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145th out of 599 books
—
692 voters
Coraline
by
Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author),
Dave McKean
"Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house. . . ."
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.
But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Coraline will hav...more
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.
But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Coraline will hav...more
Paperback, 10th Anniversary Edition, 162 pages
Published
April 24th 2012
by HarperCollins
(first published August 4th 2002)
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Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
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3,000)
Apr 04, 2012
Nataliya
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of Gaiman and excellent YA dark fantasy
Coraline is a short but delightfully dark and creepy book that just happens to feature one of my absolute favorite characters.
Is it wrong that I want to be Coraline's best friend???
“Because,' she said, 'when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave.”Coraline is clever, quirky, curious and adventurous, brave and determined, independent, stubborn to no end, a bit reckless and not scared of danger. She will NEVER leave any mysterious doors locked and uninvestigated. In short,...more
............
I saw the film before I read the book, which is not how I like to do things, as it can often be like taping a hockey game and having someone tell you the final score before you've had a chance to see the game for yourself. However, I can say that seeing the film first didn't really spoil the book for me.
Coraline starts off rather slowly but this independent, thoughtful, odd, distant, misunderstood child soon gains the reader's sympathy. This becomes more intense as Coraline gets more deeply enm...more
Coraline starts off rather slowly but this independent, thoughtful, odd, distant, misunderstood child soon gains the reader's sympathy. This becomes more intense as Coraline gets more deeply enm...more
I've been looking for that book that would satisfy my craving to be creeped out, and sadly a few books I tried recently didn't do it for me. I didn't expect anything with this book, and that little shiver down my spine that has been evading me? This book gave it to me!
I was not a huge fan of American Gods, but I promised that I would give Neil Gaiman another shot someday. I figured if I enjoyed anything of his it would be this book. Despite my gripes with American Gods I couldn't deny that I fou...more
This would be a perfect choice for a road trip with small children (maybe age seven and up or so). It’s an incredibly imaginative, quirky adventure that’s simple yet not excruciatingly so. I felt entertained throughout, and some of the dialogue had me laughing out loud. There’s no question that this book is creeeeeepy but I’m one of those people that believes kids can handle a lot more than watered down fluff books. Coraline is such a wonderful heroine: she’s a clever, matter of fact, singular g...more
Jan 21, 2008
Robert Beveridge
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
finished,
cle-pub-lib
Neil Gaiman, Coraline (Harper, 2002)
I'm not exactly sure what to say about this minor gem. It's a kids' book, but not really a kids' book. It's a fantasy/horror novel, but not a fantasy/horror novel. It has minor similarities to about a hundred books to be found over the ages, both children's and adult, but nothing strong enough to be called an influence (at least, not one that wears its heart on its sleeve). About the best thing I can come up with would be a much darker version of Roald Dahl's...more
I'm not exactly sure what to say about this minor gem. It's a kids' book, but not really a kids' book. It's a fantasy/horror novel, but not a fantasy/horror novel. It has minor similarities to about a hundred books to be found over the ages, both children's and adult, but nothing strong enough to be called an influence (at least, not one that wears its heart on its sleeve). About the best thing I can come up with would be a much darker version of Roald Dahl's...more
Following the resounding success of my Locus Quest, I faced a dilemma: which reading list to follow it up with? Variety is the spice of life, so I’ve decided to diversify and pursue six different lists simultaneously. This book falls into my LOCUS Y-A list.
I think I’ll always have a soft-spot for imaginative young-adult speculative fiction and as the good people at Locus did such a grand job with picking their Sci-Fi winners, I’ll trust them to single out some special y-a books too.
When I pulle...more
Jan 29, 2010
Abigail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Young Readers with a Taste for Dark Fantasy
Review Temporarily Removed.
Nov 28, 2008
Heather
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
THE WORLD.
Shelves:
subtle-sci-fi
Creepy, creepy, creepy. This book made me feel like I'd just awoken from a disturbing dream I couldn't shake, but couldn't quite remember, either.
And the movie looks terrifying.
And the movie looks terrifying.
Coraline, by Neil Gaiman, is a delightfully creepy little story. Coraline and her parents live in a house that they share with some delightfully eccentric neighbours. There are the two former actors who like to reminisce about their glory days. And there’s the man with the mice. They all keep calling her “Caroline,” which does not please Coraline at all, and they never seem to listen when she corrects them.
Coraline likes to explore things. She spends a lot of time outside until that fateful rai...more
Coraline likes to explore things. She spends a lot of time outside until that fateful rai...more
I absolutely adore pre teen narrators. I love seeing their worlds from their POV. No melodrama, no hesitation, no wistful thinking about the hot guy/girl, no inner monologue and most importantly no gray shades. I am not saying that those are bad aspects of a story and that I don’t enjoy them (except perhaps the continuous yakking about how handsome the new guy is). Still, books from the preteen perspective always prove to be a refreshing experience. A Relaxing yet fun experience, just like this...more
There's something about the way Neil Gaiman writes that appeals to me greatly. He doesn't WASTE words. No flowery, adjective laden descriptions or ridiculous cliches. And yet, I never feel cheated. He'll often move a character from one place or situation to the next, and if you're new to him or have been reading someone else you might think for a second "That was abrupt", but he does it well and it serves the story.
More importantly, Coraline is an engrossing tale. Firstly, while Coraline the cha...more
More importantly, Coraline is an engrossing tale. Firstly, while Coraline the cha...more
A bit austere in the detail department, but pretty creepy for a kids book. I listened to the audio version with Gaiman as the narrator. On the one hand, I'm wary of authors reading their own work only from the standpoint that they are not seasoned reading veterans. On the other hand, they approach the narration fully armed with the knowledge of what was meant by each line, what emphasis should be placed where and how each line of dialogue should be delivered. Gaiman is an adept reader, so listen...more
As my sister observed, looking askance at me, Coraline is a book appropriate for "Ages 8 and up." I resisted the implication that such a designation meant that the material in question was any LESS appropriate to a 23 year old. My sister, meanwhile, likened my reading Coraline to an 18 year old playing on a 11+ volleyball team. While I still feel that childrens' and Young Adult literature can have great merit to the adult reader, I did feel, in the end, that I would have gotten more enjoyment fr...more
Dec 12, 2012
Jonathan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jonathan by:
Richard
Social change? What has it got to do with Coraline?
What is it that drives social change? What is it that leads to positive revolution and reform? I recently read an article where someone argued that the emotion of anger was the major driving force. I would argue that perhaps there are greater forces which can lead to a desire to change. Among them love with all its desire and passion and also an unequivocal sense of boredom. Anger might make us feel resentment or injustice but anger on its own...more
It's good and well written. But be very careful how young you allow a "child" to read this book. The very quality of the writing will make you want to be sure a youth is mature enough for some of the images.
Coraline is very unhappy with her family, with her mother. Dissatisfied might be better. Now they've moved into a a new flat in a large old house that's been "subdivided" into multiple apartments. There are some odd folks here, and a black cat that wanders around outside. Then she finds and u...more
Coraline is very unhappy with her family, with her mother. Dissatisfied might be better. Now they've moved into a a new flat in a large old house that's been "subdivided" into multiple apartments. There are some odd folks here, and a black cat that wanders around outside. Then she finds and u...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
While in a waiting-room situation with an antsy child, I downloaded this on my Kindle for my 6-year-old daughter, who loved it so much that she insisted on having a "real" copy. Figured I'd better read it, too...besides, I love Neil Gaiman.
Hmmm...Bella reads the book, then I read the book. I really have this parenting thing down, no?
AAAANNNNDDDDD...I loved it. Woulda REALLY loved it when I was a kid. I'm waiting for Bella to do her review, and see how she ranks it. All I know so far is that she...more
Hmmm...Bella reads the book, then I read the book. I really have this parenting thing down, no?
AAAANNNNDDDDD...I loved it. Woulda REALLY loved it when I was a kid. I'm waiting for Bella to do her review, and see how she ranks it. All I know so far is that she...more
I will never read this book in the middle of the night, alone, ever again.
The funny thing about Coraline is that the story is much more frightening when read as adult than as a child.
The funny thing about Coraline is that the story is much more frightening when read as adult than as a child.
I saw the movie before picking up the book. And it was CREEPY! Who'd have thought a kids movie would shake me up so much?! Needless to say, I was eager to read the book after it and it didn't disappoint.
This story is about a girl, Coraline, who moves into a old house, divided into four flats, with her parents. She gets bored pretty quickly with the new place, what with her parents being too busy to spend time with her, so she takes to exploring.
She finds a small door which has been walled but c...more
This story is about a girl, Coraline, who moves into a old house, divided into four flats, with her parents. She gets bored pretty quickly with the new place, what with her parents being too busy to spend time with her, so she takes to exploring.
She finds a small door which has been walled but c...more
A creepy, almost surreal story about a girl, Coraline, who wanders into another world? dimension? and must rescue her real parents from her "other mother" who wishes to keep Coraline there forever. It was tame for Neil Gaiman in some regards, but still very dark. I would liken it to a warped "Alice in Wonderland," but having never read that, I don't think I should do that.
I'm a little confused by this book. On the one hand, I found the story compelling. I read it very quickly because the story was quite gripping. On the other hand, I was puzzled by it. On the cover, one of the reviewers compares the book to the Narnia books. However, those books were wonderful allegories. I cannot see any allegorical value in this story.
In the book, a little girl who lives in an apartment with her parents is intrigued by a locked door that opens to the bricked off entrance of th...more
In the book, a little girl who lives in an apartment with her parents is intrigued by a locked door that opens to the bricked off entrance of th...more
Recently enjoyed the audiobook version of this book on a plane ride - read by Neil Gaiman himself, it was a delightful revisit to this dark fairy-tale.
----------------------------------
Previously read Jan 2004
After seeing oodles of recommendations, and considering Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, I finally checked this YA novel out from the library and finished it in an hour or so.
A dark fairy-tale about Coraline, an adventurous & very bored girl who feels ignored by her parents...more
----------------------------------
Previously read Jan 2004
After seeing oodles of recommendations, and considering Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, I finally checked this YA novel out from the library and finished it in an hour or so.
A dark fairy-tale about Coraline, an adventurous & very bored girl who feels ignored by her parents...more
This book is delightfully creepy with a young heroine that I found very empowering. Each time I finish a book geared for younger readers I'm reminded of just how much elasticity we lose as we age. In Coraline, at one point a child easily accepts and adapts to an abrupt shift into a two-dimensional world, whereas an adult would feel more than a little insane suspending logic and flexibly adjusting to previously unreal circumstances. Somewhere throughout the years we do away with "could be" and se...more
"The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring."
I really enjoyed this clever little novella, but then again, I enjoy mostly everything from Gaiman. This is a story of young Coraline (though often mistakenly, and to her despair, called Caroline) – a bored and curious girl who longs for an adventure. As is expected from Gaiman, the story contains comically eccentric characters, a talking cat, a sudden dark twist to an otherwise ordinary day, and one very stubborn main character.
Though inte...more
I really enjoyed this clever little novella, but then again, I enjoy mostly everything from Gaiman. This is a story of young Coraline (though often mistakenly, and to her despair, called Caroline) – a bored and curious girl who longs for an adventure. As is expected from Gaiman, the story contains comically eccentric characters, a talking cat, a sudden dark twist to an otherwise ordinary day, and one very stubborn main character.
Though inte...more
This was a cool little book. It is slightly creepy, but in a way that keeps you wondering what is going to happen.
Coraline makes her way through a door in her family's drawing room that leads to another version of her apartment including an alternate reality of her parents and neighbors. Coraline become stuck in this other dimension and must use her smarts to rescue her parents and other lost souls and make her way back home.
Part exploration adventure, part ghost story, Coraline is an enjoyabl...more
Coraline makes her way through a door in her family's drawing room that leads to another version of her apartment including an alternate reality of her parents and neighbors. Coraline become stuck in this other dimension and must use her smarts to rescue her parents and other lost souls and make her way back home.
Part exploration adventure, part ghost story, Coraline is an enjoyabl...more
Doesn't every child get bored with their own life and wish that some much more fantastical life is just around the corner, if only they were clever enough to locate the entrance? (Access could be anywhere; a secret door in the sitting room, a wardrobe tucked away in the attic, or perhaps even a ticket in a candy bar.) This is a crisply written and creepy tale which gives the reader a glimpse into the wonderous and wicked world of the Other Mother. After realizing how treacherous this exiting wor...more
Thanks to Neil Gaiman (the writer), I would NEVER EVER looked at buttons the same way again!
The buttons I meant, it sent shivers in my spine. Because the evil characters had black buttons for their eyes.
Coraline is engaging, fast paced and scary. Yes, scary for a children's book. But I applauded Coraline because she's brave little girl who embarked on a quest to save her parents.
It is interesting though, she opened a door and stepped through it. She found herself in a house which was strangely s...more
The buttons I meant, it sent shivers in my spine. Because the evil characters had black buttons for their eyes.
Coraline is engaging, fast paced and scary. Yes, scary for a children's book. But I applauded Coraline because she's brave little girl who embarked on a quest to save her parents.
It is interesting though, she opened a door and stepped through it. She found herself in a house which was strangely s...more
Coraline is the best book that I have found to read aloud to my fifth grade students, and I look forward to doing it every year. Gaiman writes a story that is original and unique, but it also seems to echo a dozen different fairy tales. I think it is because he taps into what makes the old stories special. Coraline at its heart is about a child's intelligence and bravery overcoming all odds, and I think its great that Gaiman puts his heroine in real jeopardy (and not just because I like watching...more
Feb 06, 2009
J
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
what-i-ve-read-with-the-kid
When the previews and movie posters started turning up for the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2002 novel, Coraline, I let the wife know that she would not be allowed to accompany The Littlest Critic and I to see the movie unless she read the book herself. We had read the book maybe two or three months prior to the advertisements’ appearance and we were kind of excited. The few previews I’d seen worried me a little as they seemed sillier than the book which has a chilling quality to it*. To be quite...more
Jul 25, 2008
Roos
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Gaiman Fans
Shelves:
fantasiana
Dari 2 buku Gaiman yang pernah aku baca...buku ini terkesan gelap dan sedikit jauh dari keceriaan...dengan cover serba hitam dan gambar tangan-tangan yang berkesan mau menangkap plus satu tangan bawa jarum...belum gambar-gambar didalamnya...yang memang tidak berkesan jauh dari ceria...
Di banding Stardust memang jauh berbeda...fairy tale vs hooky spooky...Like a Nightmare.
Cerita Coraline Jones yang menemukan pintu ke 14 yang terkunci di Flat barunya, pertama melihat memang pintu itu tidak menuju...more
Di banding Stardust memang jauh berbeda...fairy tale vs hooky spooky...Like a Nightmare.
Cerita Coraline Jones yang menemukan pintu ke 14 yang terkunci di Flat barunya, pertama melihat memang pintu itu tidak menuju...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 Books to Read...: February Pick - Coraline | 3 | 10 | Apr 27, 2013 10:02pm | |
| Books2Movies Club: March 2013 - Coraline | 15 | 40 | Apr 27, 2013 10:00pm | |
| Tumblr Readers: Coraline Main Discussion *SPOILERS* | 22 | 28 | Mar 02, 2013 05:56pm | |
| Q: | 23 | 171 | Nov 14, 2012 06:45pm |
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“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
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“I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?”
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