Sunday, January 5, 2014

Review - The Ocean at the End of the Lane


The Ocean at the End of the Lane
By
Neil Gaiman
Narrated by Neil Gaiman
Publisher: HarperAudio
Pub. Date: June 18, 2013
ISBN: 978-0062263032
Duration:  5:48 hours
Genre:
Fantasy
Source:
public library
Goodreads: Goodreads Choice winner for Fantasy (2013)

Review:
Apart from a cute children’s book, Chu’s Day, I had never read anything by Neil Gaiman, so I seized the occasion when I saw I could listen to it through my library audio book service.
I very rarely read fantasy, I can’t even recall what was the last fantasy book I read, but I got caught in the story right away through Gaiman’s voice. His narration is dreamy, hauntingly beautiful and irresistible, a bit like some of his dreadful characters, although in a positive sense!

I liked the way he gave some emotion, not too much, just enough to taunt you and make you want to get closer to the water… and see what this ocean was all about. His voice is warm and engaging for sure.
I liked the gothic ambiance at the beginning of the book, and how it got little by little more creepy. By chapter 3, I was really wondering what was going on, if we were just in the stuff of memories and drams, or way beyond into some strange weird spheres…
In fact, I liked how I constantly found myself wondering if I was in the real world or in a fantastic one, or always at the border in between. This is a novel about childhood, memories, growth, friendship, dreams, and mortality. And of course, I liked the last page with the two moons!! Murakami’s lovers will know what I am talking about!

Watch a cool video of Gaiman reading this book!



*Disclaimer - I checked out this audiobook at my public library, through Overdrive*

 About the Author:
Neil Gaiman is a New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for adults and children, including the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book; the Sandman series of graphic novels; and Make Good Art, the text of a commencement speech he delivered at Philadelphia’s... [Read more on Harper Collins]



5 comments:

  1. I also liked this one. Dreamy is a good word for it.

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  2. I have read Stardust by the author. The book jacket for The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is a bit creepy to me.

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  3. isn't anything by Gaiman a bit creepy? lol I'll have to check Stardust

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  4. Beautifully written, the book is a breath of fresh air; something that is characteristic of Neil Gaiman. He paints his inspiration in ink and leaves his readers with the most raw and potent images he can. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a magnificent addition to his earlier work and firmly establishes and reaffirms why the author is regarded as one of the finest Fantasy writers alive.

    I might be biased in my opinion, but as someone who reads a LOT of fantasy, it's always a pleasure to read such a well-written, cohesive book.

    In terms of characterization, Gaiman creates memorable personalities. The narrator is as close to a reader as possible, rendering his fears into extensions of your own. Every character is there for a reason.

    Critics may label this book a "Children's Book" and perhaps they're right. Every word is chosen with care and every thought is coated with just the right amount of subtlety. The difference though, is that Gaiman layers his work with images that linger in every reader, irrespective of age.

    I would encourage you to read it because you never know when the neighbourhood pond might become your own ocean and your imagination kindles anew

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