Philippa Dowding's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane"

I simply CANNOT believe that in a few short hours I will be listening to the dulcet tones of Neil Gaiman at the Danforth Music Hall here in Toronto. In person. Sometime in the early 90s my brother bought me the complete set of the Sandman books (I think for my 30th birthday). I'm not really a graphic novel girl, so I wasn't sure what to think, I loved the storyline though. The next book I read was Anansi Boys, about 8 years ago, which was weird and interesting. THEN when my kids came along, I read them Coraline. My teenage son STILL remembers the terror the mum with button eyes instilled in his boy heart when he was ten. Then I fell in headfirst: Neverwhere, American Gods, and that children's book I read and re-read, The Graveyard Book. I have a very special relationship with The Graveyard Book. I think it's perfect. It fills me with joy, and with sorrow. It's one of those rare masterpieces that can make me laugh and cry on the same page. I think the chapter titled Danse Macabre is some of the finest children's writing anywhere, ever. The Graveyard Book is one of two children's books I wish I'd written (along with Tuck Everlasting). So. Tonight at 6:30 I get to sit and listen. And wonder, and be inspired by someone who could be the Mark Twain of our generation. I'll try not to laugh and cry at the same time, but no promises. I'll tell you what happens!