From the Bookshelf of Drop Everything And Read…

Coraline

Neil Gaiman

Start date: February 1, 2017

Finish date: February 28, 2017

Discussion: Read

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What Members Thought

Apr 05, 2012 Megan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

“Because,' she said, 'when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave.”

I had the perfect atmosphere when I was reading this book. It was dark, I was by myself and I kid you not as soon as Coraline enters the other world a second time when the creepiness heightens, it started to thunderstorm outside. All of this added to the overall creepiness of the book, which I enjoyed so much.

Having not seen the movie yet, which I hope to within the week, I wasn’t very familiar with the book
“Because,' she said, 'when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave.”

I had the perfect atmosphere when I was reading this book. It was dark, I was by myself and I kid you not as soon as Coraline enters the other world a second time when the creepiness heightens, it started to thunderstorm outside. All of this added to the overall creepiness of the book, which I enjoyed so much.

Having not seen the movie yet, which I hope to within the week, I wasn’t very familiar with the book except what I saw in previews and the book jacket. Coraline is a little girl who loves adventures and exploring. When she can’t go outside because of the rain she tries to entertain herself around the house finding her parents and the other tenets boring. That is when she finds a small locked door, which when unlocked, reveals nothing but a brick wall. Later that night a dark scurrying noise leads her once again to the door, which reveals now a small corridor. Coraline walks through into a parallel world where her other mother and father live. The other world is much more exciting, but in the end much more terrifying.

I wish I could have read this book when I was about 7 years old because I know it would have scared the pants off of me… cause at 20 it still managed to creep me out. I had heard it was creepy but it was more than I expected. I applaud Neil Gaiman for this book. The book had wonderful writing where kids and adults alike can enjoy it. He doesn’t waste a word and refuses to spell everything out for you, which adds to the mystery and the creepiness of the story.

All kids should read this book because of how much of a role model Coraline can be. She is an awesome character, brave and smart. The cat is also a really cool character and probably my favorite, especially at the end with the rats! I like the cleverness of the cat and the witty comments.

“’We...we could be friends.'
‘We COULD be rare specimens of an exotic breed of dancing African elephants, but we're not. At least, I'M not.’”

This book was just fun. I loved it. It was a quick read but completely satisfying. All that night every time I heard a noise I could have swore it was the other mother’s hand. This book read like a nightmare and I loved that about it. I liked the writing, I loved the character, there isn’t really anything about this book I didn’t enjoy… except that it was too short but that’s because it’s a kids book so I can get over that. That’s why this book definitely gets 5 out of 5 stars.

The sad thing about finishing this book though was the fact that I have now finished all of Neil Gaiman’s novels. I feel a bit empty when I look on my shelf and see no new Neil Gaiman for me to read. Oh well now I will just move on to his graphic novels and hopefully he will write more books.

And now I leave you with my favorite quote from the book:

“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?”

...more

17 likes · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2011 Zara Arshad rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, got-sucked-into-their-world, kick-ass-girl, survival, fantasy, children-fiction

Note to self: Read it to your children! Fantastic adventure and life lessons for them in it!

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2015 Cynthia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Now I need to watch the movie again...

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 26, 2021 E.S. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

After moving into a new flat in a big old house with her parents, Coraline is finding herself facing the ultimate test: boredom on a rainy day. She has explored everything…until a mysterious door leads her to a house identical to her own, but even more fantastic. There, she meets her “Other Mother” a woman identical to her mother but with button eyes. Everything seems perfect! Until they want to replace her eyes with buttons as well. Now, Coraline has to escape her Other Mother’s clutches and sa After moving into a new flat in a big old house with her parents, Coraline is finding herself facing the ultimate test: boredom on a rainy day. She has explored everything…until a mysterious door leads her to a house identical to her own, but even more fantastic. There, she meets her “Other Mother” a woman identical to her mother but with button eyes. Everything seems perfect! Until they want to replace her eyes with buttons as well. Now, Coraline has to escape her Other Mother’s clutches and save her own parents…otherwise she will be stuck forever.

Of course, I have seen the movie Coraline. It was years ago, but it still sticks fresh in my mind. Delightfully reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, Neil Gaiman brings to life the story of a girl who wants more out of life. Or…so she thinks. But with the opportunity to have everything, she learns that having everything doesn’t really mean anything. It’s the boring days that make life count.

Creepy in every way, Gaiman paints a picture of the experiences Coraline goes through as she fights her Other Mother. The monsters are the type that will haunt nightmares, all while showing Coraline’s strength and determination to overcome them. In a way, they are a message for growing up: escaping temptation, accepting new things, and learning to embrace selflessness. These are messages that adults and children can all carry.

I will say, some parts didn’t hold my attention and I think were better translated onto the screen. In addition, the ending was a bit slow, considering the anxiety pumping action throughout the middle of the book. Perhaps this was the audiobook narration and not the tale itself. It is hard to tell at times. This can be the case with Neil Gaiman’s writing though; its poetic nature can wind in just the wrong direction, losing the reader for a moment in both good and bad ways.

Overall though, Coraline is a wonderful story that both adults and children will like. Just remember though, if you find a strange door in your house, be careful where you put the key. Otherwise, you might just find your Other Mother! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 24, 2017 Audrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

I like Coraline. She is such an adventurous girl who is not afraid of challenges and such a strong girl. The beginning of the book was a tiny bit uninteresting but the rest was marvelous. I'm glad that she identifies herself as an explorer and I think she and Alice from Alice in Wonderland would make great friends. ...more

1 like · Like · see review