Gaiman, Neil - The Graveyard Book - Relaxed Buddy Read - (Start November 10 2013) Revisit June 17, 2016

[Steven]

I really enjoyed this one, especially how the different chapters entail different ages for Bod, and we get to see him grow up. It was a cute tale, with Gaiman's usual dark aspects as well.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 1-2

I am really enjoying this book so far. The intial chapter I found very confronting with the idea that someone would want to murder a toddler. I guess that is NG's style though, to not 'water' things down and have quite confronting things happen.
I love the idea of the Graveyard and that Bod (such a shame about that name!) has freedom of the Graveyard and can interact with all of it's spiritual inhabitants.
I felt sorry for him when his first real friend (Scarett) moved away - and the fact that she believed him to be invisible :( I wonder if she will come back into the story?
In my hardback version the illustration of the "master of this place" is pretty creepy! Will Bod go back down there? I wonder

So far I am very taken by this book. That magical/dark quality that NG does so well in the books we have read so far (Coraline, Ocean at the end of the lane), although this one has grabbed me much more. I think because I have always had an interest in graveyards and I enjoy walking around old ones and reading tombstones and the different types of stones. So this idea of growing up in a graveyard has a strange appeal to me!

[Leslie]

I'm starting this tonight.

[Jex]

Chapter 1-2

I've never been a huge Gaimon fan (although I did enjoy Coraline) but I figured I would give this a try anyway. So far it's not too bad. It hasn't necessarily grabbed me and made me want to keep reading, but it hasn't made me want to put it down either. I like the idea that Bod, although alive, has some of the abilities of the dead because of his Freedom of the Graveyard. It was rather sad that his only friend believed him invisible. I wonder if he'll grow up to be a weirdo since he's not really being taught the things a boy should. Will he go to school? What's the point of living if you're stuck in a graveyard?

I would really like to know more about the entity that was after him. I hope we get more information about that soon. I understand that the graveyard is trying to protect him, but from what exactly? Is it just a man? Is it something more? Why did they kill his family? Why were they after such a young boy? I always want more answers then I'm given :-P

[Ashley Marie]

Chapter 1-2

This is one of my top three Gaiman books (they're all my favorites, but this is among my favoritest favorites). Fun Gaiman fact: If you get him to sign a copy of this book, he'll draw a little tombstone with your name on it.

I really like the Jungle Book, and love Gaiman's reimagining of the story. I love that, because the Graveyard is so old and so filled with different types of people, he's able to find a person to fill all of his needs...or at least try to! I like his relationship with Silas in particular. Silas seems to be really patient with him and all of his questions!

It's been awhile since I read this one, and I totally forgot about the Sleer. If I was reading this as a child, I'd be totally freaked out by that passage! Way more freaked out than I would have been by my family being murdered lol. In some ways, or at least how I remember being as a child, it seems much more likely that the Sleer would sneak into my closet than my family be murdered in their sleep.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jex - lol at your questions! I have them too, but I guess I'm ok with waiting for it to all come about. I assumed the man Jack is an actual person with an everyday type reson for killing the family (i.e. not a spiritual one) but I guess I could be wrong. The illustration of Jack in the book is c-r-e-e-p-y!

@Ash - love the fun fact! I didn't even connect this was a Jungle Book reimagining. Makes sense now you've said it! I like the relationship with Silas too. I can't wait to find out more about him and why he has also been given freedom of the graveyard

[Ashley Marie]

Karen wrote: "The illustration of Jack in the book is c-r-e-e-p-y!"

I love the Dave McKean illustrations. They're a big part of why I love this story!

[Justin]

Chapters 1-2

So I'm wondering if we will ever learn more about Jack and his motive in the first chapter. I love how Bod is completely oblivious to the situation and finds a way out of the house on his own. Bod is like Harry Potter. He's the Boy Who Lived!

So, is Jack still after him or did he call it a day once Bod escaped into the graveyard? In Chapter 2, he's older and I am assuming Jack hasn't been trying to find him in the graveyard for years. I feel like Jack was just the means to isolate Bod and get him to the graveyard. I'm not sure if the story is even going ot go back there as it may just focus on Bod's life growing up with ghosts. But, what do I know? I'm two chapters into this thing.

The cast of characters within the graveyard seem interesting and Bod's real-life friend appears to be destined for a second appearance. The first two chapters seem to stand alone as different points in Bod's life, but I'm hoping each chapter doesn't present a brand new series of events without building off of the previous chapters. But, what do I know? I'm only two chapters into this thing...

This is first crack at finishing a Gaiman book. I read part of Neverwhere, but I didn't finish it. I'm looking forward to actually finishing it next month. Maybe I just need to take baby steps with Neil Gaiman. This one is pretty good so far.

On a side note, isn't this being made into a movie soon?

[Kayla]

Chapters 1 & 2

I thought this sounded similar to the Jungle Book, but I had no idea that it was an intentional reimagining of it. So far I really like this book; Gaiman is so talented at writing the dark and the macabre. It might be a children's book, but Gaiman's writing is wonderful and flows so well.

I was really sad to see Bod's only friend go, and it was even worse that she thought he was imaginary.

I wouldn't count Jack out yet, he obviously has unfinished business with the family (the nature of it makes me wonder if it was related to inheritance or money in some way). I'm also wondering if we'll learn more about why Silas isn't tied to a single graveyard like everyone else.

I looked up the movie on imdb, looks like they're in the script-writing phase right now and Ron Howard is directing it. I had no idea, another movie to look forward to :]

I'm excited to read more, hopefully school doesn't bog me down this week!

[Sarah]

A movie - so cool. I have only read about thirty pages and I was already thinking "This should be a movie."

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Justin

haha - the boy who lived! love it

I read American Gods years ago but I don't know that I ever actually "got it". I also feel like I am making baby steps with NG right now. The next book will certainly test me!

---

@Kayla

I am very curious about Jack too!
and the movie with hopefully be amazing. Like Sarah, I can totally picture it in my mind

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 3-5 (pages 57-160)

So I am a little ahead as I had a Dr's appointment this morning so it meant I could read while I was waiting!

I'm finding each chapter is a story in itself, and it doesn't seem to be tying together a lot yet, although we have had bits and pieces (Jack's card, the witch helping Bod out at the store). Now we've had the "interlude" at the end of this section I am wondering if the different bits will come together much more.
I love how the witch ends up being quite nice and helpful! I hope we see more of her. I am very curious now about Silas after the dance that he didn't participate in (as he isn't dead or alive I guess). And what is the deal with Jack?! And they are "running out of time"?
In my illustrated copy the next section has a great drawing of Silas saying "I think it is time to talk about where you came from". Oh! The suspense!

[Leslie]

Ive just started reading chapter 3. I'm liking the book so far but for some reason I'm having trouble really getting into it.

[Jess]

Ch 1-2
I read this book when it first came out, but have absolutely no memory of it. It seems like this will be one of those books that doesn't make an impression the first time I try to read it, but on the second reading I become really interested.
I'm intrigued by the setup of why Bod is raised in the graveyard. The murder scene is disturbing, but it hasn't come up again. I guess we'll get more info later.
I really love how matter-of-fact Silas is. The way he patiently answers Bod's questions is both sweet and keeps me aware of how he isn't human.
I liked the scene with Scarlet Perkins. I wonder if she will come back, I hope so. I laughed when Bod tells us that Scarlet moves around a lot because her father teaches particle physics and there are too many people who want to teach particle physics, but not enough people who want to learn it.
So far the story is good, but feels a little disjointed. I'm interested to see how the pieces fit together.

[Sarah]

I don't know what to say yet because I also started today and got way more sucked in. Regardless - both books have whisked me away into their magical and surreal worlds.

[Andreea]

I read this one last year, for Halloween I think. But I loved it more than I loved Caroline. I will try no to say too much about it since I don't remember the chapters exactly and I don't want to spoil it. Silas was one of my favourite characters!

[Valerie]

Chapters 1-2

I'm definitely really excited for this book. I have read Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. So I'm hoping that I will get used to his writing style, so that I can fully enjoy this book.

I was really sad when Scarlett had to leave, because she was Bod's only really friend. I also hated how her parents think Bod is imaginary, and I just wanted him to come out and say "Hey, I'm not imaginary here I am!", but then I realized how stupid that would be, because then he would be taken away from the graveyard.

I also really like Silas. He answers all of Bod's questions and doesn't yell at him for being friends with Scarlett (which I thought was going to happen). And also I can't wait to see how Bod will take the fact that he isn't really from the graveyard, but from a real family

So basically I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Kayla]

@Karen - I haven't read Coraline, but I really liked the movie. For this one, they'll have to be careful to translate the right amount of kindness and the right amount of creepy. Too much of one or the other could make or break the movie, I think.

@Sarah - I loved The Golem and the Jinni! I haven't read much historical fiction, but I thought it was fantastic C: You're still going to keep up on this one though, right? Don't leave the NG book hanging >_<


I'm reading chapter 5 before bed tonight, so I'll post my thoughts tomorrow!

[Sarah]

Yes I am reading from both. But I do like the other one more so far.

[Sarah]

Chapter 3 -
First of all I need to figure out who the 33rd president was - and Victor Hugo as a goul - this is hilarious - along with the Emperor of China. Now the question is how is Nobody gonna get out of this mess - I don't think Bod had rotting body parts in mind for fine dinning.

[Sarah]

Haha - 33rd president = Harry Truman

[Justin]

Chapter 3 was crazy. I love how Gaiman refers to his characters as "the man Jack" and "the great writer Victor Hugo". I'm still not that into the book as much as I anticipated, but it's a fun read so far..,

I haven't read 4-5 yet, but I think it's strange that Bod's parents are around as minor characters in the graveyard. The others are raising Bod and they just pop in every once on a while.

[Sarah]

Chapter four -
O.K. wait a minute, the witch is named Liza Hempstock - weren't the Hempstocks the family of witches in The Ocean at the End of the Lane?

[Kayla]

Sarah wrote: "Chapter four -
O.K. wait a minute, the witch is named Liza Hempstock - weren't the Hempstocks the family of witches in The Ocean at the End of the Lane?"
Yep, there's also a Hempstock in Stardust. :D NG likes to add Hempstocks in, just because he can. He's said that Liza is distantly related to Daisy from TOATEOTL.

[Valerie]

Sarah wrote: "Chapter four -
O.K. wait a minute, the witch is named Liza Hempstock - weren't the Hempstocks the family of witches in The Ocean at the End of the Lane?"

YES EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT. I was like, wait a minute, that name seems familiar.

haha I wonder why NG really likes Hempstocks

[Leslie]

So I was having a lot of trouble getting into this book. I found my solution though. Since this is a YA book I decided to take the book over to my brother's house and started reading it to my nephews. It has really helped me enjoy the story more and my nephews are loving it! I'm going over tonight it read chapters 5 and 6 to them.

[Justin]

Cool idea, Leslie. My son is almost 4 and he went through a phase where he loved the movie Coraline which worried me a little because it was kind of creepy for a toddler I haven't read the book, but maybe it would be fun to read to him when he's older. Right now we have a hard enough time getting through Goodnight Moon. The kid has a lot of energy!

[Justin]

Sorry about the run-on sentence. I should really stop leaving comments from the app.

[Leslie]

This is my first time to read a book by Neil Gaiman and I'm enjoying this one. There are certainly some dark characters. I'm on chapter 4 right now and love the atmosphere and magical/dark quality to the story. What an interesting idea, growing up in a graveyard! I like the quote on page 104 which says: "It's like the people who believe they'll be happy if they go and live somewhere else, but who learn it doesn't work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you." Also, it's a great idea that Bod can interact with all the inhabitants of the graveyard.

I look forward to seeing what happens next.

[Kayla]

Chapters 3-5
I loved the introduction of "ghoul gates"! Gaiman has a knack for taking something ordinary you might see in real life and using it to make something magical. Also creepy and bizarre in this case. The ghouls were so interesting...I wonder if they identify themselves based on the first person they consumed or something. Blegh that sounds really nasty! >_<

@Leslie: I also enjoyed that exchange between Bod and Silas. That's a topic most people would struggle to explain to their kids, but Silas explains everything in a simple, but wise manner. I hope we learn more about Silas soon, he's definitely my favourite character.

Also can we talk about how sarcastic and hilarious Mr. Pennyworth is?
"If you came to me in company with a purple lion, a green elephant, and a scarlet unicorn astride which was the King of England in his Royal Robes, I do believe that it is you and you alone that people would stare at, dismissing the others as minor irrelevancies."

Poor Bod, he's not a dead person so he can't Fade like this guy, but he still gets flack anyway. Funny, though. xD

Also I read the interlude because it was short, but I'm not sure if it was a part of this section or not so...
(view spoiler)[OH SNAP, Silas was stirring up trouble in San Fran. I wonder what he was up to? Protecting Bod somehow I'd say, but I'm really curious what kind organization/crowd the man Jack is working with/for. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jessica
I loved that bit about teaching particle physics too!

@Valerie
Yes I felt the same about his friendship with Scarlett, but then realised it was better that way

@Kayla
Re: Coraline - yes, I wasn't impressed with the movie version of Coraline. It was good, but I found it a bit slow and didn't have the magical quality of the book

@Sarah
lol and thanks for looking up the 33rd president ;)

@Justin
True, the 'parents' take a back seat. Silas' character is more involved it seems

@Sarah
Nice pickup about the Hempstocks. I totally forgot that!

@Leslie
Awesome way to read the book :)

@LeslieD
Great quote. So many good ones in this book

@Kayla
Oh those ghould were scary!! and lol re: Mr pennyworth! I loved that line too
yes, I read the interlude too. I totally need to know what is going on with Jack and that crowd!

[Ashley Marie]

Blargh: I'm falling behind. Why do I request so many library books at once?!?! You'd think I'd learn!

I'm going to be out of town for the weekend, so I'll try to catch up while I'm gone. I'll post my thoughts for the next two sections when we get back!

[Justin]

Chapter 4 is my favorite chapter so far. I really liked seeing Bod leave the graveyard and interact with real people. It was nice to see Jack reintroduced through the card, too

The interlude was intriguing and I am anxious to see what happens next as it looks like Jack will be returning to the graveyard once again.

I feel like there is a lot of filleting the book with the various stories in each chapter, but it's a young adult book so I am becoming a little more cool with that.

It's definitely picking up I'm excited for the second half.

[Kristie]

@ Leslie - What a great idea to read the book with your nephews!

@ Justin - Good call on "the boy who lived"! Love that reference. :)

@ Kayla - I'll be looking for the Hempstocks in Stardust! Also, I didn't know that this was a re-imagining of The Jungle Book, but it makes sense now that you said it. I like that. It is a very creative version. From what I've read, I bet the movie version will be good.

I'm listening to the audio in the car and enjoying it. They don't state chapters in the audio, so I'm not quite sure how far along I am. Using the page numbers for the book used for the breakdown, I figure I'm at about page 124. Hoping to listen to some more tonight. So far, my favorite line is "Wherever you go, you take yourself with you," as Leslie quoted above too.

I'm curious what will happen with the man, Jack, now that he's been reintroduced into the story. (Yikes...creepy guy.)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Ash
haha I know the feeling! At least you have read this before :)

@Justin
yes I really liked that too until it all went terribly wrong!

@Kristie

Good quote! and yes Jack is creepy!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

re: the end

I found the whole "Jack of all trades" very clever. I was glad when Scarlett came back into the story, but also understand that she had to leave again and what Silas did.
I also really liked how Bod started to become "human" again as he got older. I don't know that he was quite ready for the world, but you have to hope so, right? I can't help but think with no education or knowledge of the world he will just end up on the streets, but that is just my logical brain kicking in. I need to just go with the fairytale that he is ok :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Discussion Questions

**SPOILER - Don't keep reading if you haven't finished!**
Questions based on those from Shmoop, Bookbrowse and Litlovers

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?

2. There is a rich tradition of orphans in children’s literature as well as a tradition of child-of-destiny themes in fantasy literature. Discuss how Bod fits squarely into both categories.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?

5.Why can’t the dead talk about dancing the Macabray? Why must the living forget it? What does it mean that Silas isn’t allowed to participate? How do you think he feels about this?

6. How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?

7.Neil Gaiman says that he wanted The Graveyard Book to be both a novel and a book of short stories. Do you think he succeeds?

8. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. How does the graveyard come together to raise this particular child?

9. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman's first novel for young readers, Coraline?

[Jex]

Just finished through the interlude.

I'm a little frustrated with how disjointed the story is. A new story every chapter is a little difficult. It's all interesting mini stories about graveyard life, but I want more information on the main plot line. What's happening with Jack? Why is has he been sent after Bod? Is Bod special in some way besides living in the graveyard?

The ghouls were interesting, and I was surprised that Bod asked to go with them. He definitely wasn't paying much attention to his lessons. Sheesh. It kind of makes me want to go investigate a near by graveyard looking for headless statues.

I'm starting to think that Jack isn't a normal man due to his ability to be "invited" with the card the guy had. I'm curious to know what kind of creature he is and if he's one that Bod has studied up on.

What's with the random dance between living and dead and why is it so secretive? I'm curious as to what the lady in Gray meant when she said that everyone rides her horse someday. What is she? Why is she important enough to lead the group in the dance? I have a feeling that because the lady in gray danced with Bod it means he is something special to the dead, I just don't know what purpose he has quite yet.

The interlude brings up more questions than it answered, but at least it followed the main plot line with the Jack story. I wonder what Silas' story is and why he was causing trouble in San Fran. Maybe Silas is part of the fighting force against whatever Jack is? I would love to heard more about Silas and how he came to be in the graveyard. I hope we get his story line a bit more soon.

So far I don't despise this book, but I hope it starts giving answers soon. There are only a couple chapters left :-P

[Anima]

Sorry, I'm late to the party, but I read this book last month and got immersed into other reads in November.

I loved this book, although it wasn't one of my favourite ones by Gaiman.

Still, I find this concept of being brought up by the ghosts and living on the graveyard gripping and creeping a little bit.

Karen, you wrote in your first post about chapters 1 and 2: I think because I have always had an interest in graveyards and I enjoy walking around old ones and reading tombstones and the different types of stones. So this idea of growing up in a graveyard has a strange appeal to me! and I totally agree with you and I couldn't put it better myself!

I liked that we saw different stages of growing up and problems connected both with the certain age and awkward circumstances. I believe that Gaiman succeeded in building a novel from short stories, as we see Bod in various moments of life, but we still have this frame of him being in hiding from Jacks. A little bit like in A Week in Winter by M. Binchy.

The scariest notion in the book was this organisation of Jacks, I would like to know more about its purpose, origins and influences, but all the same lack of the info builds the tention and scares even more.

I loved the collective effort to rise Bod. It was like a happy family and friends together and every inhabitant of the graveyard had some important role to play.

The sequence of Dance Macabray brought to my mind picttures from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton. There we meet only ghosts and various creatures, but still, the atmosphere somehow seems to be similar. Macabre and joy combined in this one dance. I think that dead and living cannot remember or talk about this events because in everyday life their worlds do not intermingle, but they are allowed to meet once in a while. This is part of the book that was the most magical for me.

All in all, I read this book with pleasure and interest and I'm glad I finally came to it as it has been on my shelf for a long time :)

[Valerie]

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?
This book didn't really scare me that much, because I'm FEARLESS. And also because it wasn't descriptive enough to gross me out or spook me. That's a good thing.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?
When they first introduced all the Jacks, I was so confused because I thought there was only one Jack. Now that I finished the book, it kind of makes sense, but I wish it was explained more. Like what exactly did the Honor Guard do to get rid of the Jacks?

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?
I want to see Bod go back to the Graveyard and see his family and old friends, and SILAS. And I also DON'T want to see him lose all his powers because he returned to the living. He should be able to live on the border between living and the dead, like it was prophesized.


7.Neil Gaiman says that he wanted The Graveyard Book to be both a novel and a book of short stories. Do you think he succeeds?
He did succeed, but I think it would've made the book better if it wasn't short stories, but just a novel. But then again, everything ties in the end, like how Bod used the ghoul gates to help him, and also a Sleer. So you know what, I change my mind, I think Gaiman did a good job.

I really liked this book, and at first I thought the "short stories" concept Gaiman was trying to write didn't work, but now I just realized that it did, because everything connected in the end. Bod used what he had learned from his past in order to get rid of the Jacks.

The ending was a little bitter sweet, because I didn't want to see Bod leave his family (and I don't know if he will ever see them again), but also I was happy that he was going to go out and see the world, and hopefully make more friends.

Overall I really liked the story and the plot. I still don't know how I feel about Neil Gaiman's writing style, but I definitely liked this book compared to the Ocean at the End of the Lane.

[Jess]

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?
There were a few parts where I definitely felt the tension. Specifically the parts where Bod tries to sell the Sleer's broach and the two shady adults lock him in a room and almost call Jack. I felt like any child would be terrified and confused about the situation. It's funny that in a book about ghosts and monsters some of the most menacing characters are humans.

2. There is a rich tradition of orphans in children’s literature as well as a tradition of child-of-destiny themes in fantasy literature. Discuss how Bod fits squarely into both categories.
I definitely like how Bod fits the self-fulfilling prophecy trope. It seems like a lot of child of destiny figures tend to be created through the villain trying to avoid these kids, but ends up creating them instead. I'm thinking of Harry Potter as another recent example.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?
It didn't bother me. They filled the role of the antagonist well. I can understand how some may feel they were too simplisticly evil. Although you do see that they are philanthropists when they meet in the middle of the book, which is sort of interesting.

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?
I don't think I'd want a sequel. I'm happy with the bittersweet but hopeful ending. If Gaiman did write a sequel, I'd rather know what happens to Scarlet and her mom.

5.Why can’t the dead talk about dancing the Macabray? Why must the living forget it? What does it mean that Silas isn’t allowed to participate? How do you think he feels about this?
It made me so sad that Silas couldn't participate. He represents this liminal figure, that isn't quite dead but isn't quite alive, so he doesn't fit in anywhere. Silas is very interesting, because he seems like he wishes he could participate, but accepts that he cannot. I wonder what made him so accepting. If it were me I'd be upset and lonely.

6. How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?
It's interesting that being dead is very similar to being alive except people don't seem to grow physically or emotionally. I really liked how when a new dead character was introduced we were always given their full name, year of birth-death, and the quote on their tombstone.

7.Neil Gaiman says that he wanted The Graveyard Book to be both a novel and a book of short stories. Do you think he succeeds?
That explains a lot. Some of the book felt disjointed to me. Especially when the dead and living dance the Macabray.

8. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. How does the graveyard come together to raise this particular child?
Every inhabitant of the graveyard had some piece of advice or lesson to teach Bod. Even those who didn't want anything to do with him.

9. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman's first novel for young readers, Coraline?
I haven't read Coraline in years, so I'm not sure how the books compare. I remember the story being a bit more linear. But it seems like Gaiman wanted this book to be more disjointed.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jex

I understand. I found it a bit "disjointed" until after the interlude then it seemed to connect better

On the weekend we went for a drive and walked through an old graveyard and I was looking for headless statues...lol

Not sure about the dance - I just thought that it was trying to show we may interact together even if we don't realise/remember it

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@Anima
I'm glad I'm not the only one with that thought about graveyards! I agree about the Jacks. I wonder if he will bring them back in another book?
Such a good way to describe the dance - I hadn't thought of that. I agree it as very magical

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@Valerie

3. yes, I'd have liked that a little more clear too

7. I thought it was bittersweet too. I just don't know how he can "survive" in the world

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@Jessica

1. great point, I hadn't thought of that

4. me too. I liked Scarlett

6. yes! And isn't that what we all look at when we walk around a graveyard :)

7. same here

[Kaitlin]

I'm a little late to the party - just started this one. I swear, IDK how kids read these books. Seriously. There was a mass murder on the second page!!

Anyway, enjoying it so far. I will post more when I'm farther along - I'm afraid to read people's comments because I don't want to see any spoilers!! :-)

[Kayla]

@Jex:
About the book feeling disjointed, I read Gaiman's acceptance speech for the Newbery Medal in the back of my copy, and he said he was inspired by the Jungle Book which was told in a series of short stories. That's more or less what this book did. It all came together at the end, but I wasn't really motivated to finish this book all in one sitting like I so often do. I still really liked it though. :]

@Kaitlin:
Glad you could join C:
And about the whole murder thing: even if it wasn't written explicitly until much later, Harry Potter's parents were brutally murdered, and look how successful Rowling is! Murder doesn't automatically constitute an adult book. >_<

RE: Chapter 6 - End
I really liked this part, because Bod has learned so many cool ghost tricks, but never has a chance to use them:
"Someone killed my mother and my father and my sister."

"Yes. Someone did."

"A man?"

"A man."

"Which means," said Bod, "you're asking the wrong question."

Silas raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Well," said Bod. "If I go outside in the world, the question isn't 'who will keep me safe from him?'"

"No?"

"No. It's 'who will keep him safe from me?'"

Wow, Bod. Didn't know you were such a bada**. I think Silas was secretly impressed with his mousey-haired kid.


I'm still thinking about how I feel about this book, and what I liked and what I didn't. I have to head to class, but I'll probably write my thoughts on the discussion questions later. Overall, I thought it was wonderful story, though. It can't be easy to write a book that can appeal to all ages, but Gaiman definitely delivers.

[Jex]

@Kayla: That's really interesting. I know you (or someone) had mentioned the jungle book theme earlier and I guess I didn't really get it. It makes sense now that I've finished the book how the stories all come together. I never really thought of the jungle book as a bunch of short stories (although I've never read the book, only movies) but makes sense.

[Jex]

So I typed up answers to the questions and posted but they don't seem to be anywhere. Awesome.

[Amanda]

I'm slowly catching up with you all :).

Chapters 1-4 (I actually have no idea what chapter I'm on, but my kindle says I'm at 30%.)

So far I'm am really enjoying this book. I love how Neil Gaiman always adds this dark feeling to his books while still making it whimsical.

I was surprised that the book began with a mass murder. I like the way that was done. It reminded me of how Hitchcock did his movies: give only enough info through disconnected scenes and images that the reader/viewer fills in the gaps themselves. If he had described the scene in great detail, I think all of that dark and creepy vibe would have been ruined.

I really like Bod as a character. I think it's interesting that he doesn't have much fear of anything at this point. I think that maybe it's because he is very familiar with death and the afterlife. He knows he doesn't have anything to fear. When he was with the ghouls, and I got the feeling he was more afraid of becoming one of them than he was of anything else.

[Kristie]

I'm just over halfway through. I agree with you, Amanda. I like Bod too. I think that he doesn't have the same fears as other people would because of where and by whom he is being raised. But, I also like that he isn't completely unafraid. He has some fear when he should.

That was one of the issues that I had with Coraline. I felt that she would have had more fear (never having been exposed to those sorts of things before). I think that's partly why I am enjoying this story more.

[Jex]

I just found this site: http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour....

You can listen to the audio version and watch the narrator via video for free.

[Kayla]

@Jex:
Yeah, someone else mentioned it and I agreed that it sounded similar. The books are apparently quite different from the Disney movies (which really isn't surprising), and they're written as a bunch of short stories. If NG recommends them, I think I'll have to read them at some point haha. :]

And I hate when goodreads eats my posts too. :[ Still didn't post about the discussion questions lol, oops.