The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I can now officially say that I have now read a Neil Gaiman book. And for the record I had The Graveyard Book checked out from the library before it won this years Newbery Medal. I would have read it one way or another.
If you don’t know the premise by now, The Graveyard Book opens on a sinister note as we witness the murder of an entire family. All but one. A toddler avoids his own death by simply leaving his bedroom and walking out the door. He ends up at a graveyard where he is adopted by ghosts and taken into protection by Silas, an individual who isn’t quite dead but not living either. Nobody Owens, or Bod, as they call him grows up learning every nook and cranny of the graveyard and getting an ear full of history as his closest friends are the ghostly inhabitants of the graveyard.
The story is told in short episodes that could almost each stand on their own. The story progresses as Bod copes with wanting to join the outside wold but remaining secure in the graveyard as his killer is still trying to finish what he started.
Did I like it? Well, yes and no. To be honest, I just don’t think this genre is the type of book that I enjoy in the first place. The story just didn’t grab me. I would often set the book down and leave it. In fact, it took about a week to read which is unusual for me. I also didn’t care for the illustrations by Dave McKean. But all that said, I can totally see why The Graveyard Book is so popular. It’s story premise is unusual and Gaiman is a natural born storyteller. I enjoyed Bod’s adventures and the graveyard inhabitants. Overall, I’m happy that I read it. I’m always up for trying something new. But, I just don’t think I’ll be runnning out to read his other books right away. Maybe eventually, but not at the moment.
The Graveyard Book book trailer:
Neil Gaiman website and blog. What’s your favorite Neil Gaiman book?
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: book trailers, children's literature book club selection, coming of age, E-H Author, E-H Title, fantasy, Newbery, published 2008, videos
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I loved The Graveyard Book and his blog always makes me smile. My favourite book of his is Stardust. Also loved Coraline and can’t wait to see the film!
on February 13th, 2009 at 1:47 amI haven’t read any others by Gaiman, but am in the middle of reading this one to my kids. The whole idea creeped me out at first, but the kids love it. For them, the creepier and the stranger, the better!
on February 13th, 2009 at 3:02 amI’m a bit touch-and-go with his books to be honest. I’m not the biggest fan of all of them. I really enjoyed Neverwhere, but American Gods was only so-so. I loved Good Omens, his collaboration with Terry Pratchett. I’ve been thinking about this one and looking forward to your review, but it looks like I will have to think a bit more.
on February 13th, 2009 at 3:12 amWell, now that you’ve read one, I guess I’m the only person who hasn’t read a Neil Gaiman book.
on February 13th, 2009 at 6:28 amI read Coraline. But horror is just not my genre, even when written for kids. I have another of his in the house, not sure if I’ll read it or just pass it along to my nephews.
on February 13th, 2009 at 7:19 amI’m in agreement with you on The Graveyard Book. Here’s my review.
http://readywhenyouarecb.blogspot.com/2009/02/graveyard-book-by-neil-gaiman.html
I really want to love his stuff. The people who do seem to be having so much fun. But it’s always left me a bit luke warm.
And is that not the worst cover art you ever saw!?!
on February 13th, 2009 at 7:22 amI’m about 200 pages in and it’s kind of slow going for me too. I’m just so obviously not the target audience.
on February 13th, 2009 at 7:33 amThanks for the review; I don’t feel SO bad now that my book club didn’t pick this one after I suggested it (or any of my other 4 suggestions!), but I will still read it eventually. (Kathy, you’re not the only one!).
on February 13th, 2009 at 7:36 amStardust is the only Gaiman I’ve read. I *really* enjoyed it.
on February 13th, 2009 at 8:12 amMichelle – I do subscribe to his blog. Since he won the Newbery it seems to be mostly linkage, of course, to different articles. He does have a lot of fans.
Sandy – I’m glad the kids like it. I couldn’t believe how dark it opened for a kids book!
Meghan – My husband read one of his books, and I can’t remember which one it was now. He didn’t care for it. So I guess it must be hit and miss with both of us as well.
Kathy – I felt like I was the very last!
CB James – As I was sitting down yesterday to write this review, my husband asked if I was going to talk about the cover art. He would be in complete agreement with you! He said it’s just awful. Too dark, can’t tell what it is, and just plain boring. I like the colors, but yes, could use a new illustration.
Janssen – Good to know I’m not the only one.
Infant Bibliophile – Our children’s literature book club (wait! You could so seriously go to that – I’ll email you) is doing the Newbery’s next month. So we will be discussing this one.
on February 13th, 2009 at 8:14 amI haven’t read anything of his yet either. My kids aren’t old enough for stuff that creepy.
on February 13th, 2009 at 9:11 amHe’s on my list, but my list is pretty long right now…..
The only Neil Gaiman I’ve read is Good Omens, which is really a Gaiman-Terry Pratchett book. I’ve heard a lot about his books, but I’m not much of a horror fan…
on February 13th, 2009 at 10:12 amI’ve read a handful of Gaiman now–Stardust, Coraline, The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere. I’ve also started-and-abandoned American Gods. If I were to make an educated guess, I’d say that you’d probably enjoy Stardust. If it has any dark elements, they’re overshadowed in my mind by the romance and fantasy. Here is how that novel starts off, “There was once a young man who wished to gain his Heart’s Desire. And while that is, as beginnings go, not entirely novel (for every tale about every young man there ever was or will be could start in a similar manner) there was much about this young man and what happened to him that was unusual, although even he never knew the whole of it.”
It is one that had me at hello.
on February 13th, 2009 at 10:16 amI’m with Becky in suggesting Stardust. I’ve read that, Coraline and managed to make it through American Gods (the worst part of the book is the first 50 pages; after that, it’s just odd). But I like Stardust best; it really is a good fairy tale. I’m reading this one next, so I can’t say I’m the only one who hasn’t read it…
on February 13th, 2009 at 11:40 amI have read Coraline and Stardust, and what I liked about them was his writing and originality more than the story. I have such a clear picture in my head of what he’s writing and I like what I see. I’m anxious to get to The Graveyard Book–it’s a bit popular at the library right now, of course!
on February 13th, 2009 at 11:55 amHmm I was saving this one to read with my daughter. Honestly I had no idea what it was even about. I put myself on the waiting list when it won the Newberry and was 43rd on the queue so I didn’t think I’d get it so fast.
Now I’m questioning if I should read it with her or by myself. It seems a bit dark…I’m thinking we might skip the joint effort.
on February 13th, 2009 at 12:26 pmWhat a coincidence since I just picked up my copy from the library yesterday. I’m not going to read you review or the comments till after I read it. I read Stardust and thought it was just ok. But I wanted to give this one a try.
on February 13th, 2009 at 12:48 pmI SO loved this book. My review is here. I agree with you about the illustrations though. They didn’t do a thing for me, and at least one of them was a distraction since it just looked like a blur of ink that I didn’t get.
My favorite Gaiman book, so far, is American Gods (review is still pending). I will be re-reading it someday in the future.
on February 13th, 2009 at 2:52 pmThis is one I want to read. The only other Neil Gaiman book I’ve read is Neverwhere and I enjoyed it!
on February 13th, 2009 at 4:05 pmI agree with Michelle about loving Gaiman’s blog. I think he does a great job of connecting with fans as a real person and not as a “famous author.” And this book really swept me away…I’ve always been fascinated by graveyards.
on February 13th, 2009 at 4:14 pmI just finished Coraline and it was okay, but not as brilliant as I had hoped (though I hear the movie is remarkable). It did inspire me to have a conversation with “button-eyed me” on my blog though, so that was fun.
My favorite Neil Gaiman book is Good Omens (written with Terry Pratchett) that was a fabulous book to read!
on February 13th, 2009 at 4:18 pmI loved the book but like you, did not like the illustrations at all.
Funny, the UK (original) edition has illustrations by Chris Riddell who is an awesome illustrator. I can’t understand why North Americans got short shifted with the change in illustrator.
on February 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pmI didn’t not read much of this book before setting it aside, but I did like Coraline.
on February 13th, 2009 at 7:35 pmI just started this book and was shocked at the beginning, even though I read your review already. I haven’t read the guidelines recently for selection of Newberrys but my recollection was that the book is supposed to be outstanding children’s literature.
To me, that would mean intended for 12 and under. On my blog I started going through each of the Newberrys (slowly…there are a lot of them) and doing little snippets of research. i.e. how many pages, subject, age group. I’ve been getting my information from a lot of diffferent sources, but I am surprised at how many books so far sites like amazon have listed as Young Adult.
I’m giving this book the benefit of the doubt and I am going to read the whole thing before deciding how I feel.
on February 13th, 2009 at 11:32 pmThis one’s on my to-do list, but I highly recommend people give Gaiman’s graphic novels of The Sandman a look. The series in its entirety is often scary, but truly wonderful.
on February 14th, 2009 at 10:35 amI’m so glad you reviewed this book. I was concerned about how this might affect my kids when they read it at school, but now I realize that it’s for older kids. My kids won’t be reading it for a few years. That makes more sense.
on February 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pmOk I’m on page 76 of this book and I still dont like it. Not my genre either. Becky @ Becky’s books reviews says I have the right to stop a book after 50 pages and I am going to exercise that right.
on February 14th, 2009 at 4:06 pmThis one is on my TBR list. I have read mix reviews on this book so I am very hesitant. Thanks for your perspective…
on February 14th, 2009 at 7:57 pmDid you know that he has videos of him on tour reading the entire thing? It made me appreciate the story even more. I seriously loved this book, I even cried a little at the end. I haven’t read many other Gaiman books; only American Gods and Anansi’s Boys, but this is still my favorite (going to see if Coraline will change that sometime soon).
on February 16th, 2009 at 6:36 pmI loved this one. I am a fan of Neil Gaiman already, and this book was just great in my opinion. I’m so excited that it won the Newbery! I got to hear Neil read a chapter from the book, and he does have a great reading voice. Glad you did enjoy it, even if the genre is not your usual thing.
on February 16th, 2009 at 7:41 pm[...] agree with those (like Natasha, most recently) who don’t like the cover or the illustrations. I’m not sure they added [...]
on February 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am[...] agree with those (like Natasha, most recently) who don’t like the cover or the illustrations. I’m not sure they added [...]
on February 17th, 2009 at 7:56 amI’ve heard so much praise for this one that I’m glad to see a grounded review. I have mixed feelings about Gaiman. In the past year I’ve read a handful of his books and I enjoy them but don’t see what all the fuss is about.
on February 17th, 2009 at 8:19 amI think I’m going to have to read it. I’ve heard it compared to The Jungle Book, which is a 2-year-old raised by Jungle animals. but it sounds much much darker. I was going to read it because of the Newbery, but now I think I want to read it regardless. Thanks for the review.
on February 19th, 2009 at 4:02 pmHas anyone noticed that the gravestone’s negative image in the blue is a face of a boy. I was staring at my copy this morning when i just woke up and wasn’t quite awake and I saw it.
Maybe I’m just slow and everyone knows about this.
on February 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm[...] The Graveyard Book was reviewed at Maw Books Blog [...]
on February 28th, 2009 at 11:03 amI just finished this one. First off, I listened to it. Neil Gaiman did the narration and he has a wonderful reading voice. Maybe that made it more enjoyable for me. I didn’t know about the illustrations until I finally got the book from the library when I was nearing the end of the audio. I liked the illustrations for the most part except the people’s faces (mostly the eyes). Everyone looked so skeletal. Is that supposed to be a nod towards the whole graveyard theme? I didn’t really find the ghosts in the graveyard too scary. The Jacks of all Trades were a bit scary, and the ghouls were downright creepy.
on June 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm[...] thrilled to give away a signed copy of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (check out my book review), 2009’s Newbery Award winner and all around massively popular book by a massively popular [...]
on August 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm