Remember when I was complaining about vampire and werewolf fatigue? Well, the little buggers are everywhere and caught me unaware in The Graveyard Book. Still, I don’t regret it. Unlike other supernatural novels I’ve read recently, and even thought this is somewhere between children’s and YA, it had some seriously creepy moments. The scene of Bod is in his cradle listening to Jack going through the house gave me goose-bumps.
I’m probably one of the only fantasy fans out there who has never read The Graveyard Book, so I’ll just say that it’s about a 2-year-old orphan boy who’s adopted by the ghosts and other creatures of an old graveyard. The story has just the right amount of the eerie, the funny, the touching and the adventurous. To pack so much is such a small book and at the same time make it so unpretentious (almost modest) says a lot about Gaiman’s abilities.
It also achieves that most elusive goal of being a children’s book with a moral that’s not force-fed down our throats.
It’s not exactly a coming of age book, but every chapter works like an episode of Bod’s life that will mold him into what he’ll become. It left me with the same bitter-sweet feeling I get with stories about kids making their way into the world and parents coming to terms with it, hoping the tools they gave them will be enough.
Dear Mr. Gaiman, can we have a book just about Bod’s guardian, Silas?
This was only my second Gaiman, and the first one written by him alone. What should I go for next? American Gods? Anansi Boys?
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July 27, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Brenna
I’d go with American Gods next. Of the Gaimen I have read, it’s my favorite.
July 27, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Scribacchina
This is probably the one Gaiman I am still looking forward to. For me, I always suggest Neverwhere, but then again, that was my first Gaiman, and it was love at first sight. Go for Anansi Boys if you want a laugh. American Gods… I still have to understand it, so I’ll be looking forward for your comments.
Whatever you choose, it’s Gaiman, so it will be good!
July 27, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Steph
I read this on the way home from Savannah on my honeymoon. It was the perfect book to be read aloud in the car, and it definitely helped us eat up the miles on that eight-hour car journey. I did think it felt a bit derivative (so many Harry Potter parallels!) and was predictable at time, but it was still really enjoyable and I totally teared up at the ending. I think it would make a great film one day à la Coraline!
Haven’t read any other Gaiman except for Stardust which I really did not like (but I also hated the movie), so I’m no help on the recommendation front, but I will say that I am probably going to try American Gods soon! Maybe we should do a joint read!
July 27, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Melissa
I’m a big fan of Gaiman, so I’m glad you liked this one. For your next pick Stardust is hilarious (a lot like The Princess Bride), American Gods is epic, but it’s a heavy read, so maybe wait until you’ve gotten deeper into the Gaiman world. Anansi Boys is really fun and is a perfect audiobook. Coraline is a good creepy book that straddles that YA/adult line. Neverwhere is another fun one, a different world under the streets of London, good stuff. I hope that helps!
July 27, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Teresa
Not Anansi Boys, it´s probably my least favorite Gaiman. Stardust is cute, but maybe a bit coy. American Gods then i guess. what was your first Gaiman?
BTW the Gaiman you really really should read is sandman – keeping in mind the first TPB is not typical and has some teething problems. But you can go straight to Doll´s House.
And two of his short stories I love: A Study in Emerald – which is a sherlock holmes fanfic! and fanfic of something else at the same time but oh so fresh I loved it – it was available free online a while ago, when it was nominated for something. And Murder Mistery, a short story with a graphic novel adaptation (both awesome)
July 27, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Kailana
They are EVERYWHERE! I totally agree… This was a great book, though!
July 28, 2011 at 9:26 am
bristolbookworm
If you know London, read Neverwhere next. If you don’t know London its still good, but it is a long joke about the namings and geography of London as well as a fantasy story.
Other than that, American Gods is brilliant, or look at his short story collections.
July 28, 2011 at 11:04 am
Mrs.B.
This sounds like a good place to start with Gaiman. Do you think it’s suitable for an almost 6-year-old boy?
July 28, 2011 at 11:13 am
Joanna
Read American Gods, it’s fantastic!
And I’d like a book about Silas too…
July 29, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Larissa
I read this very recently too
For your next Gaiman, I’d go for either American Gods or Neverwhere. They both are great, and Mr Gaiman is a genius.
I agree with Teresa that The Sandman is wonderful, if you like graphic novels.
And I also agree with Joanna and you: if there’d be a book about Silas, I’d get it in a second…
August 4, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Amy
Good Omens (written with Terry Pratchett) is my favorite but Anansi Boys was good too. Stardust is all right but not a favorite. I still need to pick up a copy of American Gods. I also second the vote for The Sandman series.
August 14, 2011 at 9:01 pm
anothercookiecrumbles
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages, but every time I go to pick it up, something else catches my eye. I finally picked up Gaiman’s American Gods (my first Gaiman was Coraline), and I intend to read that soon.
This sounds fantastic though, and I wish it was the Gaiman sitting on my shelf.
September 13, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Alex
@Brenna: I’ve heard that AG is also very good in audiobook format!
@Scribacchina: I like the idea of Stardust, but I fear I have some prejudice against it after seeing the movie…
@Steph: Yes, i was also wondering why it’s not a movie yet. i don’t think it will take long. So great that you have a cool memory like taht associated to this book
@Melissa: *Alex scribbles notes* Thanks Melissa!
@Teresa: My first was Good Omens. Sandman is a good idea, I’ve heard great things about it, and they look so good when I browse them in bookshop.
@Kailana: I’m afraid that I’m reading another vampire book: A Discovery of Witches. So much for determination!
@bristolbookworm: Never heard about his short-stories. Will take a look, thanks!
@Mrs. B: Not really, too young, I think. Maybe at around 10?
@Joanna: Another vote for AG! Do you have it? Can I borrow it?
@Larissa: Isn’t it so strange that most people only mention a hand-full of books? i thought he had more, but maybe not… need to Google him.
@Amy: I really liked Good Omens (my first Gaiman AND Pratchett). AG seems to take the lead!
@anothercookiecrumbles: Maybe we can time a reading of AG?