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

[Kaitlin]

Finished this one this morning. It took me awhile, but I really did enjoy it.

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?
The beginning was the scariest part. It was like an episode of Dateline. However, the beginning also held my favorite drawings. I wasn't into the illustrations as the book moved on (they didn't mesh with the story), but the ones in the beginning were super creepy.

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.
Great points! Orphans have special powers because they come from somewhere and nowhere all at once. They lost their earthly ties, so they are able to join the fantastical. I loved Bod's adoptive family and the fact that he was able to befriend the dead in the graveyard, though many of those companions were aware of what was coming.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?
There were a fair number of loose ends in here. I figured out the Jack Frost thing as soon as he appeared, but he had nothing (that I could perceive) to do with the legend of Jack Frost. That was a bit weak for me, and a poor resolution to the murder.

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?
I would prefer that there not be a sequel. This is about children reconciling with death and becoming themselves, and Bod's a teenager now.

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?
Silas isn't dead or alive, so he's on his own plane. People couldn't live normally if they remembered it. Maybe the dead can't speak of it because it's too upsetting for them to think of moving among the living, because their time is over.

6. How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?
There isn't much of that here. The only person who explores the dead is Bod, as the graveyard is vacant because nobody remembers the people who are buried there.

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?
Not really; I can't see these chapters standing on their own.

9. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman's first novel for young readers, Coraline?
Coraline is more straightforward and succinct. To me, it's also more frightening, which is weird given that this book is about a mass murder, ghosts, and living in a graveyard. Coraline shows the demons that are close by (or inside us), while this teaches us that death is coming, but not yet, and not here.

[Ashley Marie]

Finally finished!

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?
The part I found scariest was when Bod fell through the ghoul gate. I was totally freaked out by the descriptions of the ghouls and their dietary habits. I loved how Ms. Lupescu saved him, and that helped cement their relationship. Otherwise, I didn't find the book exceptionally scary. I'm not sure if that's because I'm an adult reading it, or if it's just not that scary at all.

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 had to giggle at how Bod becomes a "child-of-destiny." Had the Jacks not moved to eliminate Bod and murdered his family, he never would have gone to the graveyard and the Honor Guard would never have discovered their enclaves.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?
I'd have liked to know more about the Jacks, but I'm not sure it's necessary for this story. As a child, I wouldn't have cared about the Jacks beyond them being the bad guys. I think my desire for clarification and depth is a function of my age. Chuck Klosterman actually talks about this a little in his book, I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling With Villains - the idea that as we age we become more interested in the nuances of good vs. evil.

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?
I'm not sure I'd want a sequel, but if one was written, I think it would be interesting to read about Bod's children visiting the graveyard, rather than about Bod himself.

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 sad that Silas couldn't participate, but it makes sense as he's neither alive nor dead. I liked the Macabray as a snapshot of our mortality. Everything living eventually dies, but we avoid thinking about it as much as we can (why the living have to forget, maybe?).

6. How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?
I think Gaiman does much of this exploration with Bod as a proxy for the graveyard. Even though he's alive, I think he has much more in common with the dead than the living people he meets. Not really what this question is asking, but I loved the chapter where he haunts the bullies at school!

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?
I think they work both ways. I know he's published some of the chapters separately in anthologies, and they worked when I read them alone.

9. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman's first novel for young readers, Coraline?
I found Coraline to be much scarier. Despite that, I think they share the same atmosphere. Gaiman does dark and gloomy very, very well.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Kaitlin

5. True. I liked Silas and I wish we knew more about him

9. Yes good point. I thought Coraline was scarier too
----------

@Ash

1. yes that was probably the scariest bit. I think parts of this were more creepy than scary

2. It is the whole 'chicken or the egg'. By changing the future they created what they thought would happen in the future!

6. that was a great chapter!

9. Indeed!

[Kayla]

We actually found out quite a bit about Silas, from subtle hints and actions.

He lives in a box (that sounds mysteriously like a coffin), he doesn't venture out during the day, he's pale, his skin is cold, he's neither living or dead (implying he is undead), he's done unspeakable things, worse than even what the Jacks did (sucking people dry perhaps?)...Enough evidence for me to be pretty darn sure he's a vampire. :]

[Jex]

@Kayla ~ I was thinking something similar! They have a werewolf (or Hound of God) why not a vampire too?

[Sarah]

I didn't even put that together - but it seems right to me. I loved the ending of this book - I cried.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nice one Kayla! I hadn't thought of that either

[Kristie]

Lol. Kayla - that's what I thought. I've been assuming he was a vampire from almost the beginning and things keep happening that reinforce that belief - he can be killed, but not by things such as cars? I just thought everyone would assume that too, but now I see that's people had different ideas about him. So interesting.

[Amanda]

I finally finished The Graveyard Book yesterday.

1.Did this book scare you? If so, which part(s) and why? If not, why?
It didn't scare me, though I liked the creepiness of the first chapter.

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've read many books where the child-of-destiny also happens to be an orphan. I think it is especially true of orphans because a family usually keeps them content and in their place. An orphan has to make their own place in the world.

3.Some readers complain that the Jacks of All Trades aren’t explained enough. What do you think?
They weren't explained very much, but like real life, sometimes the answers are unsatisfying. I didn't need to know more because the story was about Bod and not the Jacks.

4.If there is a sequel, what would you want to see in it?
I'm not sure I'd like a sequel. But if there was one, maybe something like Silas in trouble and Bod coming to help, like he promised in the book.

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?
I think the living have to forget it, otherwise their world would be too open to all the possibilities. They need to concentrate on living their lives. Silas isn't living or dead, so I think that's why he can't take part. He seemed sad about it.

6. How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?
He gave a lot of glimpses into the previous lives of the ghosts, which helped us connect with them. The way they helped Bod also showed us a lot about who they were before and how they have held on to that.

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?
Definitely. Every new section was just a little disconnected from the previous one and it gave that short story feeling.

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?
It was especially true with his schooling, with each ghost teaching him something new. When he was hurt, a ghost was always there to help him or to tell others. Just like a very cozy neighborhood.

9. How does The Graveyard Book compare to Gaiman's first novel for young readers, Coraline?
I liked this more than Coraline. It was longer, for one thing, and the character development was a lot better. I thought we really got to know Bod as a person.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I enjoyed it more than Coraline too Amanda. And you're so right about that cozy neighbourhood feel to the graveyard. Made the end even more heartbreaking

[Adriane]

I'm at the tail end of the cow as they say! But I did eventually get this finished! I enjoyed the beginning and end more than I enjoyed the middle. But the end did make up for it.

1. I don't think I could describe the book as scary, well it didn't scare me!

3.I thought that they were quite confusing, I would have loved for a bit more detail and explanation on them. But I respect that if we knew too much they would lose some of their mystery!

4. No sequel. I am happy believing that Bod returns to the graveyard in death!

5.I don't think it would be wise for the living to remember , I am not sure most people are ready for that. But is it that the dead cant talk about it or that before then they had never had anyone else but dead people to talk to it about! Poor Silas, I think he feels left out but is pretty understanding about it! I wouldn't be!

6. He explores for me the idea that the dead have so much history to tell, which in reality is gone now. I love that Bod thinks a few times that the history he is being taught isn't quite right, and this is probably very true to life.

7.I didn't know that, which might explain why I found the middle section a bot unusual.

8. The Graveyard comes together to help raise Bod and teach him what they know, which is something slightly different from each person. Even though it's a graveyard he has a great upbringing if not quite the full rounded package of a 'normal' child!

9. Hmm I liked both, but neither are my favourites so far. I felt Coraline was consistently good, where as this one lost it a bit for me in the middle.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Better late than never! ;)
I like to think Bod is able to join the graveyard in death too. I would read a sequel, but I'm equally fine with this being a stand alone book

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT!


This topic is open for discussion of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman


Synopsis
After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages

[Jen]

I am sooo excited to finally read this book! I say "finally" because I have tried twice now to start it (I own it as an audiobook) but have yet to make it past (or even through) Chapter One.

It's hard for me to listen to audiobooks - except when I'm driving. And since I don't really leave the house to drive anywhere very often (I'm disabled). . .Well, let's just say that I'm counting on my buddy - hi, Caly! - to help keep me "reading" (listening) even when I'm just at home. ;-)

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Hi all!

Thanks for suggesting this Jen! This is my first buddy read but I am loving all the challenges I am in so I am sure this one will be fun too. 8-)

[Jen]

Caly wrote: "Hi all!

Thanks for suggesting this Jen! This is my first buddy read but I am loving all the challenges I am in so I am sure this one will be fun too. 8-)"

I love doing buddy reads, especially these days, since they help to keep me on track and away (or mostly away) from distractions. ;-)

And don't worry if you get too busy with other things, Caly. These informal buddy reads are really informal. You can just comment on things that particularly strike you, or that you particularly like, either as you're reading or after you're all done. I'll try to pop in as I'm reading, and since I'll be listening instead of reading, I imagine it'll be easier for me to remember to pop in. ;-)

[Sophie, The other one]

Hi, I started listening to this earlier this week. Have got through chapter one but this might keep me going with the rest of it

[Jen]

Sophie wrote: "Hi, I started listening to this earlier this week. Have got through chapter one but this might keep me going with the rest of it"

That's great, Sophie! Welcome! Please just put anything "spoiler-ish" in spoiler tags if you want to comment specifics, as I don't think Caly has started it, yet, and I know I haven't yet started it (or at least, I haven't yet made it past halfway through Chapter One). Hopefully Friday, for me! :-)

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Hi Sophie and Welcome!

Looking forward to what you think about the book and helping you to get through it. As Jen said I have not started it yet but plan to tomorrow. 8-)

[Chelsea]

Hi! I'd like to join in, if you don't mind. I haven't read anything by Neil Gaiman yet and have been looking for a chance to. Do you have a planned reading rate? Something like 50 pages a day? Or it's just an at-your-own-pace thing?

[Jen]

Hi Chelsea! Welcome! We don't mind at all having more readers. The more the merrier!

As far as I know, we are just doing a read-at-your-own-pace thing. Just put any spoilers in spoiler tags and that way everyone can catch up when they pass that part. (So please add what chapter your spoiler happens in.)

Happy reading, all! I might start it tomorrow (errr, later today, since it's already AFTER 4a here *grrr*) since I haven't had much luck reading my current read. Maybe The Graveyard Book will hold my interest better? It's a hope. :-)

[Sophie, The other one]

Hi, I'm enjoying it so far. Each chapter feels like a short story with recurring characters. Has been really interesting to see Bod grow with time and how the graveyard characters interact with him

Have got to Chapter 5 or 6... I've been driving more than normal the last couple of days which makes it go by quickly.

[Jen]

That's great, Sophie! I've been leaving the house a lot more lately, too, but my driving trips are usually no more than 10-15 minutes one way. So I expect to need to listen mostly at home, which means I'll be wearing my eye-mask and hoping "the dark" doesn't put me to sleep. ;-)

[Chelsea]

I've read the first two chapters. It's a very simple story, but compelling.

(view spoiler)[
I hope the Sleen "people" show up again, because it seems like the most interesting development so far. And I hope we meet their master! (Aka the guy who's actually dead and the oldest one there?)
(hide spoiler)]

[Chelsea]

Chapter 3 could easily be a stand-alone short story. I think I actually heard that at least one of the chapters was a short story published previously, so that makes sense. But I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. The chapter was good, but I hope it fits in with the rest of the book.

[Jen]

Chelsea wrote: "Chapter 3 could easily be a stand-alone short story. I think I actually heard that at least one of the chapters was a short story published previously, so that makes sense. But I'm not sure if that..."

That's weird. I'm not there yet, but . . . weird.

I just finished Chapter One! Progress at last! lol ;-) Third time's charmed is proving true with my "reading" of this audiobook. I hope to listen to more later, but for now, I need to check my Goodreads notifications, check on my W.O.B.B.L.E. team and captains' threads, and maybe do some reading to get past "just 10%" in the print book I'm also reading. :-)

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Hi all,

I started the book last night but I am only halfway through chapter 1. The plot is immediately engaging and NG has an interesting writing style that takes me a little bit to get use to, but I am sure I will enjoy it. The one thing that is throwing me off right now is I am reading the hardcover edition and it has illustrations. I have not read a book like that in a long long time and for some reason it is very disconcerting. I have a very busy weekend going on so I may not get to far till Monday but I will hit it hard next week ( I only read one book at a time) . 8-)

[Chelsea]

I'm through Chapter 5 and the Interlude. It still seems like each chapter is a short story with continuous characters since each chapter isn't necessarily dependent on the ones before it. The only exception is when the villain is in the chapter. So, I'm guessing each chapter is just a sample of his life as Bod grows older and then hopefully at the end we'll have some kind of face-off with the villain and a proper ending to the story. But it's enjoyable enough so far.

What do yall think?

[Jen]

Wow, Caly. Illustrations? Really? That sounds so FUN! I wish I had that edition, then it would be MUCH easier to focus on it.

I'm still ready to start Chapter Two! I have a lot of trouble focusing on audiobooks when I'm just at home, especially now since I'm also trying to read a book for my W.O.B.B.L.E. team -- and this book isn't it! :-(

But hopefully I'll get to spend some time with it later tonight. ;-)

[Jen]

I just finished Chapter Three! :-)

(I'm 31% through the story.)

I thought Chapter Three fit with the story. Silas had said, in Chapter One (I think), (view spoiler)[that he'd have to leave at times but would find someone to stand in for him as Bod's guardian. (hide spoiler)] So Miss Lupesku (sp?) made sense to the story. And Bod is growing up (he's six in this chapter), so I thought his actions and the adventure he had fit well. :-)

I'm now continuing on to Chapter Four! Can't wait to hear what's going to happen next. :-)

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

I just finished Chapter 2 last night and I will say I am definitely beginning to enjoy it. And I think it makes sense that the chapters jump ahead like they seem to be doing because obviously the book would be way to long and slow moving if we didn't see some progression quickly.

8-) Glad you are starting to get into the book Jen!

[Jen]

Thanks, Caly! I actually haven't listened to any more of it, YET. I had a letter to write, then some Swap-Bot things received today for electronic swaps to rate, another e-swap that I needed to finish and two that I needed to send, and I've Fantasia 2000 playing for the past six or so hours on repeat and keep getting transported by the music. (Some of my MOST favorite classical pieces are in this.)

But I'm planning to listen to at least 30 minutes worth before sleepytime. Then tomorrow I hope to get some more dedicated reading in to make it to at least the 60% mark. :-)

I'm glad you're enjoying it! And yes, it makes total sense to me that each chapter is so far separated by years (he was one in Chapter One, who-knows-how-old in Chapter Two, six in Chapter Three, and now in Chapter Four I think he's eight (so I guess I have made it a bit past 31%). :-)

[Chelsea]

I'm done! I rated it as 4 stars since I enjoyed it but felt that it could have been developed more and I was slightly disappointed with part of the ending.

(view spoiler)[
I don't see why Bod had to lose his Freedom of the Graveyard just because he turned 15 and became a "man." What's the problem with him going out in the world but still keeping his abilities to Fade and whatnot? I think I'm so bothered by it because the author gave no reason for it, other than that he had "grown up," but I don't believe that as a reason.

I also think the story could have been developed a lot more, showing more of Bod's relationships with people in the Graveyard, telling more of what Ms. Lupescu taught him, explaining more about the Honour Guard, etc. It seemed like a missed opportunity.

But it was fun as a whole:)
(hide spoiler)]

[Chelsea]

Oh, one more thing...

(view spoiler)[
The fact that Bod was the "chosen one" to end the Jack of All Trades was way underplayed, in my opinion. There was absolutely no build up and no satisfaction that the Jacks were over. Remembering that makes me want to rate the book 3.5... It's too bad that Gaiman missed out on so many cool story opportunities.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jen]

I've only just finished Chapter Four. I listened to it last night before sleepytime, but even though I really did listen to it -- and was awake for the whole of it -- I found upon waking that I was too confused to continue.

So I backed it up and "re-listened" to most of Chapter Four. And I'm still confused, but I think I have the events straight. In short, Bod (view spoiler)[wants a headstone for Liza, so he went down into a grave [the ghoul-gate grave?] and took that brooch. Then he found some clothes in the former-gardener's shed and visited a pawnbroker "outside." The pawn guy called a friend but Liza showed up and helped Bod hide. The man Jack was called but did NOT show up while Bod was there. . . (hide spoiler)] Or did he? I got lost around that part, I admit. Then(view spoiler)[ Bod returned to the graveyard, returned the brooch, gave the man Jack's card (which he took from the pawnbroker) to Silas, and went home to the Owenses. (hide spoiler)]

And I think that was where the chapter ended, but I'm now thinking I need to back it up a minute or three to find out.

But happily I'm about to leave to go get some dinner for my Mom and me, so I should be able to better focus on Chapter Five since I'll be driving. Driving and audiobooks always work together for me. :-)

[Jen]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Chelsea! I'm enjoying it, too, but it's kind of hard as an audiobook because of the people/scene changes. So I'm doing a lot of "wait! what was that? best back it up a bit." :-)

[Jen]

I have now finished the Interlude that follows Chapter Five, but though I've now listened to it twice, I still could not tell you what it was about beyond that it involved the man Jack.

So. . .a re-listen is in order once I can break away from distractions (in other words, once I can get offline). Then I'll be on to Chapter Six! (Which will frustratingly be "Chapter Seven" per my Audible app. *grrr*)

:-)

[Jen]

I finished my audio read of The Graveyard Book an hour or three ago. I cried in the end.

I really enjoyed the story. Chelsea, I understand your "complaints" (your final spoilers), but for me, those things didn't diminish the story. They just "were what they were." I didn't feel dissatisfied with anything, though, I was a wee bit disappointed that Bod (view spoiler)[lost his "Graveyard skills" and can no longer see ghosts. I mean, he's only 15! That may be full-grown (though I doubt it), but he's not truly an adult, yet. Fifteen to me seems awfully young to be sent out into the world on one's own. (hide spoiler)]

But as I said, I was satisfied with how the story was told and things just were how they were for me. And since the story was well-written (and the performance for this audio edition was most excellent), "how they were" was pretty perfect for me. :-)

I haven't written my review or rated it yet (and probably won't for a few days, at least). I think I'll probably end up giving it 4.5 (or maybe just four) stars. I'll need to ruminate on that a bit. ;-)

[Chelsea]

Jen, do you still need help figuring out Chapter 4? I'll answer just in case.

(view spoiler)[
He didn't go through the ghoul-gate to get the brooch, he went through the F. mausoleum to the grave where the Sleer/Indigo Man is with the three objects.

Jack was NOT called by the pawnbrokers because they were ultimately too scared and then Bod took the card with him so they couldn't call later.

For the Interlude, I think the point was just to remind the reader that Jack was still out there looking for Bod, but also that he was part of some kind of organisation and his colleagues were disappointed in him. So not necessarily a huge plot point.

And yes, I agree that 15 is very young to be considered grown-up... But that doesn't seem unique to this book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jen]

Oh, Thanks, Chelsea! I completely missed that. (About the ghoul gate vs. the Indigo Man.)

I did sort of realize that the Sleer (is THAT what he was called? Sounded like "the Seer" in the audio most of the time - and some of the time it did sound like the Sleer, so I was confused - and that didn't make any sense to me) and the ghoul gate were two different things in the final chapter, when Bod (view spoiler)[opened the ghoul gate to trap some of the Jacks and then went to a different tomb/grave - where the Sleer was - to rescue Chelsea (hide spoiler)] (though it did NOT click, I do now realize that I recognized this).

I did figure out that Jack was not called (he was instead (view spoiler)[200 miles away (hide spoiler)]) on my third listen to Chapter Four, since I backed it up to about 20 minutes into it on my third try. ;-)

And I did figure out that the Interlude was showing us (view spoiler)[the man Jack among others in a sort of fraternity. It was like a moment out of time, so to speak, until the final chapter when the other Jacks - Jack Dandy, Jack Tar, Jack Catch (?; can't remember the third one's name for sure) - showed up (hide spoiler)] and then the Interlude made sense. (That was also on my third try.)

I couldn't really tell when the story took place. I figure it was supposed to be sometime in the 1900s because of the dates on the graves. (Or maybe 1800s? The only dates I can now remember were 1600s, 1700s, maybe 1800s.) But I'm just not sure. Were cars ever mentioned? Wait. . .

Buses were mentioned. So it would have to have been sometime in the mid-to-late 1900s at the earliest, wouldn't you think? So (view spoiler)[15 would have been young even then. Though probably not to the denizens of Bod's graveyard, who were all from earlier times. (hide spoiler)] Hmmm, so I guess maybe that did make sense? ;-)

Thanks for the explanations! I'm still feeling a bit befuddled about some things, though I'm now drawing a blank on what those things were.

Oh! I remember one: so the Indigo Man (view spoiler)[and the Sleer are one and the same? (hide spoiler)]

[Jen]

I think I may need to buy this book. Or at least check a print edition out from the library. And not just so that I can re-read it in print this time and hopefully make more sense of it. . .

I'd like to find an illustrated edition to see the illustrations, too. :-)

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Jen wrote: "I think I may need to buy this book. Or at least check a print edition out from the library. And not just so that I can re-read it in print this time and hopefully make more sense of it. . .

I'd l..."

Jen,

If you would like I will give you my copy (which is illustrated) when I finish the book. I am happy to mail it to you.

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

That said, I am currently in the middle of Chapter 4.

I loved chapter 3 especially when we found out who Miss Lupescu was and of course her name then made sense. I also loved the description of the "Hounds of God".

And I can see where this would be a hard book to listen to because they keep introducing so many new characters. I am most intrigued by Silas and his ability to interact with both the living and the dead.

[Chelsea]

Jen,

(view spoiler)[
Yes, the Sleer and the Indigo Man are the same. The Indigo Man was just the fake physical representation that the Sleer projected to scare the kids. The actual physical description of the Sleer was given in the chapter where the main Jack was taken as their new master.

And I definitely think it is set "today," as Scarlett talked about everyone her age having a cell phone. Even though the newest ghost resident was from the 1800s, it was mentioned several times that the graveyard was full and the town had started a new one many years before, so it makes sense that there's no new residents.
(hide spoiler)]

Any more questions?

Caly- Yes, I thought it was interesting how different people call the "Hounds of God" different things depending on their opinion of them.

[Jen]

Caly wrote: "Jen,

If you would like I will give you my copy (which is illustrated) when I finish the book. I am happy to mail it to you."

Caly, you don't have to do that! Don't you want to keep it for eventual rereading? (Or maybe you need to finish the book before deciding? I'm okay with that.)

Please, though, only send it to me if you hate it and never want to read it again.

And what did you mean when you said, "Then Miss Lupescu's name made sense"? I don't remember her being called anything besides Miss Lupescu and "Lupescu" didn't mean anything to me beyond just her name. ??? (Even when I "focus" on audiobooks outside of the car, I STILL miss a lot. *grrr*)

And it wasn't so much all of the many people we met that was confusing, especially since they were each voiced by a different person (or, in the case where someone played multiple smaller roles, they gave each character different accents/intonations). It was more the situations and the places, I think. I had to really pay attention to keep track of where Bod was and when. A split-second's inattention was enough to cause me to miss a transition. It was all of the many characters - and the many voices giving them life - that made this such a fun book to listen to. :-)

Chelsea wrote: "Jen,


(spoilers removed)..."

I don't think I have any more questions, but I must have zoned out when the "Indigo Man" actually appeared. All I can remember are mentions of him, but not meetings. And I had totally forgotten the mentions of cell phones. *sigh* My memory is pretty awful.

And I don't remember the "Hounds of God" being called anything other than "Hounds of God" . . . unless my memory is actually right in recalling that (view spoiler)[Silas referred to them a the "Honor Guard"? (hide spoiler)] But you're making me think I missed more of different names for them.

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Jen, I rarely reread my books, and space is an issue, so I usually just take them to the used bookstore for credit for other books. I really am happy to share it with you. And what I was referring to was lupine is the classification for wolves therefore Lupescu was a hint.

[Jen]

Caly wrote: "Jen, I rarely reread my books, and space is an issue, so I usually just take them to the used bookstore for credit for other books. I really am happy to share it with you. And what I was referring ..."

Okay, still though, only send it to me if you're sure you won't ever want to reread it. :-)

And I see now (re: Lupescu). I know what lupine means but it never occurred to me that her name might be based on it. lol ;-)

[Chelsea]

When Ms. Lupescu was first talking about her true identity, she mentioned that while some people called her kind werewolves, she called herself a Hound of God, and the ghouls (as her enemy) called her a Hell Hound. So there are different names for her kind depending on your opinion of them. But yes, she was also a member of the Honour Guard. But I don't think that necessarily applies to all Hounds.

[Jen]

I see. Thanks, Chelsea!

(Do you have a fabulous memory or are you looking things up for me? No matter which, but especially if the latter, THANK YOU!!!)

:-)

[Chelsea]

You're welcome.

I have always thought I have a horrible memory, but I did indeed remember all of that. I don't remember names well, though, like the name of the mausoleum over the Sleer tomb. And it took several times of looking back to remember "Sleer." And I def don't remember all the Jacks!

:)