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The Ocean at the End of the Lane
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It is the first book I read by Neil Gaiman but I am sure it will not be the last. It is creepy and beautiful and hopeful and melancholic.
It is a book about the innocence and helplessness of childhood, about memories and also about so much more as it contains a lot of universal truths so beautifully written.
It is an adult story even if most of it is narrated through the eyes of a seven years old boy. I loved the definition of adults from the book:
Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. Truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world.
The book is also a horror novel, with monsters, terror, pain and suffering that seems too much for a child. However, in the real world you find monsters everywhere and we need to learn how to deal with them from early age.
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are things people are scared of. Some of them are things that look like things people used to be scared of a long time ago. Sometime monsters are things people should be scared of, but they aren't.
I could probably cite from this book forever but I will stop now. I recommend it to everyone that was once a child.
It is a book about the innocence and helplessness of childhood, about memories and also about so much more as it contains a lot of universal truths so beautifully written.
It is an adult story even if most of it is narrated through the eyes of a seven years old boy. I loved the definition of adults from the book:
Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. Truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world.
The book is also a horror novel, with monsters, terror, pain and suffering that seems too much for a child. However, in the real world you find monsters everywhere and we need to learn how to deal with them from early age.
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are things people are scared of. Some of them are things that look like things people used to be scared of a long time ago. Sometime monsters are things people should be scared of, but they aren't.
I could probably cite from this book forever but I will stop now. I recommend it to everyone that was once a child.
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Reading Progress
December 10, 2014
–
Started Reading
December 10, 2014
– Shelved
December 14, 2014
–
0.0%
"Monsters come in all shapes an sizes. Some of them are things people are scared of. Some of them are things that look like things people used to be scared a long time ago. Sometimes monsters are things people should be scared of , but they aren't"
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0
December 14, 2014
–
Finished Reading
October 7, 2016
– Shelved as:
fantasy-sf
Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)
message 1:
by
Noel
(new)
Aug 21, 2016 04:34AM
I've been wanting to read another Gaiman novel since I finished Coraline a year ago. This one looks really promising.
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Noel wrote: "I've been wanting to read another Gaiman novel since I finished Coraline a year ago. This one looks really promising."I recommend it. It stay in you mind. I am reading American Gods right now but I enjoyed this one better.
I love this review, Adina. Thank you for the likes! It's very much appreciated! : )
Kevin wrote: "I love this review, Adina. Thank you for the likes! It's very much appreciated! : )" Thank you also.
Glad you liked it.This was my first Gaiman too.Found it gripping though fantasy is not a genre I frequent.
Adina wrote: "I am reading American Gods, right now but I enjoyed this one better."IMHO, American Gods needs much more of a commitment to finish it. I loved it, but mostly in hindsight. This one is a much quicker read, and as such it gives you that feeling of satisfaction much quicker.
Oh and Lettie kicks ass! :P
AM wrote: "Glad you liked it.This was my first Gaiman too.Found it gripping though fantasy is not a genre I frequent." Happy you liked it. I think Gaiman is more than a fantasy writer and can be read by people that do not normally read Fantasy.
Ms. Smartarse wrote: "Adina wrote: "I am reading American Gods, right now but I enjoyed this one better."IMHO, American Gods needs much more of a commitment to finish it. I loved it, but mostly in hindsight. This one ..." Yes, it took me a while to finish American Gods. While I was reading I kind of wanted to be done with it. This one was beautiful and the right size.
Nice review. When I read this book, I found myself feeling some of what I felt when I was young and encountering various fantasy stories for the first time.
Thank you. i wish i red more fantasy when I was young. I am recovering the time now :))
Lovely review :) this one has been in my Kindle folder named "READ IT ALREADY" for a while now :D I don't think my system is working :D
You might wanna give Good Omens a try as well. :-)
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: "Lovely review :) this one has been in my Kindle folder named "READ IT ALREADY" for a while now :D I don't think my system is working :D" :)) i guess not. I have the next 5 and shortlist folder and I change their content all the time, mainly with newly bought books. I need to do something about this.
Alexandra wrote: "You might wanna give Good Omens a try as well. :-)" I will. Right after the other 4 or 5 Neil Gaimans that i already bought :))
I know right. I saw this girl today who made a TBR game, one of those "make a list, cut it into pieces, drop it into a jar" things, where you have to pull out your next read. Maybe that is the way for us? :D
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: "I know right. I saw this girl today who made a TBR game, one of those "make a list, cut it into pieces, drop it into a jar" things, where you have to pull out your next read. Maybe that is the way ..." i don't think it will work for me. I put myself in a reading slump for forcing myself to read 2 books I was not in the mood for. So, if i don't feel like reading the book that I extract from the bowl it might do more damage than good.
Yeah, I think it wouldn't work for me either :/
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: "I know right. I saw this girl today who made a TBR game, one of those "make a list, cut it into pieces, drop it into a jar" things, where you have to pull out your next read. Maybe that is the way ..."I know that I'd just keep pulling books out of the jar until I found one I wanted to read. I've restricted my reads to physical books that I own (for the most part) and I have a "most want to read" real-world shelf that most of my choices come from.
Another trick I've been doing is downloading cover images of those books and using them as a screensaver, so when I return to my computer (or walk by) I see random book covers from my TBR list. It inspires, so far.
Wow, the covers one is a pretty good idea, actually :) you're right about the motivation part - I have made a list of all my new ARCs and I've noticed it has also quite successfully motivated me into reading them :)
James wrote: "Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: "I know right. I saw this girl today who made a TBR game, one of those "make a list, cut it into pieces, drop it into a jar" things, where you have to pull out your ..." I am too lazy to do the covers screensaver thing :)) I might do another shelf with most want to read but that changes all the time, depending on the reviews I read.
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: "Wow, the covers one is a pretty good idea, actually :) you're right about the motivation part - I have made a list of all my new ARCs and I've noticed it has also quite successfully motivated me in..." My new ARCs throw me into depression every time I look at them. There are only 5 of them (I know others have more) but they still feel too many.
:D I have 11 this month.But I somehow managed to motivate myself into "starting off with a clean slate" (as opposed to the... 70-odd ARCs I have from the past) and it's feeling pretty good so far.
I hope you can motivate yourself too :)
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks wrote: ":D I have 11 this month.But I somehow managed to motivate myself into "starting off with a clean slate" (as opposed to the... 70-odd ARCs I have from the past) and it's feeling pretty good so far...." And I was complaining I have 5 to read until end of July...Seeing others in more dire situation always motivates me :)).
:D well, it's my own fault! :D I'm glad it motivates you then :D
Interesting how we all deal with what we should read next. I do it while I'm still in a current book. So far so good this year.
Sarah wrote: "Interesting how we all deal with what we should read next. I do it while I'm still in a current book. So far so good this year." I also browse for the next book(s) while I am still in other current books (I read 2 or 3 in the same time).
Seemita wrote: "Ah! Lovely review, Adina." Thank you
Adina, fantastic! great review!
da wrote: "Adina, fantastic! great review!" Thank you!
I have only read American Gods by this incredible author and I was already in love with his writing then. Now I am reading Neverwhere and I believe that my next book will be The Ocean at the End of the Lane :)
础驳苍臈 wrote: "I have only read American Gods by this incredible author and I was already in love with his writing then. Now I am reading Neverwhere and I believe that my next book will be The Ocean at the End of..." I have Neverwhere on my Kindle. How do you like it?
Adina wrote: "础驳苍臈 wrote: "I have only read American Gods by this incredible author and I was already in love with his writing then. Now I am reading Neverwhere and I believe that my next book will be The Ocean ..."It is really catchy. It's difficult to stop reading. I really enjoy the portrayal of evil characters! :) I have bough a hard copy of it, it includes illustrations which are very amusing. I think it should be on a shelf of each Gaiman's fan.
Loved the Review. Makes you want to the read the book ASAP. :)
Brilliant review for a brilliant book Adina 馃槑
Sumit wrote: "Loved the Review. Makes you want to the read the book ASAP. :)" I hope you will enjoy it.
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Brilliant review for a brilliant book Adina 馃槑" Thank you, Sandy.
Several years back, at least 10 or 12, I loaned this book to my friend Mike - who became an instant fan. Gaiman somehow manages to be dark, but never drowned by the darkness. A rare feat! What talent.
Fergus wrote: "Several years back, at least 10 or 12, I loaned this book to my friend Mike - who became an instant fan. Gaiman somehow manages to be dark, but never drowned by the darkness. A rare feat! What talent." You are so right about that. I did not think of it. I need to read some more Gaiman with your insight in my mind.
Yes, I loved the description of adults as well. At 74 my friends and I all say the same thing when we pass a mirror, "Who is that?" Because inside we are pretty much as we were as a child.
Carolyn wrote: "Yes, I loved the description of adults as well. At 74 my friends and I all say the same thing when we pass a mirror, "Who is that?" Because inside we are pretty much as we were as a child." I am completely baffled how I became a mother. I still feel too young inside. And now I have two little being dependent on me.
Adina, This review is so awesome... :)
David wrote: "Adina, This review is so awesome... :)" Thank you.
Mai wrote: "This is one of my favorites" mine too.
Wonderful review Adina! 馃檪We all need the child in us...
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review Adina! 馃檪We all need the child in us..." Yes, we do. it also nice to let is come out from time to time.
Great review Adina. It鈥檚 so true, almost the whole book is quotable. I quite enjoyed it
Nura wrote: "Great review Adina. It鈥檚 so true, almost the whole book is quotable. I quite enjoyed it" I like Gaiman鈥檚 writing. Not all but most of them.
I have just stated this I'm so excited!
