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Matthew's Reviews > The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2020, audio, hoopla, horror, supernatural, young-adult, favorites
Nov 17, 2020
bookshelves: 2020, audio, hoopla, horror, supernatural, young-adult, favorites
5+ Stars
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years without much luck. I could never really put my finger on it except for two things:
- Sometimes it felt like it was being artsy and weird in order to be cool and trendy
- Often the magic and supernatural happenings felt contrived and convenient. Fantasy is made up, but it should not feel like it is made up.
However, I did not encounter that at all with The Graveyard Book. The fantastical story was unique, flowed organically, and was super fun. While it was a bit dark in places, it was not scary - a light-hearted ghost story most of the time. The characters were excellent and I enjoyed my journey with them - I did not want it to end and I hated saying goodbye.
I highly recommend this one and will more than likely be pointing fellow readers to this one if they want to try Gaiman.
So . . . the curse is broken . . . will I have additional success if I try others or do I end my pursuit on top?
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years without much luck. I could never really put my finger on it except for two things:
- Sometimes it felt like it was being artsy and weird in order to be cool and trendy
- Often the magic and supernatural happenings felt contrived and convenient. Fantasy is made up, but it should not feel like it is made up.
However, I did not encounter that at all with The Graveyard Book. The fantastical story was unique, flowed organically, and was super fun. While it was a bit dark in places, it was not scary - a light-hearted ghost story most of the time. The characters were excellent and I enjoyed my journey with them - I did not want it to end and I hated saying goodbye.
I highly recommend this one and will more than likely be pointing fellow readers to this one if they want to try Gaiman.
So . . . the curse is broken . . . will I have additional success if I try others or do I end my pursuit on top?
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Reading Progress
November 14, 2020
–
Started Reading
November 14, 2020
– Shelved
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
audio
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
hoopla
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
horror
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
supernatural
November 16, 2020
–
Finished Reading
November 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
young-adult
November 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
Liane
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 17, 2020 08:00PM
This was my first Gaiman, a lot of years back as a pre-reading exercise for my then-young readers. Have enjoyed a number of his since, though perhaps audiobooks particularly since he usually reads them and his voice works for us. I’m curious which you’ve disliked and will go check that out.
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Haha, yes! I’m a Gaiman acolyte so I can’t really be trusted but that’s awesome that you loved this book. It’s one of my favorites by him. Maybe you should end with a good taste in your mouth. But if you want to try more I would have to recommend Coraline and Neverwhere. I think those along with Graveyard are his best.
Hmm, great review Mathew. I liked equally or better Gaiman's "Neverwnere".
Liane wrote: "This was my first Gaiman, a lot of years back as a pre-reading exercise for my then-young readers. Have enjoyed a number of his since, though perhaps audiobooks particularly since he usually reads ..."The ones I have tried previously are Good Omens, American Gods, and, my least favorite, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
This one and Anansi Boys were the ones that have worked best for me.
Eric wrote: "Haha, yes! I’m a Gaiman acolyte so I can’t really be trusted but that’s awesome that you loved this book. It’s one of my favorites by him. Maybe you should end with a good taste in your mouth. But ..."I have heard good things about Neverwhere from MANY people. So if I don't end here, that is probably my next Gaiman stop.
Saul wrote: "Hmm, great review Mathew. I liked equally or better Gaiman's "Neverwnere"."Thanks, Saul!
Sounds like another vote for me to try Neverwhere! :D
This was my second Gaiman book, and i loved it, i started pretty late with The Ocean at the end of the Lane, which, if you liked this one, you might also enjoy.Happy that you enjoyed it, i love reading your reviews :D
Sophie wrote: "This one and Anansi Boys were the ones that have worked best for me."Interesting . . . I don't think anyone has mentioned Anansi Boys to me before when recommending.
Neo wrote: "This was my second Gaiman book, and i loved it, i started pretty late with The Ocean at the end of the Lane, which, if you liked this one, you might also enjoy.Happy that you enjoyed it, i love reading your reviews :D"
Thank you, Neo! I love to hear that!
Sadly, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was one of his books that I could not stand. I almost DNFed - it was one of the longest short books I ever read! But, seems like I am in the minority on that opinion.
Glad you enjoyed too Matthew!
I recently went on a Gaiman bender and read a huge selection of his books. Some I found to be amazing, others, about average. I do agree that this is one of his better stories and, maybe I'm wrong to say this, but I'm so glad it hasn't been turned into a movie or television series. It's sometimes nice just to read.
Glad you enjoyed this. My favorite Gaiman book! Always enjoy reading your reviews.
Julie wrote: "I love this book!":D I am glad I found a Neil Gaiman book to love, too!
Neverwhere and Good Omens have always been my two favorite Gaiman stories if you're looking to try something else.
I hope you've beaten the curse and am happy that you enjoyed this so much! :)
Carol wrote: "Glad you enjoyed too Matthew!"Me too, Carol, me too! :D
We have similar feelings about Gaiman.
Jennifer wrote: "I recently went on a Gaiman bender and read a huge selection of his books. Some I found to be amazing, others, about average. I do agree that this is one of his better stories and, maybe I'm wrong to say this, but I'm so glad it hasn't been turned into a movie or television series. It's sometimes nice just to read."While I do think this one could possibly make a cool mini-series . . . I agree that maybe it is best left on the page. I guess at least we can ignore it if they make it into a show and we hear it is bad! :)
Karen wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this. My favorite Gaiman book! Always enjoy reading your reviews."Thanks, Karen! I appreciate your kind words!
And, I am glad you like this one, too! :D
Gaiman is hit or miss for me, but this might be my favorite of his.
Chad wrote: "Neverwhere and Good Omens have always been my two favorite Gaiman stories if you're looking to try something else."Another vote for Neverwhere! :)
I have read Good Omens twice . . . the second time hoping for a better result. Felt mediocre to me both times. Pretty sure I am in the minority with those feelings.
You are, if all the others value their lives. *evil grin*The "problem" with GO is that it's a collaboration. Those are usually hit-or-miss.
As for Gaiman's other works, I shall refuse to speak with you. ;P *proudly displays her Gaiman fan badge*
Trish wrote: "As for Gaiman's other works, I shall refuse to speak with you. ;P *proudly displays her Gaiman fan badge*"Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes joking tone comes through the internet this time since it doesn't always*
Matthew wrote: "Trish wrote: "As for Gaiman's other works, I shall refuse to speak with you. ;P *proudly displays her Gaiman fan badge*"Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes joking tone comes..."
Let's talk about this like adults, shall we?
Trish wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Trish wrote: "As for Gaiman's other works, I shall refuse to speak with you. ;P *proudly displays her Gaiman fan badge*"Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes j..."
Beyonce with a ball bat!? Things just got REAL!
glad you liked it. I think this is my favorite so far by him. I have not read many yet.
Carmen wrote: "We have similar feelings about Gaiman."Glad I am not alone, Carmen! :D
Matthew wrote: "Beyonce with a ball bat!? Things just got REAL!"Ayup. >:D
Jamie wrote: "Gaiman is hit or miss for me, but this might be my favorite of his."Sounds like your experiences have been similar to mine - glad we found one we both liked!
I love Neil Gaiman but this is my FAVORITE of his. So glad you enjoyed it!
I loved this and Stardust, really enjoyed Sandman. But many others are just meh.... The Norse one bored me. I’m not sure what it is that doesn’t appeal.
Ricky wrote: "glad you liked it. I think this is my favorite so far by him. I have not read many yet."Which others have you read? This is for sure my favorite of his so far!
Taylor *Sits on the Top Shelf* wrote: "I love Neil Gaiman but this is my FAVORITE of his. So glad you enjoyed it!"The favorite of a Neil Gaiman fan - glad I liked this one then! When I don't like someone's favorite, I feel kinda bad!
Helen wrote: "I loved this and Stardust, really enjoyed Sandman. But many others are just meh.... The Norse one bored me. I’m not sure what it is that doesn’t appeal."I saw the Stardust movie, but never read the book. Norse Mythology did not sound interesting to me.
Matthew wrote: "I saw the Stardust movie, but never read the book. Norse Mythology did not sound interesting to me."The Stardust book is a billion times better with beautiful illustrations from Charles Vess. I actually had a chance to meet Neil Gaiman and get him to autograph my copy of the original issues years ago.
Nice...I've attempted a few of his books, but there's something about his style that doesn't work for me..this one might be worth looking at
I have read Odd and the Frost Giants, and The Ocean at the End of The Lane.
Jonathan wrote: "Nice...I've attempted a few of his books, but there's something about his style that doesn't work for me..this one might be worth looking at"It sounds like you feel the same as I have traditionally felt about Gaiman, so this could be a winner for you! Good luck if you try it!
Maybe I'll have to give this book a go. I have only read one of his books and it was huge miss for me.
Ricky wrote: "I have read Odd and the Frost Giants, and The Ocean at the End of The Lane."I don't know Odd and the Frost Giants, but I am not a fan of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Karen wrote: "Maybe I'll have to give this book a go. I have only read one of his books and it was huge miss for me."Which one was that?
I really enjoyed American Gods and recollect Anansi Boys being very much the same style (of course it is id’d as a sequel, so that would be logical.)
Karen wrote: "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"Okay, well, that was one I really didn't care for, so, if you have the same trends as I do, you will like this one!
Liane wrote: "I really enjoyed American Gods and recollect Anansi Boys being very much the same style (of course it is id’d as a sequel, so that would be logical.)"Oh, Anansi Boys is a sequel to American Gods? I didn't know that.
Matthew, would you say this is tame enough and listening would be appropriate for 4, 7 year old boys? The 7 year old had all Harry Potter books read to him. Another reviewer said his 4 year old listened to this with him and was very entertained.
Forgive me, “sequel� is probably the wrong word. It is labeled as #2 in goodreads and shares same world and some character overlap. I think the feel is similar (which I liked, but you perhaps didn’t with Gaiman). These stories took me down the rabbit hole of novels about native American or other gods
Liane wrote: "Forgive me, “sequel� is probably the wrong word. It is labeled as #2 in goodreads and shares same world and some character overlap. I think the feel is similar (which I liked, but you perhaps didn�..."HA! Nope, Sequel sounds perfect to me! :) Thanks for the extra info/background on Anansi Boys. I did not care much for American Gods, so I am not sure if I will try and book similar to it, but it is good to know!
