The Graveyard Book
Nobody Owens is a normal boy, or he would be if he didn’t live in a graveyard. Raised from infancy by ghosts, werewolves and other denizens of the night, the young orphan has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians’ times, as well as their ghostly teachings, such as the Fade, the Slide and the Dreamwalk. All of which comes in handy when Bod faces the dangers and adventures of the cemetery—an ancient Indigo Man, an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer. As Bod begins to venture outside the bounds of his tomb-filled home, he discovers he must use all the tricks his supernatural family has taught him. But will it be enough to help him survive the man Jack...who has already killed his family?
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Childrens Bks. ( October 01, 2008 )
Item #: 08-2961
ISBN: 9780060530921
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.0 inches
Product Weight: 15.0 ounces
Beautiful Book
October 16, 2009
I'd read Carolyne (sp?) and enjoyed it but found it a bit upsetting. I found the Graveyrad Book a much more entertaining and enjoyable read. I found it hard to put down and read it it a relatively short period of time and 'left it" wanting to hear more about Bod. Recommended!!
Reviewer: Tumbleweed
Fantastic book!
October 03, 2009
I listened to the audiobook version of this (read by Neil Gaiman himself), before I bought the hardcover. The story and writing are both excellent!
I liked this book better than Coraline, though there are plenty of similarities. Gaiman treats his young audience with respect, never talking down to them, and remembering that, naive as they may be, children are often smarter than the adults around them assume.
This is a terrific book for children who don't need the world painted with rainbows and happy endings, and a truly enjoyable read for adults.
Reviewer: Femetal
It's about time an author stops coddling kids...
September 11, 2009
I will be honest, I read Coraline and didn't enjoy it very much...I decided to give Gaiman another try with his children's book, "The Graveyard Book." Is it depressing; yes, in parts. Does Bod, the main character, make all the right decisions? Nope. Does the book end as you think it would/should? Not a chance. So here's my question...how interesting are the multiple tomes of children's lit where the character does NOTHING wrong, everything's happy and the ending is as sweet as curdled toffee? Not very! Reading this novel as an adult, I found it to be interesting with characters you felt many different things for. Bod evolved and grew through out the story as he should. I do warn that there are dark, dark, dark themes in the book, but when the main character is living in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, what do you expect? But this book also has a lot of hope packed in between the lines of this unusual story. It might not be for everyone, but it is with the time to sit down and get to know it better.
Reviewer: Meredith H
Dull and Depressing
July 22, 2009
Neil Gaiman has taken a passable idea; taking Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book and transferred it to a graveyard. Gaiman's language skills cannot make up for a deadly dull story that is morally disturbing and hard to get through. His protagonist exhibits a lot of unethical behavior, taking revenge, destroying others and betraying those he cares about....I found myself wondering if this story had a point. The hype around Gaiman can be misleading, his books are often depressing and empty as if he has nothing to say. The Graveyard Book is an empty trifle, not fulfilling, bland and ultimately boring.
Reviewer: Celeste
Great Fun
July 14, 2009
Nobody Owens is great and unlikely hero. This is a collection of stories about a lot of different mythological creatures and fables that is artful woven together. The end result is a cohiesive story that you want to keep going. I would like to hear the further adventures of Nobody and the honour guard.
Reviewer: Holly U
Neil Gaiman
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