Coraline by Neil Gaiman
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Book Reviews of Coraline
Book Review: Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Summary: 5 Stars
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.
The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.
The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.
I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.
I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."
I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.
Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey
Book Review: My daughter loved it!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
My 10 year old daughter is not a big reader and given her age she's in the "between" stage. I read the book first and could not put it down. After I gave it to her, she could not put it down. She likes it so much she shows it to all of her friends. I definitely reccomend this.Book Review: Scary and Twisted
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was probably one of the scariest stories I have ever read. It was creepy in a way that made me remember why I used to be afraid of the dark and of closed doors. As for the writing style, the imagery Neil Gaiman uses in his stories gives just the right amount of flavor and atmosphere to Coraline without over burdening the reader with unnecessary details. Seeing as how frightening this book truly is, I don't recommend this book to young kids. There's no gore in it, that's not why. It's so psychological that it might be scarier to them than if there was actually gore in it. 5/5 stars for Coraline!Book Review: Short, yet seductive.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the first work that I have read from Neil Gaiman, and I am pleasantly entertained. I chose to read this in quick form as I am an animator and most recently saw the "making of" for the film adaptation currently being produced by Laika. I liked the premise of the film and this book certainly did not disappoint. I feel the story is seductive and interesting, yet it seems obvious that the writer has made some concessions regarding character detail and overall exposition to progress the story and keep the pacing. It is a quick read and although a bit derivative (alice in wonderland meets a nightmare before christmas ...a bit of stretch to be sure, but it is closer than you would think.) In the end, aside from some abbreviated portions that sacrifice character motive, I feel that this short book is a good read for most readers who enjoy a bit of whimsy and imagination in their stories. In truth, although I do not have children, I would caution against having younger readers explore this book as the latter chapters introduce somewhat frightening subject matter, including everything from a disembodied hand to an amorphous shape changing creature...Overall, it is a well crafted execution and something to be enjoyed...Book Review: HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL
Summary: 5 Stars
There are comic writers, and good comic writers, and then there are a select few in an elite class who are simply head and shoulders above the rest. They are like LeBron James playing basketball with guys from a YMCA league. One of these is Neil Gaiman, whose beautiful prose never ceases to amaze. Gaiman's 2003 best-selling novel has been adapted into graphic format by artist P. Craig Russell. Harper Collins describes this as a novel for young readers but that sells the book short. This modern fantasy is perfect for all ages...a kind of modern day Alice in Wonderland although much darker in tone.
Coraline (Not Caroline!) has moved into a big house in the country with her parents. The house is shared by elderly, retired actresses Miss Forcible and Miss Spink, who live in the lower flat, and Mr. Bobo, who claims he trains mice, who lives in the upper flat. Coraline is a typical young girl, curious and easily bored. While waiting out a rainy day, she decides to explore the big house and finds a door with a brick wall behind it. He mother explains the house was separated off when it was turned into apartments. But Coraline cannot help but be inquisitive about the mysterious door, especially after it is open when she knows she saw her mother lock it.
One day, with her parents away, Coraline opens the door to find the brick wall gone and another apartment on the other side; an apartment almost like her own and yet subtly different. She steps through to find herself in an alternate world. Here, her parents are attentive to her every need and are not busy with work all the time. But her new mother is not quite like her real mom. Her fingers are longer and bonier, and she has coat buttons where her eyes should be. She wants Coraline to stay with her forever! Coraline retreats back to her apartment only to find her parents missing. Now, she'll have to go back to the other mom and use all of her wits and resources to find her real parents and escape back to her world.
Coraline is a work of dark, and sometimes disturbing beauty. The last third of the book features very intense imagery as Coraline gambles in a game of wits with her otherworldly mother. As Coraline makes progress in their wager, we see the new mom's loving, cheerful guise begin to fade as a darker side manifests itself. Besides her new parents there are twisted versions of the elderly women and Mr. Bobo to contend with although Caroline will find aid from an unexpected source as she uncovers the secrets in the other apartment.
Gaiman crafts a story where a little girl has to find her own identity but also speaks to the idea of family values. We have to sometimes step back from our jobs and everyday stresses to realize what it important to all of us unless we too get caught up in our own dark realities. There is perhaps no better artist suited to tell this story than P. Craig Russell. His fluid, graceful style brings Gaiman's characters to life, often in terrifying fashion. Even with buttons for eyes, Russell captures the malevolence of the new mom.
Harper Collins has been putting out some fantastic graphic novels in the past couple of years and Coraline is the best one yet!