The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
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Book Reviews of The Graveyard Book
Book Review: Richie's Picks: THE GRAVEYARD BOOK
Summary: 5 Stars
"The man Jack paused on the landing. With his left hand he pulled a large white handkerchief from the pocket of his black coat, and with it he wiped off the knife and his gloved right hand which had been holding it; then he put the handkerchief away. The hunt was almost over, He had left the woman in her bed, the man on the bedroom floor, the older child in her brightly colored bedroom, surrounded by toys and half-finished models. That only left the little one, a baby barely a toddler, to take care of. One more and his task would be done."
But it is an unusually adventuresome toddler who, having been awakened by the noise downstairs and seeking release from the boredom of cribdom, has already succeeded in escaping both his crib and the house (through the door that the man Jack has left slightly ajar). Toddling up the hill through the thinning fog, the toddler squeezes between iron bars into an old graveyard. And even though the man Jack tracks the toddler to the graveyard, the killer fails in his final task due to the intervention of the ethereal inhabitants of the graveyard. Led by the Owens couple (who have been married in life and death for more than 250 years), those who call this place home decide to become protectors, teachers, friends, and surrogate parents to the child, and to provide him the "Freedom of the Graveyard." "'It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will,' said Silas, 'take a graveyard.'"
These good-hearted souls also decide to name him Nobody Owens, Bod for short.
"Rattle his bones
Over the stones
It's only a pauper
Who nobody owns" (epigraph)
Considering that our introduction to the toddler includes details of his resourcefully pulling a teddy bear into the corner of the crib in order to scale its high sides, his experiencing a fortuitously soft landing upon falling to the floor, and his skillfully navigating the stairs on his way out of the house, it is not surprising to see Bod grow into a bright and equally adventurous little kid who never hesitates to venture wherever he feels inclined to do so -- and is all too successful in achieving his desires. Fortunately, he has the support system of the many graveyard inhabitants so that he repeatedly experiences relatively soft landings.
"He decided not to tell anyone what he was planning, on the not entirely unreasonable basis that they would have told him not to do it."
But which will be the more dangerous expeditions for Bod? Those that take him from the sanctuary of the graveyard to hellish places where no living human has gone before, or those that take him from the graveyard into the world of living humans?
And what of the man Jack who continues to seek his prey?
Being that THE GRAVEYARD BOOK has been available for months, that Neil Gaiman has done a world tour promoting the book (Check him out on Youtube.), that the book has spent months on the NYT Bestseller List, and that there are scores of online discussions regarding the book's many allusions and references, there might well seem little need for my rhapsodizing about it.
But I cannot help myself. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK is just too sweet and exciting a read for me to keep quiet about. The day I spent reading it (I ate it all in one sitting.) has been a highlight of my holidays. And when my spring Nubian goat kids are born, I will be naming the firstborn male after Nobody Owens.
What makes it so great?
Once again, as with my favorite fantasy characters from years past, a young hero filled with goodness who cares about his relationships, uses his knowledge and gifts to battle evil and stand up for the little guy rather than for the sake of gaining power. The graveyard makes for a unique setting. The cast of quirky dead (and undead) characters who raise the child are funny and charming. There is a wealth of danger and adventure and humor.
"It was like every dream of falling he had ever had, a scared and frantic drop through space, as he headed towards the ground below. Bod felt as though his mind was only big enough for one huge thought, so, That big dog was actually Miss Lupescu, and, I'm going to hit the rock floor and splat, competed in his head for occupation."
Book Review: 'One to leave and one to stay, and all to dance the Macabray..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Neil Gaiman seems to have cornered the market on smart, creepy children's literature, and the Graveyard Book does not disappoint (in fact, it's better than Coraline).
An elaborate retooling of the Jungle Book, the Graveyard Book is the story of Nobody Owens, Bod for short. Bod is just like any other boy, except that he lives in a graveyard, and in this cemetery, the ghosts aren't the ones to be afraid of. See, when he was very young, his real family was viciously murdered for no apparent reason. The curious young Bod managed to escape the killer, for the moment at least, and ended up in the graveyard at the top of the hill, where a bone yard full of friendly ghosts hid and protected him. Two of them take it upon themselves to raise him as their own. But, as the dour, mysterious Silas points out, `it is going to take more than a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will take a graveyard.' And so it does; as Bod grows from an inquisitive child who mostly does what he's told, to a quiet, intelligent fourteen-year-old, he learns, both from his ghostly, and otherworldly, teachers and from the occasional living people he comes across, including his friend Scarlett. As he grows, he gradually learns more about his past, and the mysterious Jack, the man responsible for his family's murder, and eventually must confront him.
Gaiman's Tim Burton-like sensibilities are less pronounced in this book than in Coraline, and yet somehow this seems far more adult than Coraline was. The images Gaiman conjures are far subtler, and yet in some ways creepier. The Sleer is chilling, even though it remains formless until the last couple of chapters, and Bod's ill-advised trip through the Ghoul-gate is bizarrely-funny and frightening at the same time. And the Danse Macabre scene is wonderfully inventive and strange. In the Jacks, he created worthy and appropriately-despicable villains, and Silas makes for a fascinating guardian for young Bod (though the `V' word is never used, he sleeps in a steamer trunk, is very old, only comes out at night, doesn't eat human food, and tells Bod on multiple occasions that he is neither living nor dead). The graveyard's inhabitants are varied and fascinating; from the kindly Mr. and Mrs. Owens, who serve as Bod's parents, to the Bartleby family, whose many children are Bod's playmates when he is young. Nehemiah Trot, the hapless ghost poet (whose idea of revenge is refusing to publish any of his new work until the world, or at least its population of Irish layabouts, has learned to appreciate him as an artist) is hilarious.
Perhaps the subject matter is a bit heavy, but most fairy tales have always had this gruesome element to them, and if those who insist this isn't the stuff of children's stories still aren't convinced, might I remind you of the age classification? This is a book for 9-12 year-olds. If you're nine-year-old can't handle a few creepy images, don't let them read it, or wait until they're a bit older.
For those kids who like their entertainment a little scary and a lot strange, the Graveyard Book is an excellent read. For all of Gaiman's twisted sensibilities (who else reads the Jungle Book and thinks, `well, that was brilliant, but it would be really interesting if it was in a graveyard and all the people raising him were dead!'?), it's a coming-of-age story, about growing up, learning to face your demons, and finding the courage to strike out on your own. A great book for kids of all ages (and real `grown-ups', too).
Book Review: A wonderful, nuanced work
Summary: 5 Stars
The Graveyard Book is my first Neil Gaiman book, and I'm definitely planning on reading more. I'd heard a lot of praise of this book, but it still didn't prepare me for the elegance of his style.
Though I liked the drawings, the real charm of this book is the writing. Gaiman has woven a really beautiful coming-of-age tale in which Nobody Owens, the main character, learns some harsh lessons about the nature of life and love. As most people are probably aware by now, there is some violence in the book and it may not be for the younger audience. However, I am not one of those parents who thinks that children need to be protected from everything scary in life. In fact, I'm willing to wager that the average Wii game has more graphic violence than what is portrayed in this book. Some of it is quite scary, that is true, but children need to learn how to control fear and how to recognize when fear is real and important and when it's something they just need to overlook.
One of the things I liked best about the book is that Gaiman never really comes out and tells the reader exactly what the other characters are, leaving you to piece together the clues he drops and figure this out for yourself. This is particularly true of Silas, and I was probably around a third of the way into the book before I realized what his character was. I really admire this as it demands that the reader pay attention to what he or she is reading. It's also a perfect example of an author showing rather than telling. Lastly, it lends to the idea of the book that what people are on the outside isn't really as important on the inside. Is it really that vital that the reader know what Silas is, or is it more significant that the reader sees just how Silas helps Bod learn and grow, and how seriously Silas takes his role as guardian and protector of Bod.
As for Bod, I found him to be an excellent character. He is a very typical boy, with a boy's characteristic curiosity. He occasionally acts out of sheer pettiness and must suffer the consequences. Through Bod, Gaiman also teaches children some important lessons. Sometimes, even though we do what is right, it does not earn us the admiration of those about whose opinions we care the most. This is a painful lesson, but a very valuable lesson--especially in a society such as ours, that emphasizes instant gratification. Bod is a very moral character, but the things he does don't always end well for him and sometimes cause him more trouble than anticipated. Isn't this true of life in general? Sometimes our actions do set many unintended consequences into motion.
Another strong aspect of the book is the unconventional relationships within it. While they are certainly fantastical, this book has a lot to say about the true meaning of the word "family", and how families can form amongst the unlikeliest groups of people. As The Graveyard Book shows, families take responsibility for one another, and care for one another without asking for something in return. Just as his guardian does, Bod learns that he ultimately must make sacrifices for his family, that he must place their needs above those of his own at times. It is a responsibility that he does not shirk, and I think that's an excellent message for anyone.
I highly recommend this book. It is a subtle, sometimes funny, and sometimes sad read. It is a book that will make children think, just as all great literature makes a reader think.
Book Review: My New Favorite Gaiman Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the fourth book by Neil Gaiman I've read and it may be my favorite thus far. Gaiman draws his inspiration from Rudyard Kipling's classic Jungle Book (the literary version not the Disney movie). In this case Shere Khan is replaced by the man Jack and this story's Mowgli is a child named Nobody (Bod) Owens. Rather then ending up in a jungle, raised by animals, the toddler finds himself alone in a graveyard, his parents and older sister having just been brutally murdered. When the killer (Jack) comes to finish the job he finds that the toddler isn't the only thing in the graveyard. With some gentle graveyard magic Jack is sent away in a state of confusion leaving the young boy alone except for the spirits who adopt him to be raised in the safety of the graveyard. Unlike Mowgli who was trained in the ways of the jungle, Bod is taught the ways of the deceased including fading from sight, seeing in the dark and entering dreams. As with Shere Khan the man Jack remains in the shadows waiting patiently through the years to finish the job he started.
I've read books with great concepts and lousy execution and some with bland concepts but great execution but the Graveyard Book manages both. I found the idea of having a living child raised in the ways of the spirit world to be absolutely inspired. As a writer Gaiman has two things really working in his favor. First, he is an extremely talented storyteller who writes tales that are always a pleasure to read even when the subject matter turns dark. Second, Gaiman's stories are always unpredictable and the twists and turns almost always work to weave a superior narrative. Writers who avoid well worn paths run a higher risk of failure but the rewards can likewise be greater. I love how Gaiman writes fantasy stories that are so close to home that it almost feels like it's possible. It doesn't feel at all absurd that a child could be raised to young adulthood by spirits in a graveyard..
If I had any issue with the book it would be that Gaiman doesn't write at all a believable 5 year old. Scripting the dialogue of a child is always difficult and most writers end up having them speak in broken English that just sounds dimwitted, Gaiman goes the opposite route making Bod quite a bit more sophisticated than any 5 year old I've ever known. Gaiman may have also perhaps over explained things at the end of the book. Sometimes the mystery is more enjoyable than the explanation. These are, however, small quibbles with a near flawless story. Despite the possible over explaining Gaiman tends to be a strong finisher and this book is no exception. Nothing kills a book deader than a bad ending and Gaiman is very reliable in rewarding the reader for taking the time to read his works.
The Graveyard Book can be plowed through fairly quickly and given that it's listed as appropriate for children from 5th to 8th grade it lacks any profanity or mature content but that in no way makes it a poor read for adults. This is the kind of book that would appeal to readers of pretty much any age or gender. Gaiman has had two books so far produced into movies. I haven't read or seen Coraline but I watched and read Stardust and in my opinion this book is better written and would likely work better as a screenplay. I highly recommend picking this one up. I would also recommend Kipling's Jungle Book as a companion piece to The Graveyard Book. I managed to get both Jungle Books combined for five dollars.
Book Review: near-perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book" is a near-perfect gem of writing. Ignore the YA label slapped on this one if that gives you pause. Though that will be easy to do with a book that opens with a hand in the darkness holding a knife wet with the blood of almost an entire family: father, mother, and older child. The knife lacks only the blood of the toddler son to finish its job. Luckily for the boy, and the reader, the toddler escapes into a nearby cemetery where a mothering ghost convinces the cemetery community to protect him, thus setting the premise for the novel. Another reason to ignore the YA label, or better yet, to revel in it, is that I've often found that Gaiman's YA-listed material is stronger than his "older reader" work: tighter, more focused, more intense all around and all that is true here. Its clarity and brevity, often seen as constraints in the category, here only enhance the book's impact.
Chapter One sets the premise, introduces the boy (Nobody), the murderer (Jack), Mrs. and Mr. Owens (Nobody's new parents), Silas (a non-ghost resident of the graveyard who becomes Nobody's guardian), and several of the 300 other ghosts. Chapter Two introduces a young girl (living) named Scarlett who becomes Nobody's playmate for a while (her parents think he's an imaginary friend) and Chapter 3 finds Bod (his nickname) meeting a tutor/guardian named Miss Lupescu whom Silas arranges for when he can't be around. Both Scarlett and Miss Lupescu will play major roles.
This somewhat sets the pattern for the book as whole, which is episodic in nature: we get a discrete chapter, an adventure in the cemetery (Bod is forbidden from leaving for fear someone still wants him dead) where Bod meets a new ghostly denizen, some resolution to whatever issue forms the crux of the chapter, then we jump ahead a few years for the next chapter.
The story is compelling and scary/tense at the start, mellows and becomes charmingly, winsomely captivating as Bod grows up, then turns tensely compelling once again as Bod decides to face his family's murderer, who is creepy enough but has behind him some chilling characters. While some may feel the episodic structure and change in tone/mood detracts somewhat, I'd say the loss of intense plot momentum is more than compensated for by the sheer delight of those middle chapters, thanks to their sharp, efficient characterization; the way they subtly nudge Bod closer to adulthood, and the way his relationships with a few of the cemetery residents deepen over time. The dead in Gaiman's book are more alive than many a living character I've read.
Bod's progress toward maturity is not smooth and relentless--he makes more than his share of mistakes, flashes lots of immaturity, brings inadvertent harm to those who love him. In short, he's as real a child as one could ask for. But, like all children he eventually will have to do so on his own, will have to leave the nest, will have to face his own troubles. This is part of the book's brutal honesty (consider the line "death is the great democracy" and ask yourself whether most authors would be so blunt with children) and thus its movement is inevitably bittersweet, made more so by the losses Bod (and the reader) suffers.
The Graveyard Book, as mentioned, is a gem--small, precise, beautiful, a bit otherworldly, reflective, and like some gems, sharp enough to cut yourself on in places. Highly recommended.