From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman

Start date: May 1, 2015

Finish date: May 15, 2015

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Why we're reading this: MAY 15th, DISCUSSION BEGINS.
From our "book dictator" Chip:
"Why should you read this? Besides the fact th…more
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MAY 15th, DISCUSSION BEGINS.
From our "book dictator" Chip:
"Why should you read this? Besides the fact that your dictator has willed it, I'll provide you some reasons.

The story begins with a funeral that brings the protagonist back to his hometown. A hometown with a strange, dark, dangerous secret that could have destroyed the world. There. Is that apocalyptic enough for you?"

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 346 topics — 20,939 comments total

AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

* What is a good book for AW discussion? (Nominations pool)
By Gertie · 65 posts · 218 views

last updated Oct 18, 2025 05:31PM

* AW Book Club: what we've read
By Gertie · 16 posts · 1826 views

last updated Dec 10, 2019 09:01AM

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What Members Thought

Oct 04, 2014 Nicole Adrienne rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, read-in-2016

I need a Lettie Hempstock in my life.

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2013 Joanna rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

3.5 stars actually. I love Neil Gaiman's writing, it's so lovely, but the story of this one didn't really do much for me. I don't know why, but I was expecting this to be more of an adult novel and other than a couple of curse words here and there it's still very much a young adult novel. Again, the writing is haunting and beautiful, and as usual, the imagery is stunning, but maybe it's just hard for me to see the magic in my own 7 year old self. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 12, 2013 Cindywho rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, fantasy-sf

Gaiman is a favorite listen, he has a lovely voice. His horror mixed with nostalgia style can be unsettling, but I assume it's meant to be. He draws upon his own childhood for a layered story of memory and perception of a seven year old boy with a creepy family and kindly neighbors. ...more

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Aug 13, 2013 Dana rated it really liked it

I appreciate Neil's sense of history with his reference to the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror. ...more

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Aug 12, 2015 Aaron rated it liked it

Weird.
Someday perhaps I will understand more.
In the meantime, I live.

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Aug 08, 2013 James Noll rated it liked it

This was really good, but it wasn't a novel. Maybe a novella, but not a novel. ...more

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Feb 12, 2014 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

This book provoked the same feeling from me as staring out into the ocean, hearing nothing but the waves crashing and feeling how tiny and small we all are in the grand scheme of things. A very beautiful book and a reminder of all the wonders and truths that are out there that we as modern humans refuse to see, remember, or believe.

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