unfortunate fate that forces Nobody to live the
neighborhood graveyard. Nobody is raised by ghosts, Mr. & Mrs.
Owens, and a caretaker, Silas.
Dust Jacket Summary: Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.
There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.
But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack-who has already killed Bod’s family. . . .
Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.
What I liked: Easy answer, everything. This is a book that will sneak up on you. It will start out simple in the beginning but by the end you are deeply involved with the characters. Neil Gaiman also accomplishes what few authors can. His young Nobody acts and sounds like kid and as he grows, the character changes to match his maturity. The side characters are also well thought out and add much to the story.
What I didn’t like: I wish the book was longer. Some of the side characters, like Silas, have an interesting back story that is never fully explored. One can always hope for a sequel.
Last word: Don’t be put off by the Young Adult tag. Go buy it now, you will not be sorry.
Dust Jacket Summary: Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.
There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.
But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack-who has already killed Bod’s family. . . .
Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.
What I liked: Easy answer, everything. This is a book that will sneak up on you. It will start out simple in the beginning but by the end you are deeply involved with the characters. Neil Gaiman also accomplishes what few authors can. His young Nobody acts and sounds like kid and as he grows, the character changes to match his maturity. The side characters are also well thought out and add much to the story.
What I didn’t like: I wish the book was longer. Some of the side characters, like Silas, have an interesting back story that is never fully explored. One can always hope for a sequel.
Last word: Don’t be put off by the Young Adult tag. Go buy it now, you will not be sorry.
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