The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

[murielm99]

I hope it is all right to post this here.

Of course I picked this up for something to read over Halloween. I had heard nothing but praise for it.

Has anyone read this book? Have you read any of Gaiman's other works, for children or adults? He writes comics and poetry, too.

I read American Gods by the same author. While that was a very good book, this children's book, The Graveyard Book, appealed to me much more strongly. (It was a Newberry winner).

The book is a metaphor for childhood and its various passages to adulthood. It is also inspired by The Jungle Book. The main character is a toddler who grows to adulthood in a graveyard, raised by the dead. He has ghostly parents, teachers, friends, and a mysterious guardian.

Even if you don't usually care for children's books, try this one.

[Orsino]

1. I read the short story in M Is For Magic

"The Witch's headstone" is a basis for, or a prequel to the novel, right? I'm eventually going to have to get The Graveyard Book, as I seem to be a fan of all things Gaiman--even things that aren't Sandman.

[murielm99]

2. The Witch's Headstone, is I believe,

the the basis for one of the chapters in the book. It is the same plot, but changed to fit the ongoing narrative of the novel.

I am going to have to find more Gaiman books. I have brought home some real stinkers lately, fiction so bad I could not get through more than a chapter or two.

[Orsino]

3. Coraline is a great short read.

Much creepier than the movie. I think highly of American Gods, too.

[seemunkee]

4. I've read Coraline, Neverwhere, several of his short stories

and most of the Sandman comics and the early Books of Magic comics.
I could use a short easy read, maybe I'll try The Graveyard book.

[MountainLaurel]

5. Good Omens is one of my favorite books ever

He wrote it with Terry Pratchett, and it's basically a story of what happens when Satanists accidentally give the newborn Antichrist to the wrong parents at the hospital.