Description
Bestselling children’s book by cult author Neil Gaiman
- Author: Neil Gaiman
- Publisher: A&C Black
- Published: 2009-11-02
- Pages: 193
- ISBN-13: 9781408808191
Coraline
€9.28
Additional information
| Author | Neil Gaiman |
|---|
What the internet says
Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
Overall reception: Mostly positive
Coraline by Neil Gaiman receives overwhelmingly positive reception from readers across multiple platforms, with particular praise for its atmospheric horror and imaginative storytelling. On Goodreads, the book maintains strong ratings with readers describing it as 'magnificently creepy,' 'breath catching,' and 'the most splendidly original, weird, and frightening book' they've read. Kirkus Reviews calls it a 'magnificently creepy fantasy' that is 'spot on' for stouthearted kids who love a brush with the sinister. The book is consistently praised for its ability to capture childhood fears while empowering young readers through Coraline's bravery and resourcefulness.
Readers appreciate how the narrative maintains a child's-eye perspective throughout, with Coraline's character development resonating strongly. Multiple reviewers note the book's ability to be both creepy and warm, with one reader stating 'it makes you feel spooky and mysterious' while holding onto each word. The story's themes of bravery—particularly Coraline's realization that her father was brave because he acted despite being afraid—strike a chord with readers. However, some acknowledge the book's horror elements may be intense for younger or more sensitive readers, with several noting it's 'not for the faint-hearted' and could cause nightmares.
The book-to-movie adaptation has generated interesting discussion, with many readers finding the film enhanced certain aspects of the story, particularly pacing and characterization of the parents. Readers on BookBrowse show consistent enthusiasm, with multiple five-star reviews and comments like 'I've read it more than 5 times' and recommendations to 'read it in the dark because it makes the best of stories.' The typical reading time of under 2 hours makes it an accessible yet impactful read for both children and adults during spooky season.
What readers loved
- Masterful creepy atmosphere and imagery, including the button-eyed other mother and surreal parallel world that readers find both frightening and captivating
- Strong protagonist in Coraline who demonstrates genuine character growth, learning the meaning of bravery and becoming her own hero
- Perfectly captures a child's perspective and fears while remaining accessible, with narrative that 'hews closely to a child's-eye perspective'
- Quick, engaging read (under 2 hours typical reading time) that keeps readers hooked with addictive pacing
- Sophisticated themes about courage, family, and identity woven into an entertaining story that works for multiple age groups
- Neil Gaiman's magical writing style brings the story to life with delightfully dark and funny prose across thirteen chapters
- Successfully balances horror elements with warmth and humor, making it 'creepy yet warm' according to readers
Common critiques
- Horror elements may be too intense for younger or sensitive children, with potential to cause nightmares—described as 'not for the faint-hearted'
- Some readers felt the book's pacing could be slow in places, with the movie adaptation improving the story structure
- Parents in the original book are less developed than in the film adaptation, making them harder to sympathize with initially
- The surreal nature and lack of complete explanations for the other mother's existence may frustrate readers who prefer clear answers
Based on reviews from
- Goodreads
- BookBrowse
- Kirkus Reviews
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