The Graveyard Book, published in 2008, is a work of Neil Gaiman’s that instantly appeals to readers of the macabre and strange. The novel follows Nobody ‘Bod’ Owens through his experiences of living with a cohort of ghouls and ghosts within a cemetery. The Graveyard Book chronicles his life throughout the graveyard and the places in its vicinity, and was a novel that succeeded Gaiman’s 2002 novel Coraline, which was adapted for television just a year after the release of The Graveyard Book.
I did not enjoy this book at all. One of the most central reasons for this was that the novel wasn’t actually a novel at all, but rather a collection of short stories that occurred with Nobody throughout his life. I don’t know whether I had set my expectations too high when I purchased the book, but all hopes and aspirations were crumbled by uninteresting characters, bland dialogue and boring plot development.
One of the main reasons I feel I didn’t enjoy this book is the fact that I had extremely high expectations for it. Coraline, the novel written by the same author, continues to be my favourite film and novel–if not actual thin–on the planet, and though I had delved into Gaiman’s adult novels (American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane) I had never felt the need to explore his young adult/children books. I highly doubt that I will ever be doing this again after the impression this novel left on me.
I also feel as though my reasons for disliking this novel stem back to its failed attempt at setting inspirations. Graveyards have always been a point of interest for me–their ominous feel, their fearful history–but I feel as though The Graveyard Book completely missed an opportunity to really develop and give backstory to the graveyard that Bod found himself in. I was rather annoyed that Gaiman had not given us more information on the beginnings of the graveyard, which was something I thought he (Gaiman) could’ve played with.
All in all, this book was a disappointment, and while I will say that it will not hinder my complete love for his early work, Gaiman may find that I will not be giving this novel complete praise if he ever comes to read this review (wishful thinking.)
The penultimate novel from the world of the Magisterium series is set one year after the events of The Silver Mask. Callum Hunt has been framed and is now residing in prison. But, after being broken out, Callum is captured and detained on an island out in the sea, forced to continue his study on …
Elizabeth Murmur is moving with her unusual friend Zenobia to Witheringe House, the place where her dad grew up with his sister Tourmaline. Zenobia loves it and is convinced that there is a Spirit Presence in the East Wing, where they are forbidden to go. She tries to contact it using a book on clairvoyance, …
DRAGON RIDER follows the tale of Firedrake, a young dragon who sets off on a quest to find the acclaimed Rim of Heaven after learning that his home–and all the dragons that live in it–are in grave danger of a man-induced flood that will destroy their riparian home. Along the way, he will be joined …
For anyone who loves fairy tales with a twist, the Rondo series is the perfect way to escape to a world of magic and mystery. Rodda creates a new layer to the classic formula, drawing from familiar characters such as evil queens, talking animals and mythical creatures, but the addition of two protagonists from the …
Hunting Prince Dracula is a wonderfully haunting and cleverly crafted mystery novel from Kerri Maniscalco, author of Stalking Jack the Ripper. The novel, which involves the same characters from the aforementioned story, instead follows Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her close companion Thomas Creswell as they travel to Romania to enrol in a forensics course held …
Marcus Zusak’s captivating debut novel follows the story of Liesel, who witnesses the death of her younger brother while on a train through Germany. When she discovers a novel hidden in the snow while standing by her brother’s grave, Liesel pockets it, despite the fact that she has not acquired the ability to read. When …
Book Review – The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I did not enjoy this book at all. One of the most central reasons for this was that the novel wasn’t actually a novel at all, but rather a collection of short stories that occurred with Nobody throughout his life. I don’t know whether I had set my expectations too high when I purchased the book, but all hopes and aspirations were crumbled by uninteresting characters, bland dialogue and boring plot development.
One of the main reasons I feel I didn’t enjoy this book is the fact that I had extremely high expectations for it. Coraline, the novel written by the same author, continues to be my favourite film and novel–if not actual thin–on the planet, and though I had delved into Gaiman’s adult novels (American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane) I had never felt the need to explore his young adult/children books. I highly doubt that I will ever be doing this again after the impression this novel left on me.
I also feel as though my reasons for disliking this novel stem back to its failed attempt at setting inspirations. Graveyards have always been a point of interest for me–their ominous feel, their fearful history–but I feel as though The Graveyard Book completely missed an opportunity to really develop and give backstory to the graveyard that Bod found himself in. I was rather annoyed that Gaiman had not given us more information on the beginnings of the graveyard, which was something I thought he (Gaiman) could’ve played with.
All in all, this book was a disappointment, and while I will say that it will not hinder my complete love for his early work, Gaiman may find that I will not be giving this novel complete praise if he ever comes to read this review (wishful thinking.)
Plot: 3/10
Characters: 5/10
Writing: 6/10
OVERALL: 5.5/10
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