The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - Restarting April 1st 2018

[Noella]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[Eww nasty, why was there a worm in his foot? (hide spoiler)]

[Berit]

I can't wait to read this, but I probably won't get there until Sunday or Monday to be honest :-(

[Noella]

Amy wrote: "Chapter six [spoilers removed]"

She gives me the creeps!

[C.P.]

I've just started this. Only read the prologue so far, but I love the writing style. And the story seems really intriguing. (view spoiler)[When he was referring to his memories and how they were starting to come back, I could definitely relate. I'm only in my twenties, but I don't really remember my childhood. When I go somewhere though, everything starts rushing back. It's fascinating. (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

28% chapter 5 or 6 (can't remember) (view spoiler)[That was so gross when he was removing that worm from his foot. And I don't even want to know what it means. Hettie and her family are way interesting. Obviously they aren't just farmers.<\spoilers> (hide spoiler)]

[Noella]

Amy wrote: "End of chapter seven [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Definitely more traumatic. I was horrified that he would do something like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Noella]

Ending
(view spoiler)[
My interpretation of the book was that the narrator used these paranormal elements to help describe his childhood as a nightmare and he saw the Hempstocks as a source of comfort so he gave them magical powers. There's not much of a closure (Did Lettie actually die?) I think it's one of those books that are left a mystery and up to the reader to interpret. (hide spoiler)]

[Berit]

Finally! I started this, it is a bit unusual, but in a very good way. I'm thinking if there were really goes I wouldn't mind them handing out money, but in a nice way.

[Berit]

I am seriously getting a little creeped out, I got goosebumps :-) liking it very much so far.

[Berit]

Wow! That was a short story with a powerful message. I will need a little time to let that also again.

[C.P.]

59% I love his writing style. It's just beautiful. (view spoiler)[Ursula, the thing, is so creepy. It's an interesting story. It's interesting to analyze and consider the reliability of the narrator. So creepy. Very interested to see what happens.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

Finished. I think this was an interesting read, but I never felt fully connected. (view spoiler)[The ending really leaves the story up to the readers interpretation. I like that style. There are so many different conclusions that could be drawn.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Sarah, can you please change the date into April 10th? Jamie and I will read it for April challenge. Thank you!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 10th 2015. Happy Reading ☺

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[Rachmi]

Jamie, you haven't started this book either? Although it's late from our schedule, I hope you can still join me as I'm reading it now :)

[Rachmi]

1% Just as usual, the writing is beautiful. It's been a while since I read Gaiman books and now I realize that I've missed his books so much.

[Rachmi]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[And now the magic begin. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ that scene with the worm is so disgusting! and is kinda scary for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[I honestly cannot guess how the boy will escape from Ursula.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[That scene when the boy is almost drown by his father is so intense. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Jamie, I wish you can join me so we can discuss it because I have lots of things to discuss. But well...just want to let you know that I finished it and love it.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 1st 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Raven]

Started reading. Didn't expect the action to come soon! Mr. Gaiman's writing always manages to invoke a warm feeling in me, I always love to read his books.

[Raven]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Wow, he had a worm in his foot, and I wonder why it was in there? The kid is pretty calm about this, though. I would had screamed to death, if I found such thing. (hide spoiler)]

[Raven]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ The Dad already had started to give me bad vibes since the time he got infatuated with Ursula. And that was so wrong! Who the heck drowns his own child?!!! And trying to claim he's a good guy, just because he doesn't hit his kid. I think doing this stuff is worse than hitting. (hide spoiler)]

[Raven]

Finished the book! It was a really nice read. I am not going to discuss individual chapters, until others start posting about them :) Discussing with others is more fun for me :D

[Ashley]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ Not quite sure what direction this is heading in yet. I'm interested in seeing just how powerful Lettie and her family are. I'm also interested in how the childhood part of the story and the adult part of the story will end up intertwining. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ That chapter was pretty intense. These chapters make sense, but I wish they felt a bit more cohesive. I feel pretty bad for the main character, he has to deal with so much. He could have done a better job of hiding his hate for Ursula if he knew nobody would believe him, but he definitely didn't deserve what he got. (hide spoiler)]

[Raven]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I know right! I felt pretty bad for the boy when that happened. But I feel he wouldn't had been able to hide his hate anyways, because children are honest, some times. The dad is definitely a psycho, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[ Wondering when we're going to go back to the adult version. I'm hoping for at least a chapter or 2 of adult m/c to see the connection. I'm not that interested in this book, it doesn't seem like my sort of thing, but it isn't bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Done: (view spoiler)[ I actually really liked the ending. The whole thing with Lettie was super sad, and I didn't expect him to lose his memory like that. I found it really interesting how the main character had visited Hempstock farm several times after his childhood, but he never remembers. The stuff with the cat was sweet too. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Lakhsesis wrote: "Chapter 5 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I freaked out just reading it. I have no clue how he was so calm as he pulled it out. Ugh. Gross. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That's one thing I struggle with during Gaiman books is how his writing can seem so scattered, but he ties things together. But yeah, it's awful how much he has to deal with!! I wish he could hide how he felt about Ursula more, but as Lakhsesis said, children are typically brutally honest. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ I always get so lost during Gaiman's book because of his style, so I definitely feel like I'm going to have to go back and reread some things to make such I got everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Ashley wrote: "Done: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed the ending!! It's really bittersweet that he goes as often as he does and never remembers. :C (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Opening few chapters. Captivating style. Captures the child’s sense of imagination so well.

[Karen]

To ch8. I’m sure our child narrator thinks these events happened, but it makes little sense. Is it an imaginative attempt to order his world?

[Karen]

Up to ch11. Strange, and seeing it as a child means lots of details are patchy.

[Karen]

Up to ch13. That’s a test of character.

[Karen]

Completed. Review on home page. Definitely an unusual read. Not entirely sure to what extent these events are real, but it doesn’t matter. Short but one that’ll stick with readers.9