Neil Gaiman is quickly becoming one of my favorite modern authors. I loved The Graveyard Book; And while Coraline is a smaller idea, it's as enjoyable a read as you could wish for. I can only hope that Gaiman's adult novels bring me as much joy as his children's literature has.
Coraline is clearly influenced by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, with an emphasis placed on the creepy instead of the trippy - about what you'd expect from the author. The story is tightly woven around a small set of characters and locations, and moves quickly with plenty of suspense. Gaiman's descriptive and imaginative writing really shines here, delivering some memorable scenes for the reader.
It's very easy to blaze through this little page turner. Coraline has a sneaky amount of debt though, as the author puts the finishing touches on the morals of story right at the end. Exceptional book. Spend a day or two with it the next time life loses a bit of it's lustre.
Many great writers have just one, surpassing masterpiece to write. Time will tell what other novels will come from David Wroblewski's pen, but he already has his surpassing masterpiece. Quite a debut for a first time author.
The big idea that drives the story is the Sawtelle line of dogs, bred by several generations of Edgar's family. The dogs aren't raised with an eye towards money or breed purity, or even any tangible thing, but rather with the ideal of character, intelligence, and how the bloodlines interact over the course of decades. Even if you've never owned a dog in your life, you'll still be sucked into the author's account and the different dogs that play key roles in the story. This was an excellent idea for a book, but what makes it really shine is the amazing quality of everything around it. I can't imagine how Wroblewski could have written a better story around his idea.
The mute protagonist, Edgar Sawtelle, is one of the best characters that I've had the pleasure of observing in any work of fiction. The book is divided into distinct sections of his life, ups and downs, and you'll be completely pulled into the story by the time the final act starts. Wroblewski does a masterful job of building a sense of mysticism, especially in the opening stages - the reader feels that there's more to the world than what they see.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a retelling of another famous work. I won't tell you what it is, because it diminishes the surprise of some early events. But once you figure it out you'll know about what you're in for. Almost, anyway, because the author keeps you guessing, wondering, and hoping throughout the story. The closing chapters are some of the most affecting that I've ever read, and I won't ever forget the experience.
Amazon had Neil Gaiman's latest work listed in the graphic novel category, so I bought it thinking it was a comic book. Silly me. Gaiman is a gifted storyteller through both novels and comics, but The Graveyard Book falls under the former category. All's well that ends well, though, because Gaiman's latest foray into young adult literature is both a unique and highly enjoyable read. A dozen or so pages of illustrations by Dave McKean help establish mood.
In this new take on Kipling's excellent Jungle Books, Gaiman swaps animals for ghosts while keeping intact the central theme of a displaced boy growing up and finding his place in the world. Nobody Owens (Bod for short) is taken in and protected by the denizens of a local graveyard after some disturbing events in the outside world. Gaiman moves the work along at a good pace while mixing interesting stories and character development among a diverse cast. Despite being named Nobody the main character isn't one you'll forget.
The Graveyard book is both creepy and dark at times, and the villains might be a bit much for younger readers. But the overall tone falls closer to the many good characters who look out for Nobody Owens. It's a story you can care about and that leaves you with something positive to take with you after you've finished.
