Comments on: “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:30:06 +0000

@ Rebecca: I am sure you are right about the tone, but I can’t help but wonder if the book really was everything Gaiman hoped it would be. Elements of it really did feel rushed, or certain elements got dropped never to be discussed again, and I found that frustrating. I think if Gaiman had either had a longer book or more books to explore certain ideas, it would have been stronger for me. But maybe it is as you say and he was perfectly happy with the final product. Perhaps it was just me who wasn’t entirely won over!

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:32:02 +0000

I don’t think Gaiman WANTED it to be scary. I think it was just as he wanted it, and he had plenty of time to develop it as he wanted. It’s just DIFFERENT from the Harry Potter books.

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:02:33 +0000

@ Rebecca: Definitely the opening scenes were scarier in this one than in the Potter books, since those kick off after the murder of Harry’s parents… and perhaps there is something intrinsically scarier about a man wielding a knife rather than one wielding a wand! Overall, I agree with you though that this book felt a bit lighter than the Harry Potter books, perhaps because there wasn’t the time to develop everything as much as Gaiman might have liked (after all, the Harry Potter books are LONG!).

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:18:01 +0000

I thought the murder-scene at the beginning was far spookier than the first chapters in Harry Pottter. But good point about someone being able to handle the Voldemort murder theme being able to handle this too. I did think Gaiman was lighter in some respects, which is ironic, I think, since it took place in a graveyard!!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:20:14 +0000

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By: Steph

Steph — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:31:05 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions! I do think I’ll read more Gaiman, and both American Gods and Fragile Things sound like they could be fun. I think Gaiman is wildly creative, and I just wish he were a stronger writer. I think I’d be a lot more enamored with him if he were!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:56:56 +0000

I like Gaiman best when he’s working in offbeat formats: graphic novels, for instance, or short fiction, or kid’s books. I really, really liked Coraline. (I also liked American Gods, but mostly because I was really taken with the Egyptian gods living in Cairo, Illinois.) Fragile Things is slightly hit or miss, but mostly hit. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head saying that he’s a great storyteller but only an average writer, though. That’s a really good analysis. You are totally suckered by the plot but not wrapped up by the writing in any significant-enough way.

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:14:04 +0000

@ zibilee: Yeah, as my mom would say, Gaiman just doesn’t really blow the wind up my skirt. There’s nothing wrong with his stories but I never feel they’re as magical as I’ve been led to believe they will be. I tend to find his stuff diverting, but not necessarily earth-shattering.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:46:16 +0000

I am not too crazy about Gaiman. Everyone seems to adore everything he does, but when I read one of his books, I just didn’t feel it. I read American Gods, and while it was ok, I just wasn’t totally engaged. It was a great premise, but I didn’t think it was particularly well written or as interesting as I had expected it to be. I haven’t read anything by Gaiman since, although I have heard plenty of positive things about The Graveyard Book. I have toyed with the idea of reading Coraline (and even bought it for my kids) but haven’t actually committed to it yet. It’s interesting to read a differing opinion of Gaiman’s work because he seems to be a literary golden boy right now.

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:15:40 +0000

@ nat: I haven’t felt like Gaiman has changed my life. As Claire says below, his stories can be a good lark, but they always fall a little short for me. I don’t think you need to rush out and read him if you’ve other things to occupy you! And thanks for the well wishes!

@ Claire: Thanks for the rec on Neverwhere. Is that one a graphic novel? I know he has at least one of those bouncing about out there. I think my friend Laura read Fragile Things and said it was good and creepy!