New York, William and Morrow (2013)
181 pages
$16.55
Go to Neil Gaiman’s
site
Immediately to see the
him reading
Green Eggs and Ham!
There is still a place where magic and fearsome creatures
exist.
An older man takes a walk at the end of a funeral and begins
to remember events of years ago when as a very young boy, he and his father
happened on a corpse. The series of events that followed had been lost to him
in time. There had been a horrible flapping thing, which formed itself into a
woman in order to take his family, and a dark hole residing in his soul. But
there were good people too, two magical women and a girl who were determined to
save his life.
This is the first time I’ve read Neal Gaiman, The work is
lilting and lovely as well as scary and horrifying – altogether a satisfying
experience .It didn’t pass my test of reading it all the way through. I had to
read the end before I finished, as the words didn’t keep me in the book. Based
on the requests for it at my library and news reports I’d give it a ten in
popularity, and an eight in quality.
I initially thought this was a science fiction novel but found
it much more a fantasy with a touch of magical realism through the boy’s
understanding of the world. Although this book is written for adults I believe
it has an appeal for everyone. It’s just lyrical enough, just scary enough, and
has just the right age to appeal to adults, young adults, and adolescents
although the brief sex scent might make it not appropriate for children.
A few read alike titles might be Fire and Hemlock by Dianna Wynne Jones, Among Others by Jo Walton, both of which feature adults thinking back to
their childhood and overcoming intense events. Another book Over Sea Under Stone by Susan Cooper
features teens but it talks about finding courage from deep within. A fan of
Gaiman’s intense exciting storylines might also like Steven Milhauser and Clive
Barker. Gaiman is an author who writes in several genres, putting him in this
unusual category with Michael Chabon.
The Ocean at the End
of the Lane won the National Book Award.
How would I present a book talk on the The Ocean at the End of the Lane? I’d certainly talk about the
gothic creepiness of the story and the memory of a little boy who was virtually
powerless until he found magic. Magic had a bite though and it gave him a
chance to use his courage to win the battle for his family.
Book Discussion Questions
How is the theme of this book
What roles did the characters play?
How did this book comment on childhood?
Which character was the scariest? Why?
I’d never read Neil Gaiman before, dismissing him as “just”
a science fiction writer. My interest was piqued when he began writing graphic
novels, a form of literature I find fascinating. When I saw that he wrote a
National Book Club winner, I found my choice much easier. I could satisfy my
interest, read a short book in case it was horrible, and finish a book for
class reading. The Ocean at the End of the Lane satisfied on every level and it was a good read!
