The Next Best Book Club discussion
Group Read Discussions
>
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
date
newest »
newest »
Hello everyone! I am excited to have my book chosen for our October discussion. "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" is the first story that I've read by Neil Gaiman. My copy was only 178 pages long. Did anyone feel that the length was too short for a book? Did it work for you?
This book was my first Neil Gaiman book as well, and I was completely enthralled by it! When I was finished it, I immediately checked on Goodreads for his other books so I can read more by him. I was also a little surprised by the length, and it left me wanting more, but to me that is a sign of a good book and author. In my opinion, if the author gives us every little detail and wraps up a story nice and neat, there is little room for the reader's own imagination to wander and create. For this story, I really felt the overwhelming fear and dread felt by the main character in facing his nemesis, Ursula. I was rooting for him the whole time to get away and find away out of the sticky mess. I fell in love with and wanted to visit and be comforted by the Hempstock ladies as well. I am partial to stories with elements of peculiarity and this one does not disappoint! Great pick!
First, it won a bunch of awards, so that is often a good sign. Neil is one of those authors I have been planning to read for about 5 years now and The Ocean at the End of the Lane was a perfect first read of a Gaiman piece . Han Christian Andersen dressed in black. Loved the pace of the novel.
Kinda like a child's nightmare. I found it sometimes a bit difficult to follow but an interesting story.The aspect of a childs fear prevalent. What I found fascinating was the equation of giving people what they want to being evil as well as the ability to rewrite the story in peoples minds.
I listened to this book, and was enamored from the beginning (No surprise, as the it's the author reading the story). One good thing about listening versus just reading, he sings the childhood songs. It gives a little extra to the story, especially if you're not familiar with the song/tune beforehand.
I think Neil Gaiman is amazing. I have read almost all of his books and this one is definetly one of my favorites. The book moves from dark to very dark and you are thinking to yourself, am I reading what I think I am reading? very creepy and disturbing. I think that for such a small book, it feels much longer, since the development of the story does not feel quick but it's over quickly. Not sure if I am fully describing it right, but I really liked this book.
I think Neil Gaiman writes beautiful novels. His stories are catching, his characters are true and rich and his language is like reading poetry. I loved this one, I really did, and I am a bit surprised over myself by it, cause "American Gods" is more my kind of reading. But it's the share quality of the writing that makes it to be one of my absolute favorites. If you like humor, you should try "Good Omens". He wrote that one together with Terry "Discworld" Pratchet, and it's totally diffrent from "The ocean....", but hillarious. I read somwhere that during the writing proces of "Good Omens" they rang eachother and red to eachother what they had written, and the whole point of the telephone call was not to laugh first......
Although beautifully written, well organized and full of symbolism, for me, Neil Gaiman is too difficult to follow. I, too, listen to audio, as I spend an inordinate amount of time in my car, but I kept finding that I was easily distracted and not drawn in while listening to "The Ocean at the End of the Lane". Perhaps fantasy is just not my thing! I look forward, however, to following the comments posted here as I do think Gaiman is very talented.
I'm not a big fan of Gaiman. I really only Loved Coraline. I couldn't finish The Graveyard Book or Anansi Boys. Even the Sandman series was hit or miss for me. In the beginning, I liked the idea of the boy having a fantastical view of Ursula as evil just because she was his father's mistress. In other words, what could be explained as an adult affair takes on this mythical battle suddenly. However, when it started to lose that thread and become wholly fantasy, I was disappointed. Gaiman really plays up the mystery and ambiance here while sacrificing character which has never really been his strong point. His stories are myths and campfire tales that settle for archetypes and flat, non-distinguishable narrators. Ultimately, I felt the same way I felt about The Night Circus. A friend put it best: " a cake made entirely out of fondant appearing beautiful and delicate, but with no layers."
I read this one when it first came out. I absolutely adored the first half of the novel, but then I lost interest :-/
Jennifer wrote: "I listened to this book, and was enamored from the beginning (No surprise, as the it's the author reading the story). One good thing about listening versus just reading, he sings the childhood song..."I listened to it as well and so agree about the songs!
Did anyone notice that the back jack photograph of the boy on the drainpipe is actually of the author at age 7? Wikipedia said that some events in the book were drawn from Gaiman's childhood, such as his father's car being stolen and the thief committing suicide in the vehicle.
My first Gaiman book too. I couldn't get thorough the book - short as it is, it didn't keep my attention. But, I LOVED it on audio. In fact I've listened to it more than once. Perhaps as others have commented, it's Neil's voice that keeps ones attention? Fantasy writing is not my thing but this really works as a child's memory. I found it beautiful.
I read this shortly after it came out and loved it. But I am a Gaiman fan so I wasn't surprised by that. It was very like a child's vision of what was happening as remembered by the adult. Lovely writing - for me it was very fantastical.
Tina wrote: "Did anyone notice that the back jack photograph of the boy on the drainpipe is actually of the author at age 7? Wikipedia said that some events in the book were drawn from Gaiman's childhood, such..."I attended a panel at ComicCon 2013 where Neil Gaiman talked about this book and read the first chapter out loud. He told the story of the car being stolen etc. and said ti was strange because he had completely forgotten it until a few years before he wrote the book when his father brought it up.
He also said he wrote the book for his wife, Amanda Palmer, because he never talked about his childhood and she had so many questions. He said "Leave it to me to write my childhood as fantasy."
This is the first book I've read by Gaiman. I really enjoyed his writing style and thought the pace and amount of detail were perfect. Though a short read, the story was complex and imaginative. A dark fairy tale making you feel as if you are in the middle of a child's nightmare. The bathtub scene was horrifying and made me extremely uncomfortable - which I'm sure was the point. I'm inspired to read more books by Gaiman. Great selection for October.
I'm so happy to finally have the time to comment in this group again! A new job and a family member's illness took over my life for a while, but I'm happy that things are finally looking up. Anyway...I stumbled upon this novel in a hospital waiting room. The short length and fantasy elements made this a delightful read and a great afternoon escape. I'm excited to delve deeper as others finish reading.
This is also the first book I've read by Gaiman. If this book is a reflection of his work, I will be reading his other books...but first I need to finish this one. I am intrigued with this book.
I'm anxious to read comments about what each of you think the reality behind the fantasy was. I finished the book quickly, in one sitting with a break for lunch, and I enjoyed it immensely. It's obvoius to me that something significant happened that was interpreted as fantasy by the children's vivid, childhood imaginations. But as an adult revisiting his childhood, what really happened during that period of his life? What was real and what was fantasy? And what, if any, part of the fantasy are we to suspend disbelief and accept as otherworldly, but fact nonetheless?
I'm not a fantasy lover, but I enjoyed this book. I specially loved the end!
Barbara wrote: "I'm anxious to read comments about what each of you think the reality behind the fantasy was. I finished the book quickly, in one sitting with a break for lunch, and I enjoyed it immensely. It's ob..."Barbara, I'm glad you brought this up. It's been awhile since I listened to the book, but I remember pondering just this. It was clear that something was going on that was beyond a child's comprehension. I can't wait for responses and interpretations from readers.
Someone else mentioned that this novel is at least partly autobiographical, so some answers may lie there. I think I remember reading that Gaiman's father had a car that was stollen and the thief committed suicide in it.
Hi, I'm new here -- I just finished the book. To answer Tina's original question: I thought it did read more like a novella than a novel; no complex sub-plots, only one really fleshed-out character, fairly short and quick to read. It reminded me a bit of Jenny Nimmo's books, where the big events of childhood are wrapped up in fantasy by the children experiencing them. If I were pressed on the question of "what was real/fantasy", I'd say the money troubles, the kitten, the suicide, the affair, and the violence were real. All of those would be confronting in different ways for a child, and it's so much easier to think of a monster or higher design linking these events together rather than the fallibility of your parents/other adults/your worldview.
Cory wrote: "Hi, I'm new here -- I just finished the book. To answer Tina's original question: I thought it did read more like a novella than a novel; no complex sub-plots, only one really fleshed-out character..."I agree with what you have said. Additionally, I would add that it seems the boy is already a kind of outcast within his own family. Because of this, these fantasies may be his kind of escape to a place where he is accepted.
I wanted to ask what you thought about the theme of forgetting and remembering. The character goes through cycles, each time remembering only to forget again. I feel sorry for him, having to relive it each time he visits. Do you see these cycles as being restorative to him? Or only for Lettie?
I think the cycles are absolutely restorative for him; it seems like one can infer from the funeral as a point of departure from the real world that it's extreme events which require a lot of processing that necessitate the remembrance of the magical past. Following that, there is a forgetting, lest it be too damaging to remember. I felt that it was implied by the forgetting, and by the fact that most people have dreamlike or fuzzy childhood memories, that it's possible for any of us to be in the narrator's shoes -- having potentially gone through something incredible, but only remembering when it really matters to us.
I am halfway through the book (reading the majority of that half last night) and this book took a major turn into Fantasyland. It is disturbingly intriguing. Gaiman is great with the details. It is like I am living this dream/nightmare/imagination with the kid.
I agree with the idea of only fully remembering when it's needed or necessary.The idea reminds me a little of It by Stephen King. Some things are just too much traumatic to remember so our minds "protect" themselves.
Kandice wrote: "I agree with the idea of only fully remembering when it's needed or necessary.The idea reminds me a little of It by Stephen King. Some things are just too much traumati..."
Great connection! I think like this "restorative" or "selective" memory comes from the need to block out the negative things in his life. His childhood was full of dark parts that anyone would want to forget.
Very interesting comments. I was hooked on the story, the horror and the pathos, but really confused. I agree that the boy was indeed the only really fleshed-out character, but I was intrigued by the Hempstocks and what they represented, what they embodied: the present that reached back into the distant historical past. Reality. Fantasy. Dreams and projections. And I was upset when Lettie 'died.'
Carolyn, I was reading somewhere else that the Hempstocks also represent the triple goddess stuff of maiden/mother/crone, too; I thought that was interesting/added to my interpretation of them. I love how you've put it -- the present reaching back into the historical past. I got a sense that was a core idea in the book :)
Do you think this book should have a sequel, perhaps for Lettie, to resolve some unanswered questions? What about a prequel with the Hempstocks, so we can understand how they made their original voyage on the ocean at the end of the lane?
Tina wrote: "Do you think this book should have a sequel, perhaps for Lettie, to resolve some unanswered questions? What about a prequel with the Hempstocks, so we can understand how they made their original v..."Absolutely not. I think part of the allure of Gaiman's writing is that you get plopped in a story with little background. He tells it as if you should know what's going on when in reality you are just slowly putting pieces together as you read.
The fact that their history is so vague or non-existent in the narrative makes you imagine what you will. Or not. Whatever you feel like doing. That's one of his charms for me.
I agree with Kandice; I think a sequel would take away from the original. If you take the interpretation that the events are a symbol/cipher for something which happened but didn't happen in that magical way, then I'm not sure how a prequel/sequel would work without affecting that part of the story too much.
A dear friend suggested I'd like "The Ocean at the End of the Lane," which got me to thinking. How often do I actually read books that friends, relatives & coworkers recommend? Conversely, if I recommend titles myself, shouldn't I try to be a better reader of the ones that are recommend to me? Does this sound familiar to you? Do you believe in "book karma" ?
Tina wrote: "A dear friend suggested I'd like "The Ocean at the End of the Lane," which got me to thinking. How often do I actually read books that friends, relatives & coworkers recommend? Conversely, if I rec..."I absolutely do! I try not to recommend books to others unless specifically asked, but sometimes I just know in my heart a book will speak to a friend. I hope they read it!
On the other hand, I do try to read books recommended to me, but if I don't already own them, or go out and buy them as soon as they are recommended, I often forget. O_o
Cory, great comment - the Hempstocks as triple goddess: maiden, mother, crone. Throughout history there has been this dichotomy, this difficulty (for men) with the simultaneous concepts of woman as virgin, great earth mother, Goddess and whore.And I agree that a prequel or sequel would probably not add anything to the story.
OMG Carolyn, the more I think about it -- there is certainly a dichotomy between virgin and whore within the novel, a pretty literal battle, even. That had not even occurred to me. And the POV character didn't seem to me to have a solid handle on/way to deal with either side.
I must dig out an essay I wrote (at least a hundred years ago) on this very subject and send some bits from it that relate to the story. A fascinating subject.
Carolyn wrote: "I must dig out an essay I wrote (at least a hundred years ago) on this very subject and send some bits from it that relate to the story. A fascinating subject."That would be great. :D
Kandice, I'll dig out the info, in a day or two, but in the meantime I would like to comment that I do recommend books to people all the time.It probably drives some of them crazy, but when I love a book and am excited about it, I have to yell about it - hoping someone will be excited too and we can discuss.
Gaiman, we meet again! It has been just over two years since I read anything by this fantastic author so I was quite happy when TNBBC picked this one for their Halloween read this month. A what a suiting pick it was...This book is dark and has the capabilities of making your skin crawl, it is however also whimsical. Just like childhood. There is only one other person that I can think of that writes about childhood this well and that's Roald Dahl. Both Gaiman and Dahl seem to be able to recall so well what it's like to be a child, including the dark side of it. Growing up is scary and it's hard but it's also wonderful. While Dahl is no longer with us, I'm thankful that there are authors like Gaiman around that can still make us feel like children.
After returning to his childhood home after attending a funeral, the unnamed protagonist recalls the time he use to spend with his neighbour and childhood friend, Lettie Hempstock. He ventures over to his old neighbours and finds Lettie's mother and recalls that Lettie has gone away to "Australia". The protagonist initially remembers very little of his childhood but recalls a pond which Lettie used to say was her ocean and decides to venture down there to recollect some childhood memories. Sitting by the "pond" the man begins to remembers , it started with him losing his room as a boy so that his parents could let it out for some additional income. The opal miner had stayed with them, but after losing all the money that his friends and family gave him, he stole the family car and committing suicide in it. This death causes something unnatural to be released in to the world. While out with his father to retrieve the car, is when he meets Lettie. He is taken back to her home and introduced to her mother and grandmother.
The unnatural spirit that was released when the opal miner died believes that money will make people happy but it's leaving money for people in very horrible ways. When the narrator wakes up choking on a coin, he seeks help from Lettie. The boy quickly comes to realize that there is something very special about the Hempstock women and when he asks about their exact age they never give him a concise answer. The women decide that the spirit must be dealt with and brought back to its own world. Against her mother and grandmother's discretion, Lettie convinces them to let her bring the young protagonist along with her to banish the spirit. Lettie tells the boy that he must not touch ANYTHING while he is in the spirit world and to hold her hand the entire time. The boy fails at this only once while in the surreal spirit world.
After the spirit has been banished, the boy returns home from his adventure believing that everything has returned to normal. He finds however, that he has a gaping black hole in the bottom of his foot in which he can feel something moving around. He pulls out a worm from the hole in his foot and puts it down a drain, though he didn't get all of it. The boy deals with the incident the way a curious child would, but as a reader this scene is has some serious gross factors and leaves you reeling!
The morning after removing the worm, the boy's parent's introduce him to Ursula, their new nanny. Everyone seems to love Ursula, except for the boy. He knows something is not quite right with her. She won over his sister with treats and adoration and his father with too much adoration (complete with some scenes no young boy should ever have to witness his parent doing) all while his mother becomes less present in the home and this is when is nightmare starts to begin...
Sounds unnerving and awesome right?! It really is. Gaiman never lets you down. Gaiman, like in many of his other novels, likes to have mythological connections to his stories because in a way, it keeps them all connected. For example, Lettie, her mother, and her grandmother sound like the triple goddess of mythology: the maiden, the mother and the crone. Equally, Ursula seems to represents the whore. The whole novel seems to revolve around similar dichotomies, such as childhood and adulthood as well as what we perceive as real and what we imagine.
Another interesting item that's worth noting, just off some quick research, apparently some of the incidents in the book are in relation to some experiences that Gaiman had as a child, for example Gaiman's father's car was actually stolen and the thief did commit suicide in it.
This novel is less than 200 pages so it makes for nice quick read and I think you'll find yourself being properly creeped out and just in time for Halloween. You may even find yourself recollecting on your own wacky childhood adventures. A must-read for any adult that still has a child-like spirit.
Thanks for this summary and interpretation, very well done. I wrote a long note about the dichotomous relationship men have to women too, with the Hempstock women in mind, but it seems to have disappeared somewhere in the ether.
This was my first Gaiman book and overall I enjoyed it. I felt very moved by the powerlessness and isolation that the protagonist feels when Ursula moves in with the family. I can remember that terrible and frustrating sense when you are a child and have no control over your circumstances around you. In the book I own, Gaiman provides a recipe for Hempstocks' lemon pancakes which maybe sometime I'll try.
Peggy wrote: "This was my first Gaiman book and overall I enjoyed it. I felt very moved by the powerlessness and isolation that the protagonist feels when Ursula moves in with the family. I can remember that te..."Could you post it here for us? :D
My post about this book went into Goodreads. I'll find it and post it. I'm also doing research into The Roman Goddess Isis, because apparently there is a specific reason why this acronym was chosen by ... we all know who...
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
It (other topics)It (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Stephen King (other topics)
The discussion of The Ocean at the End of the Lane will be led by Tina!