The Graveyard Book is a deliciously creepy tale of a young boy who is raised in a graveyard by the dead. Nobody Owens ran to the graveyard when he was a baby after his parents and older sibling had been murdered. When the ghosts of the Owens family - a nice family who had always wanted children - saw him, they decided to keep him immediately. And thus, the graveyard became the baby's home, and Nobody became his name.
I've only ever read Stardust by Neil Gaiman before, but I think I'm starting to understand his style: a little bit of creepy, a little bit of action and a whole lot of magic. There are ghosts and ghouls abound in this book, as well as secret orders, and ancient tomb, a spirit animal - or what I think is a spirit animal, anyway - and a man who is both dead and alive. Nobody can "fade" himself and haunt a person and uses these tricks to his advantage to get out of some sticky situations, as well as for dealing justice at his school when needed.
I listened to the audiobook version of this, which was narrated by Neil Gaiman himself, and wow... I really recommend it. I'm in the car for three hours a day because of my job and my transit to school and this really added a nice little kick to my day. Even the kids I watch liked it and kept asking questions about it! Gaiman has a very versatile voice and can do heaps of different character voices, which always made me laugh. He also has a very soothing voice, so be careful lest he lull you to sleep like he did to me once.
This book is magic. Gaiman himself is probably magic. Highly recommended in whatever format you choose
I hate to admit it.. but I have yet to read a Neil Gaiman book. I know.. I've apparently been living under a rock, but really.. I own two copies of this book and cannot find the time to read it! lol So glad you enjoyed it, and I am definitely going to finally get around to reading this one, thanks to your awesome review! (:
ReplyDeleteHaha, well, this one and STARDUST are both pretty short and awesome (in my opinion), so if you do get around to him soon, I'll be looking forward to your thoughts! :)
DeleteI read this book ages and ages ago, but I do vaguely remember enjoying it. I haven't read another Gaiman book since, but after hearing everyone rave and seeing you call him and his book "magic," I want to. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one - maybe I'll have to re-read one of these days. :)
ReplyDeleteYou could re-read this one, or try STARDUST if you want. It has the same magic - although it's more in-your-face-magical - feel as this and also very short. :)
DeleteI started this one but I kinda forgot about it ».« hahaha The first pages had a creepy atmosphere yeah so you're probably right. Glad you enjoyed so much!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL XD I do that with a lot of books so no worries. If you ever pick this one back up, I hope it goes better for you! :)
DeleteThe only thing I've read by Gaiman was Stardust million and millions years ago (before the movie came out) and I didn't enjoy it a lot maybe because I had a different idea of what the book was going to be like (I actually like the movie better and that's weird LOL). The Graveyard Book has been on my wishlist for a long time but I always end up buying other stuff, maybe is time to give it a go =)
ReplyDeleteLol, I like some movies better than books, too (like The Fault in Our Stars) so I feel ya! I really loved Stardust so I am going to... hesitantly recommend you The Graveyard Boy, lol. I will take no responsibility if you don't like it and all the credit if you do, of course. ;)
DeleteI admit, I'm a Gaiman virgin. I actually borrowed this one from the library, hoping to get to it, but I never did. I hear it's being made into a movie soon, too? I guess that's just one more book to add to the growing pile I need to read before the movie comes out! Lol. Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com/
Is this going to be made a movie? -gets excited- Oooh, I hope so. It'll make a really cute one!
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book! I really like Gaiman's writing style. I haven't read many of his books, I've read Coraline ages ago (I was 10) and I'm currently reading Anansi Boys but I think he's a really good writer. I like how he's always able to introduce a little bit of fantasy into his book without making it generic (I don't know if I make sense, lol).
ReplyDeleteI really like his writing style, too, although I've only read The Graveyard Book and Stardust. Anansi Boys is one I've been meaning to get to, so I hope you enjoy it. :)
DeleteHaha, in my opinion, you're definitely missing out! ;) I totally love Gaiman and I hope you do, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have never read any Neil Gaiman books, but I will have to try one! I have seen quite a lot of positive reviews for this, so I might try it first. Thanks for sharing this review! I never even read Coraline :(
ReplyDeletehttp://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/10/sisterhood-of-world-tag.html