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The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Start date: November 1, 2014

Finish date: November 30, 2014

Discussion: Book/Genre of the Month

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Book/Genre of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jul 18, 2014 Lowed rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

It was when I was about to finish the book that I received a dreadful news that a fried has died. We were so caught up with the comings and goings in our lives that most of us who were a friend to him felt regret, disappointment, and deep sadness (-although I really do not have any idea how deep can sadness go). Regret that we did not find the time to suggest to getting a second opinion or consult a different doctor. Regret that we have not really thought that a simple headache can be a symptom ...more

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Sep 22, 2014 Angela Blount rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Uncommon and artfully crafted. Steeped in the flavor of ethereal folklore and modern reminiscence, this story has the potential to linger like a melody just outside of memory's grasp.

This is a quick, light fantasy read. Once you get past the first 35 pages of setup and stay more in the flashback, the story gets pretty engaging. It called to mind the fantastical morbidity of something like 'Spirited Away' or 'Lady in the Water'...only more disturbing. >.> (I do apologize for using movies to descr
Uncommon and artfully crafted. Steeped in the flavor of ethereal folklore and modern reminiscence, this story has the potential to linger like a melody just outside of memory's grasp.

This is a quick, light fantasy read. Once you get past the first 35 pages of setup and stay more in the flashback, the story gets pretty engaging. It called to mind the fantastical morbidity of something like 'Spirited Away' or 'Lady in the Water'...only more disturbing. >.> (I do apologize for using movies to describe the atmospheric sense of a book theme, but these were the closest examples I could come to.)

The writing, though kept simplistic throughout most of it--as seen through the eyes of a 7-year-old boy--is rich with a boundless sort of British charm and a more universal reach for profundity. While the vast majority of the story centers around a relatively brief incident in his childhood, this is not what one could safely call a children's story. I'd generally rate it PG-13 due to sexual content and the degree of distressing imagery. (So those who may have thought this an innocuous bedtime story for their elementary-aged child, consider yourself forewarned.)

I'd dare say this is a fairytale for jaded adults longing for the wonderment they've lost.

The only notable detraction for this reviewer was found in the adult-version of the main character—the middle-aged divorcee artist. Readers aren't offered much of a sense for him in the now, as most of the story's focus is poured into the child edition of him. You get the idea he has children of his own, but their existence, along with his apparently failed marriage, don't seem any part of his thought life. His goals/passions at the current stage in his life are never referenced, and it's not clear if that's because he's adrift as a man who's forgotten a matchless adventure...or if he's simply underdeveloped.

All in all, it did pique my interest in exploring more of Gaiman's works.

Favorite Quote:

*"Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are things people are scared of. Some of them are things that look like things people used to be scared of a long time ago. Sometimes monsters are things people should be scared of, but aren't."
...more

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Mar 26, 2014 Vikas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I am also not sure where to begin this review for this wonderful book which (as many people have said before) is Childhood.

This book is full of lines worth quoting and everyone is marvelous. This is a tale of childhood, memories, magic, supernatural, universe and each and everything. I always wanted to read Neil Gaiman's books ever since I saw the movie Stardust based on his book. And I haven't been disappointed.

I finished this book in 2-3 sittings and would have done it sooner if I didn't have ...more

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Jul 10, 2013 Karthik S rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-magic

‘What you remembered? Probably. More or less. Different people remember things differently, and you’ll not get any two people to remember anything the same, whether they were there or not. You stand two of you lot next to each other, and they could be continents away for all it means anything.’

Neil Gaiman (2013-06-18 00:00:00-04:00). The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Kindle Locations 2372-2374). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

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