From the Bookshelf of EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club…

Coraline

Neil Gaiman

Start date: October 1, 2020

Finish date: October 31, 2020

Discussion: MODERN / POPULAR READS

Why we're reading this: Group pick Oct 2020 - Modern Classic/Popular
[close] Group pick Oct 2020 - Modern Classic/Popular

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MODERN / POPULAR READS

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What Members Thought

Mar 22, 2015 lethe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: a-children, c-record-correct, d-21st-c, l-eng, p-owned, g-supernatural, r-rip, s-autumn, g-horror, g-gothic

My review for the R.I.P. Challenge #3:
Coraline was not on my initial list either, but I had heard good things about it and when I saw the cover of the Subterranean Press edition I fell in love.

Coraline's parents are busy with their work and don't pay her much attention. The neighbours are friendly enough, but can't even get her name right and insist on calling her Caroline. One day when Coraline is bored she discovers that the brick wall behind an unused door in her flat has disappeared and the My review for the R.I.P. Challenge #3:
Coraline was not on my initial list either, but I had heard good things about it and when I saw the cover of the Subterranean Press edition I fell in love.

Coraline's parents are busy with their work and don't pay her much attention. The neighbours are friendly enough, but can't even get her name right and insist on calling her Caroline. One day when Coraline is bored she discovers that the brick wall behind an unused door in her flat has disappeared and the door now opens onto a dark hallway. Through it she enters a flat that looks almost exactly like her own, but more interesting. She meets her other parents there, two people with buttons for eyes who would love nothing better than for Coraline to come and live with them for ever and always. They want to sew buttons on her eyes too, which is where Coraline draws the line and leaves. Back in her own flat she discovers her parents have disappeared, abducted by her other mother, and the only way to get them back is to return to the other flat once more. There she will need all her courage and resourcefulness to outwit her other mother, rescue her own parents and the lost souls of three children that had been captured before, and return safely home.

I loved this book. I devoured it in one sitting, and can see myself re-reading it soon in order to catch all the details that I missed the first time around due to reading too greedily. I've seen complaints elsewhere that there are no layers to the story, and that not everything is explained. I wasn't bothered by any of that. Not all questions need to be answered, I like it when things are not spelled out but left open to the interpretation of the reader.

One gripe: never before have I seen a book printed on such ultrawhite paper. I don't know if this is the paper normally used by the Subterranean Press, but if it is, stop doing so people! It looks downright tacky. Off-white or cream-coloured paper looks much better and is easier on the eyes. That said, I'm not such a sourpuss that I detract points for the paper a book is printed on, so I give it 4/5 (finally!). ...more

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Oct 07, 2020 Kris rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is my first book by Neil Gaiman. I have American Gods, but it's so big I haven't even tried to tackle it yet.

This story starts out SO strange that I wasn't sure I'd finish it. It wasn't too long, though, before I was so engrossed in it.

Love it -- and could do it again. Soon. ...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Trisha rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, ya

This book was way to creepy for a child!!! Oh man, even I was creeped out, and a little grossed out too. There is no freaking way I am letting my kids read this until they're.....30, and maybe not even then :-). It was certainly a...unique plotline, a little bizarre, but definitely creepy. I would like to have seen a little more explanation as to who the woman was and why she wanted Coraline. I felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions. I know it was written for children, but I still wo ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 Josh rated it really liked it

This book was lovely, dark and triumphant. I wish wish wish that I had read it as a child. It is just the kind of book that would have had a profound impact on me. As it is, it was amazing and inspiring. This, to me is what horror should be for children, less a focus on fear and more an affirmation of courage and inner strength. So cool. I realize that most people who know me hate this kind of story, but I recommend it to everyone regardless.

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