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The Graveyard Book
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Gaiman, Neil - The Graveyard Book - December PNR/UF BOM-Start Date December 21st 2011
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Discussion Questions for Chapters 1-2"1. No, I do not believe in ghosts but I've wondered.
2. First impression so far - It's interesting. I like the premise of the story.
3. Who is Jack? I would like to know! Sounds like a mercenary, but who is he working for? And why kill Nobody and his family? Perhaps his father was someone's business rival?
4. It is a creepy beginning! I think the creepiest part would be Jack saying that he had not failed yet, and that there was time to tie up the last thread. This, coming after reading a review that mentioned (view spoiler), made me afraid for Nobody. I have an idea of how the story will end now. Edit: No, still finishing up chapter 2: the "scarecrow" scene is kind of creepy. Interesting how Bod made that connection. Edit#2: Ok. Finishing up chapter 2, I change my mind about what I think will be the ending. I have a different idea now. lol
5. I felt that the baby climbing out of his crib and crawling to a graveyard felt a little forced, but I tried to suspend my disbelief for that. As for an underlying meaning, now that you mentioned it, it would fit in with my hypothesis on how the book will end, (view spoiler)
6. I wondered how it was that Nobody could see the ghosts when he was a baby. I figured since babies have only just started living and are not quite thinking, it might explain why he as a baby could see the ghosts. Once he was given the "Freedom of the Graveyard", he was given the ability to see ghosts, which would explain why no one else cannot.
7. I think that the Freedom of the Graveyard includes: ability to interact with the inhabitants of the graveyard, permission to reside there, ability to enter places that others cannot (Scarlett's pique at Bod scene), and "ghost" abilities to manipulate the minds of the living similar to the way Silas did with Jack as well as fade, go through solid objects, etc.
8. I wonder whether the Lady on the Grey might not just be a respected noblewoman. Or perhaps, even more farfetched, a daughter of Hades (lol).
Questions for Chapter 3 and 41.) Where do you think Silas went?
2.) Mrs. Lepescu is an interesting character. Why was she so mean and why can she only come during high summer? What is she?
3.) I didn't know exactly what a ghoul was. It's wikipedia, but it helped. I thought it interesting that the ghouls' home was surrounded by desert and the definition of a ghoul was pretty much what they were in the book. http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghoul
4.) The antique-pawnshop-black market-untrustworthy shopowner guy was really interested in that gem. What do you think it does and why did the apparition say "It always comes back?" Has it been stolen a lot before?
5.) I thought Bod's attempt at getting Liza a headstone was sweet and her trying to save him was too.
6.) How do you think the shopowner (can't remember his name and my book is in the car!) knew Jack?
7.) Jack lives with his GRANDMOTHER?! What? I thought that was a interesting fact to include...
1.) Where do you think Silas went?Nooo idea.
2.) Mrs. Lepescu is an interesting character. Why was she so mean and why can she only come during high summer? What is she?
Yes, Mrs. Lepescu is an interesting character. I didn't think she was being mean. I thought that she was being very strict unlike Bod had ever met with in an adult. I didn't even quite catch that she could only come during high summer. Makes one wonder why only then.
3.) I didn't know exactly what a ghoul was. It's wikipedia, but it helped. I thought it interesting that the ghouls' home was surrounded by desert and the definition of a ghoul was pretty much what they were in the book. http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghoul
I wasn't quite certain what a ghoul was either, but I found them pretty interesting, gross, maybe funny. I wondered how they became one, and what two ways they had thought about making Bod into one of them.
4.) The antique-pawnshop-black market-untrustworthy shopowner guy was really interested in that gem. What do you think it does and why did the apparition say "It always comes back?" Has it been stolen a lot before?
I wondered about that stone too. What were the qualities? How did that two-bit, no good antique/pawnshop/black-market guy know about it or how valuable and rare it was?
5.) I thought Bod's attempt at getting Liza a headstone was sweet and her trying to save him was too.
Definitely! I wonder whether Liza really was a witch. It seemed that way. How was she able to help Bod with his Fading?
6.) How do you think the shopowner (can't remember his name and my book is in the car!) knew Jack?
I'm not sure how the shopowner first knew Jack, but in the 2nd chapter, I think, Jack did mention going to select people in the town to keep an eye out for the boy.
7.) Jack lives with his GRANDMOTHER?! What? I thought that was a interesting fact to include...
hahaha. I know! I wonder what Jack is that he was able to sense...something? A sweet scent? Something about being invited too, by the shopowner.
Sorry for being MIA ladies. The first three pages were extremely hard for me to get through. Fortunately, the story has gotten easier for me. Answers for Chapters 1-2
1.) First of all, do you beleive in ghosts? Why or why not? Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?
When I was younger I believed in ghost. The house I grew up in (the one in my native country) was where my grandfather died. I always thought I saw flashes of light in my peripheral in the dark and my grandmother also told me if I head voices in the night not to answer them (she was very superstitious). Now that I'm older I don't know if I believe in ghosts anymore though.
2.) First impressions so far?
I had quite a few: (1) Nice illustrations! (2) This is not appropriate for children(3) Harry Potter! (You know, parents being slain while the baby lives against all odds. Did anyone else think of HP?)
3.) Who is Jack? Why did he kill Nobody and his family?
I think he was hired to kill them. Beyond that, I don't know anything.
4.) Quite a creepy beginning! What part is creepiest to you so far?
The part where I thought Jack would kill Silas. And the first few pages.
5.)Why in the world would a baby crawl to a graveyard? Is there some underlying meaning that we don't know of yet?
I think it was random.
6.) So, can Nobody see all the ghosts? (I would assume so since he talks to them) Any theories why he can see them and Scarlett and others can't?
Maybe this is a benefit of the freedom of the graveyard. Or maybe because he could see them from birth.
7.) The ghosts gave Nobody Freedom of the Graveyard. Thoughts on what exactly this might entail?
The freedom to do whatever and go wherever he pleases-- within the graveyard of course.
8.) Who in the world is Lady on the Grey? She must be pretty powerful to sway the graveyard's decision to keep Nobody.
The queen of the graveyard? Leader of ghosts? Who knows. I do hope we get some more info about her though
My responses to your answers from Chapters 1&2Rachel
#3: I thought he was supernatural too. Normal people don't sniff the air like that. But if he is supernatural then why did Silas have such an effect one him? That's my only concern.
#8: Interesting theory.
Vi
#2: Ditto. Nothing is sticking. I start one book and then toss it to the side. Today was a little better though. I made some progress with this one and started Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
#8: *Googles Grey Lady* Ahh, interesting comparison. Check out my answer to question 2 to see my HP comparison.
Niq
#5: How do you think the book will end? I'm curious to know. Put it in spoilers in case Vi and Rachel doesn't want to know.
@Sashana - Yep, I was reminded of HP as well. I started Dragoneye Reborn and thankfully, it's sticking. I think I might be cured, after all. How's your book Sashana? I'm getting very tired of vampires - so much that I don't want to try any more vampire books. :(@Rachel: I forgot to reply to your answers! #3 - Jack could be supernatural but Silas is supposed to have his effect only on humans, right?
I have a theory that Silas is a vampire. Mind-influencing sounds like one of vampire's traits. Plus all the other clues point to that..
I haven't read yesterday's quota yet - I'll read soon and post!
It's going good. It helps that it isn't supposed to be a serious paranormal book. I think it's supposed to be humorous, almost like chick lit. I loved Dragoneye Reborn! I hope it goes well for you too, how far are you? I need to read the second book soon.Silas being a vampire would explain a lot. Like him being visible to other people (he does buy all of Nobody's stuff) and the mind control thing like you said.
I think your yesterday is still my today (in case that was confusing: it's still the 22nd on my side of the world)
I'm about 55% in and so far, I'm loving it. I don't want to put it down. I certainly don't want to work. Unfortunately, that is where I am now.Yep, I think I'm 13 hours ahead if you are in EST - That is the one US time zone I know for sure.
Sashana wrote: "It's going good. It helps that it isn't supposed to be a serious paranormal book. I think it's supposed to be humorous, almost like chick lit. I loved Dragoneye Reborn! I hope it goe..."
Responses to Vi and Niq's answers for Chapter 1 and 2Vi-
#6 and #7: Nice thoughts. That was exactly what I was thinking.
Niq-
#3- Business rival or found out too much about something he wasn't supposed to know anything about. People and their revenge!
#4 and #5- It seems like the graveyard residents are trying to protect him for the inevitable. They always seem a little sad.
Answers to Chapter 3 & 41.) Where do you think Silas went?
Official graveyard business maybe? Since he is the only one that can leave I figured it had to do with something about the graveyard or Bod himself.
2.) Mrs. Lepescu is an interesting character. Why was she so mean and why can she only come during high summer? What is she?
I don't have any idea what she is. I know she can become the wolf/dog thing, but other than that I don't know.
.) The antique-pawnshop-black market-untrustworthy shopowner guy was really interested in that gem. What do you think it does and why did the apparition say "It always comes back?" Has it been stolen a lot before?
I figured it has some dark magic/power. Why he wanted it I have no idea.
6.) How do you think the shopowner (can't remember his name and my book is in the car!) knew Jack?
I figured Jack went looking for Bod after he disappeared and the antique/pawnshop was one of the places he went.
Message 54- Niq#2- I didn't think of that. She probably is just a strict person and not really being mean. Good point.
Chapter 1-21. First of all, do you beleive in ghosts? Why or why not? Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?
Intellectually no, but really, yes.
2. First impressions so far?
Very creepy.
3. Who is Jack? Why did he kill Nobody and his family?
I think he's a professional assassin... but why them?
4. Quite a creepy beginning! What part is creepiest to you so far?
The man Jack stalking a baby and sniffing... ugh!
5. Why in the world would a baby crawl to a graveyard?
Is there some underlying meaning that we don't know of yet?
Maybe he has some kind of natural affinity with the supernatural?
6. So, can Nobody see all the ghosts? (I would assume so since he talks to them) Any theories why he can see them and Scarlett and others can't?
Perhaps it has something to do with why they were all killed? Some kind of power in his family? Connected to his affinity with the graveyard, perhaps.
7. The ghosts gave Nobody Freedom of the Graveyard. Thoughts on what exactly this might entail?
Not really.
8. Who in the world is Lady on the Grey? She must be pretty powerful to sway the graveyard's decision to keep Nobody.
The description made me think of a Queen of Faerie, but it sounds like she's connected to death, perhaps is Death.
Questions for Chapter 3 and 41.) Where do you think Silas went?
No idea. To search for clues to the mystery of why Bod is in danger?
2.) Mrs. Lepescu is an interesting character. Why was she so mean and why can she only come during high summer? What is she?
I think she a) isn't used to children and b) takes her duties very seriously. She doesn't mean to be mean.
As for what she is, don't we find out she's a werewolf? Her name certainly sounds like a werewolf.
3.) I didn't know exactly what a ghoul was. It's wikipedia, but it helped. I thought it interesting that the ghouls' home was surrounded by desert and the definition of a ghoul was pretty much what they were in the book. http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghoul
4.) The antique-pawnshop-black market-untrustworthy shopowner guy was really interested in that gem. What do you think it does and why did the apparition say "It always comes back?" Has it been stolen a lot before?
I suspect yes, and that somehow it always finds its way back. Like the ring of power in The Lord of the Rings
5.) I thought Bod's attempt at getting Liza a headstone was sweet and her trying to save him was too.
Yes, shows that it pays to be nice to people, even when they're dead. ;-)
6.) How do you think the shopowner (can't remember his name and my book is in the car!) knew Jack?
All evil guys know each other?
7.) Jack lives with his GRANDMOTHER?! What? I thought that was a interesting fact to include...
Yeah, and he's not as powerful as he seemed at first... he's an underling.
Ohhh Poo! I didn't catch the new start date. I have it downloaded (kindle) and ready to start on the 23rd. I'll try and getting a running jump on it tonight when I go to bed so I don't totally miss out on the discussion questions.Beth
Beth wrote: "Ohhh Poo! I didn't catch the new start date. I have it downloaded (kindel) and ready to start on the 23rd. I'll try and getting a running jump on it tonight when I go to bed so I don't totally mi..."Drats! So sorry, Beth! I hope you can catch up.
Beth wrote: "Ohhh Poo! I didn't catch the new start date. I have it downloaded (kindel) and ready to start on the 23rd. I'll try and getting a running jump on it tonight when I go to bed so I don't totally mi..."Whereas my digital loan from the library expires today so I had to finish the book up instead of savoring the last two chapters for later.
Sashana, the end worked out pretty much the way I had suspected, (view spoiler)
Questions for Chapters 5 - 6
1. Silas acted like he didn't know that Bod danced with the Lady on the Grey and he was oddly sad about the whole thing. I feel like this was a pivotal moment but I don't know why. What did you think was the significance of the scene?
2. I think its great that Bod has a thirst for knowledge, especially at such a young age. But do you think it's wise for Silas to allow him to roam around outside of the graveyard after what just happened with school and knowing that the man who killed his parents (Jack) is still on the loose? How would you have handled the situation if you were Bod's guardian?
3. From what I can understand the people at school didn't remember Bod because of some magic, but why wasn't Mo and Nick affected? Will they be the ones to lead Jack to Bod?
4. Our boy is quite the humanitarian. What did you think of his efforts to stop the bullying at his school?
5. Am I the only one having trouble getting through this book? It's so hard for me to get through even a page.
Questions for Chapters 5 - 61. Silas acted like he didn't know that Bod danced with the Lady on the Grey and he was oddly sad about the whole thing. I feel like this was a pivotal moment but I don't know why. What did you think was the significance of the scene?
The scene with the Lady confirmed my belief that she is Death. I think Silas is upset because he can't die. It's a natural part of life he'll never know. Or possibly he's upset at the thought of Bod dying.
2. I think its great that Bod has a thirst for knowledge, especially at such a young age. But do you think it's wise for Silas to allow him to roam around outside of the graveyard after what just happened with school and knowing that the man who killed his parents (Jack) is still on the loose? How would you have handled the situation if you were Bod's guardian?
Well, all parents face this... we want to protect out children, but we have to let them go free. A life spent inside a graveyard (or any protected environment) isn't much of a life.
I thought at first this was going to say "thirst for vengeance." ;-)
3. From what I can understand the people at school didn't remember Bod because of some magic, but why wasn't Mo and Nick affected? Will they be the ones to lead Jack to Bod?
I think one of the themes of the book is the old idea that children notice more than adults do and/or are closer to the supernatural than adults are.
Mo and Nick are certainly hard to squelch -- like the Terminator, they just keep coming back. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they are responsible for Jack finding Bod.
4. Our boy is quite the humanitarian. What did you think of his efforts to stop the bullying at his school?
I respected him for trying, though thought he was somewhat naive, and events seem to agree with that conclusion. :-(
5. Am I the only one having trouble getting through this book? It's so hard for me to get through even a page.
I'm not at all, but perhaps that's because I'm listening to it on audio. It's a lovely listen. Neil Gaiman has a great voice, I especially like Silas.
Willaful#1: That's actually a great explanation. If she really is death then I think Silas would be sad because maybe Bod is going to die and he knows it.
#2: As a teenager this didn't cross my mind :p I think you might be right though
Niq, I didn't read you spoiler...yet. I'm really not enjoying the book as much as I thought I would so I decided to just wait and see if I'm surprised (I need all the excitement I can get). Hope you don't mind. I'll read it when I'm finished.
Sashana wrote: "Willaful#1: That's actually a great explanation. If she really is death then I think Silas would be sad because maybe Bod is going to die and he knows it."
It might be that, and I know Silas doesn't want Bod to die before his time, but my feeling is that he feels sad about not being able to participate in the cycle of life. (From things he says, like "Everything in its season.")
True. I guess we'll see in the last set of chapters.
Just got home from work after 12 hours! Shoot me now! Lol. Was supposed to work 9-5, but we were so busy I stayed. Getting off in a minute to read. Hopefully I will fiinsh and not fall asleep. If I'm not back...well, you know why. :)
Take your time Rachel. The questions will still be here tomorrow. Get some z's
1. I did think that that there was something significant to it, but given that everyone Bod spoke to about it didn't seem to want to acknowledge the dance at all, I thought it was just a typical reaction. But I do remember a flash of regret in Silas's reaction and I had wondered about that. Given the possibility of who or what the Lady on the Grey is, you're probably right, willaful. 3. That trick of fading from other people's memories doesn't work if people are actively looking for you and thinking about you. Mo and Nick weren't affected because of that.
4. I thought it was rather naive of him and...actually, I wondered whether it was really in character as well. I suppose it could be. Just because he lived and grew up with ghosts didn't mean that he didn't grow up with values and such, after all.
Sorry, guys for the No-Show. I HAD to finish off Dragoneye Reborn - I stayed up till 3am to finish it off. I'll catch up today and post questions later.
"J. Frost", eh.... brrrrr!
Vi's Questions for Chapter 7 - 8 1. Well, quite a number of revelations in Chapter 7. A welcome return of Scarlett. Did you think you would be seeing her again? Also, was I the only one who found that Mr. Frost had too many coincidences going for him?
2. Wow, Bod is good. He's grown enough to be able to defend his home so cleverly. I thought the character growth was very well done - from a child to a clever, young almost-man. What do you think?
3. What is with that All Jacks-secret gang? The reason of the murders fell a little flat for me. I sort of expected more. Was the explanation sufficient for you?
4. Scarlett let me down. I kinda expected more but she wasn't upto it, I guess. But the reason Silas gave to Bod: “People want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer.” was very good. Did it strike any chord in you?
5. Now that we've finished the book, what is overall opinion of the book? Was this your first Gaiman? Will you be picking another of his?
I gave the book 3 stars. It was an ok read but did not match the hype that I received about this book. I might be picking another of Gaiman's book just to see what's the fuss about.
willaful wrote: ""J. Frost", eh.... brrrrr!"Felt fishy, didn't it?
I haven't finished yet, so I'll wait and come back to the thread... but I almost invariably find Gaiman overhyped. My husband is a huge fan of American Gods though. And Good Omens: The Nice & Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch is amazing.
I gave this book 3.5, Vi. While it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I did like it. Have you seen the film Stardust? It was based on his book,
, which I liked as well, but I thought that
was more interesting. willaful, I had read that
was hysterically funny so I had bought it. I think it took me a couple of tries to get through it. While it was a bit funny, I'm afraid I didn't agree with everyone else about it being hysterically so. Or maybe I just don't get British humor. They said the same for Pratchett's Discworld books, and I don't find them that funny either. I read
. I thought it was well-written but I also thought it was overhyped. While I thought it was okay, I didn't like it as much as I did Neverwhere. 1. Nope, didn't think I'd be seeing Scarlett again. To be honest, I had absolutely no idea that Mr. Frost was anything other than what he had been posing to be! I think I had a slight moment when I thought it strange that he had been in the graveyard when Scarlett was there, but accepted his introduction. I think that I became suspicious when he was going up the attic with Bod and being all...I don't know, suspicious? lol
3. Same. I think that the reason I couldn't give this book a 4+ was partly because I thought that the reason for the murders just didn't make sense.
5. I did enjoy the book. I liked the little adventures that Bod had. I liked the illustrations. I liked the concept behind the story. I didn't think that the story flowed very smoothly given that it was basically a series of Bod's adventures as he was growing up. This book had a nice blend of creepiness and...charm? (can't find the right word I'm looking for). This was not my first Gaiman, but I have a mission to read most of his work even though he is not really a favorite author; I do find him skilled.
Vi's Questions for Chapter 7 - 81. Well, quite a number of revelations in Chapter 7. A welcome return of Scarlett. Did you think you would be seeing her again? Also, was I the only one who found that Mr. Frost had too many coincidences going for him?
I'm not really surprised, because I think every element of the book "came back." I like the structure; it felt episodic to me at first.
2. Wow, Bod is good. He's grown enough to be able to defend his home so cleverly. I thought the character growth was very well done - from a child to a clever, young almost-man. What do you think?
He is very smart. I'm not quite sure I see where it all came from.
3. What is with that All Jacks-secret gang? The reason of the murders fell a little flat for me. I sort of expected more. Was the explanation sufficient for you?
I agree, though I did think it was interesting that it became a self-fulfilling prophecy -- as is usually the way of stories about prophecies.. Or do you think Bod would have grown up to have a connection with the dead anyway?
4. Scarlett let me down. I kinda expected more but she wasn't upto it, I guess. But the reason Silas gave to Bod: “People want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer.” was very good. Did it strike any chord in you?
Yeah... she showed up to be a Damsel in Distress and having served her function went away again. A letdown.
5. Now that we've finished the book, what is overall opinion of the book? Was this your first Gaiman? Will you be picking another of his?
It's typical Gaiman for me... not as fabulous as it wants to be or other people think it is. :-)
Niq, I guess you're just not the right audience for Pratchett. I do think there's quite a bit to Good Omens besides humor, though.On the audio, Gaiman reads Mr. Frost so well that even though he was obviously the man Jack because of his name, I kept having doubts. He was so convincingly a nice, nerdy guy!
I'm on vacation and I 'forgot' to bring my book so I'll answer these questions on Tuesday. Thanks for reading with us everyone!
Niq wrote: "I gave this book 3.5, Vi. While it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I did like it. Have you seen the film Stardust? It was based on his book, , which I liked as well, bu..."This is my first Gaiman actually. I have American Gods and Neverwhere on my TBR and I probably will read them sometime.
@Willa2. True, we do not exactly know where Bod gets his smart from either.
3. Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I don't think if Bod was left alone, he would not have grown up straddling the line. He would have been perfectly happy being a normal, alive kid.
Vi wrote: "Niq wrote: "I gave this book 3.5, Vi. While it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I did like it. Have you seen the film Stardust? It was based on his book, , which I liked..."this was my first Gaiman as well and i loved it then read Coraline, it was a good and different one as well. loved his imagination then with all the enthuashim i've got i started to read American Gods cos everyone was frantic about how good it was but i failed to read it, struggled to read it for quite sometime then gave up. wanting to go for it again sometime but no courage yet. same or let's say similar happened with Good Omens, i have been listening to it for months now still not even in the middle. :) but his voice (that is Gaiman) and storytelling was great in The Graveyard book maybe that's why i loved it so much.
Nida, Gaiman's voice was good but I was not able to get lost in the book because I kept asking why or what. His voice was not good enough for me to go with the flow. But, I think I might give another book of his a try before deciding anything.
Vi, try Good Omens. A lot of people loved it and commented on how funny it was. My sister used to role-play and saw some comments from the book. Because she thought the quotes were hilarious, she asked to borrow my book.
WOW! After a whirlwind of two days I am finally back to my normal routine. I think I slept 10 hours in a whole three days. Sleeping all day today was just divine! Now for answers to Chapters 5-8.Answers for Chapters 5 - 6
1. Silas acted like he didn't know that Bod danced with the Lady on the Grey and he was oddly sad about the whole thing. I feel like this was a pivotal moment but I don't know why. What did you think was the significance of the scene?
I think he was sad because Silas cannot participate...well that is what I thought anyways) or maybe because he knows that bod won't always be able to live at the graveyard and this was just one more thing he wouldn't get to do again?
2. I think its great that Bod has a thirst for knowledge, especially at such a young age. But do you think it's wise for Silas to allow him to roam around outside of the graveyard after what just happened with school and knowing that the man who killed his parents (Jack) is still on the loose? How would you have handled the situation if you were Bod's guardian?
Bod has grown a lot throughout this story and I don't think there is much is guardian could have done to stop him. He could have least said good luck! The easiest way to get Jack to come was for Bod to make himself know. I would have like to see Silas possibly help him out though.
3. From what I can understand the people at school didn't remember Bod because of some magic, but why wasn't Mo and Nick affected? Will they be the ones to lead Jack to Bod?
Hmmm. Interesting. I don't know.
4. Our boy is quite the humanitarian. What did you think of his efforts to stop the bullying at his school?
I thought it was very nice of him. He was always showed kindness at the graveyard and maybe he thought that was how the world was supposed to be too.
5. Am I the only one having trouble getting through this book? It's so hard for me to get through even a page.
I'm enjoying it. I think it is because it is something different that I/we normally read. I always enjoy books with male leads also.
Answers for Chapters 7-8
1.)Well, quite a number of revelations in Chapter 7. A welcome return of Scarlett. Did you think you would be seeing her again? Also, was I the only one who found that Mr. Frost had too many coincidences going for him?
I was very surprised when Scarlett showed back up in this story. I was happy. :) Yes, yes he did. Or maybe he just wasn't as stupid as we thought, but can never pull it off in the heat of the moment? Kind of like me...a very good planner, but not a good executer when things aren't just like the plan.
2. Wow, Bod is good. He's grown enough to be able to defend his home so cleverly. I thought the character growth was very well done - from a child to a clever, young almost-man. What do you think?
It was very well done. I would have liked to have seen more of the in between thought. The learning processes and not just the outcomes.
3. What is with that All Jacks-secret gang? The reason of the murders fell a little flat for me. I sort of expected more. Was the explanation sufficient for you?
It was not sufficient for me. Too bad we can't get a story from the Jacks' point of view. That would have been a nice companion novel. The way I understood it was that the Jacks' were a dying breed of some kind of magic and Bod was the last to be born that could have finished them off. Maybe? I don't know. Lol.
4. Scarlett let me down. I kinda expected more but she wasn't upto it, I guess. But the reason Silas gave to Bod: “People want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer.” was very good. Did it strike any chord in you?
I couldn't believe she just walked away like that and let Silas erase her memory. Bod saved you even though he kind of made you the bait. I would have been happy and not angry that we were both safe. However, if I would have died from being the bait, Bod might have been haunted. Lol.
5. Now that we've finished the book, what is overall opinion of the book? Was this your first Gaiman? Will you be picking another of his?
I liked it, but did not love it. As I said above, it was different from what I have read before and I love books with male leads. However, I would have liked more explanations! This was not my first Gaiman novel. I have also read Coraline. I liked it, but I think only because I had seen the movie first. I couldn't get the creepy images of Coraline's parents with the button eyes out of my head!
Thanks everyone for reading with us!Those of you that couldn't make it to the buddy read dates don't think it is too late. You can answer questions at anytime or just let us know what you thought of the book.
Niq, Thanks for the rec. I'll try Good Omens next.Niq wrote: "Vi, try Good Omens. A lot of people loved it and commented on how funny it was. My sister used to role-play and saw some comments from the book. Because she thought the quotes were hilarious, she a..."
I'm glad I'm not the only one that found the book not living up to the hype. A lot of the comments I read seemed to go along with my general impressions of the book. It was OK, I don't regret reading it, but it definitely could have been a little more flowy and I definitely don't think it's the end all be all that people like in my book club thought it was. But I've noticed I'm on a different reading place from them anyway. ;)And sorry I didn't participate more. I meant to but the holidays distracted me and I totally forgot this was even going on!
Chapter 1-2 questions:I'm on page 60 of 320 of The Graveyard Book:
I think the baby crawled into the graveyard because of the obvious...he's really dead *wink*. Which is why he can see the ghosts and Scarlett can't. I think the "Freedom of the Graveyard" is the key to being dead and bridging over to the afterlife and that Lady of the Grey is an angel (of death?). Now let's see which of my theories are correct. Interesting plot for a book. I hope it pans out.
Hope you enjoy it! Could you explain what you mean by "I think the "Freedom of the Graveyard" is the key to being dead and bridging over to the afterlife"?
Niq wrote: "Hope you enjoy it! Could you explain what you mean by "I think the "Freedom of the Graveyard" is the key to being dead and bridging over to the afterlife"?"
I think the Freedom of the Graveyard is like a right of passage to the afterlife. In my theory, I think Nob is already dead, so he has to "pass through the white gate" so to speak. And the Freedom of the Graveyard is another way to say "You're dead". I am so looking for hidden meaning that probably isn't there. But then again, I just got done reading 1984 by George Orwell, which seems to be riddled with hidden meaning throughout the book.
Hmm, I think I get what you are saying. hehe.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Stardust (other topics)Stardust (other topics)
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (other topics)
American Gods (other topics)
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (other topics)
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1.) First of all, do you beleive in ghosts? Why or why not? Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?
I mostly believe in ghosts (especially during the dark :P). I'm not sure why I don't completely believe in them. Nopes, not once even though I tried like hell during my childhood.
2.) First impressions so far?
I'm not in a good mood, reading wise. So I'm sorta impatient with this book. I didn't find it creepy or anything tbh. Maybe, I should try reading it at night!
3.) Who is Jack? Why did he kill Nobody and his family?
Maybe he is a hired assassinator? I have no idea why he killed Nobody and his family though.
4.) Quite a creepy beginning! What part is creepiest to you so far?
Not much creepy - well, except for the fact that a baby is crawling uphill towards a graveyard.
5.)Why in the world would a baby crawl to a graveyard? Is there some underlying meaning that we don't know of yet?
Again, I'm clueless here - especially given the fact that the graveyard is supposed to be uphill. There could be some underlying meaning but no idea.
6.) So, can Nobody see all the ghosts? (I would assume so since he talks to them) Any theories why he can see them and Scarlett and others can't?
I think it's because the ghosts have sorta adopted him into their midst. He is given the Freedom of the Graveyard, after all. So there could be some inherent right that allows him to see and go into the various crypts? Scarlett and others can't see because they don't have the FotG. But still, Nobody was able to see them before he was given FotG, right?
7.) The ghosts gave Nobody Freedom of the Graveyard. Thoughts on what exactly this might entail?
I'm answering questions in a weird way today. Anyway - I think the FotG gives Nobody to see the ghosts and to go into various parts of the Graveyard which he would otherwise have no access to. Sort of like a honorary full member, I guess.
8.) Who in the world is Lady on the Grey? She must be pretty powerful to sway the graveyard's decision to keep Nobody.
For no reason, I'm reminded of Grey Lady in HP. No clue on this one either.