Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Coraline Review

CoralineCoraline by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Coraline...It's a children's book that's not totally a children's book...It's a horror novel that's not totally horror. Above all, Coraline is a great, entertaining, well constructed novel.


I really enjoyed Coraline. Coraline is a well developed character, especially for a children's book. She is independent, yet craves love and affection. She has a vivid imagination, but is bored by her normal surroundings...until she goes through the secret door that is.



Coraline encounters many different characters on her adventure, and none of them are bland. Her neighbors are interesting, and the versions of them on the other side of the door are even more so. Her "Other Mother" is a well-formed monster of a villain, even without a whole lot of description. (I could do a whole discussion here on Freud and the Unheimliche and how scary that can be, but I'll spare you all).


Bottom Line: Coraline is a must read for more than just children or fans of horror novels.

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12 comments:

  1. Toni D.October 27, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    I think my favourite part of the entire book was the circus mice... pffft. Go figure. Have you read Neverwhere? I think it's kind of like a dark Alice in Wonderland.

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  2. TrevorOctober 27, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    I haven't...It's on my reading list now though. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  3. Crazy Life of a Writing MomOctober 27, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    I soooo want to read this! It sounds awesome :)

    Do you ever review memoirs?
    ecboutique05@gmail.com

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  4. PetraOctober 27, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    This was the first book by Gaiman I've read! :)
    I recommend Neverwhere as well! :)

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  5. NancyOctober 27, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Coraline is scary! Definitely not a children's book! I will still have to check out Neverwhere myself.

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  6. Claudine GuehOctober 27, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    I read the comics version of this and loved it. The side characters are so flavoursome, too. Neil Gaiman is now one of my favourite authors.

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  7. TrevorOctober 28, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Myself I was reading Stephen King in elementary school (good thing my mom didn't know haha) I would have LOVED Coraline =D. I might check the graphic novel out too...I'm finding a new love for graphic novels. Thanks everyone for visiting!

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  8. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Trev - I read several of King's books in middle school too (yikes!) but haven't sought out much horror since.

    I AM interested in Coraline, though. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing your feedback on it. :)

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  9. DMSOctober 28, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    I love Coraline- I know it is a bit dark, but I like that about it and I think that is is scary because Neil Gaiman does such a great job setting everything up. I am a huge fan of his work and loved the Sandman series. Love the picture that goes with the review.

    ~Jess

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  10. TrevorOctober 28, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Thanks for the suggestion on the Sandman series...I'll check it out!

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  11. m. christine weberOctober 29, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Okay, so I admit that I've never read this book! However, I've been wanting to, and this is the perfect time of year to do so. Thanks for the recommend--can't wait to pick it up!

    Also, thanks for the follow. I'm following your blog now as well. Cheers!

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  12. CassNovember 15, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    This has been on my to-read list! Thank you for following and I'm glad my "Hunk of The Week" is your inspiration haha

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