May 30, 2007

Review:Coraline

Coraline
by Neil Gaiman

Upon the recommendation of several voices in the blogusphere I listened to Coraline on CD, read by the author. What a treat! Neil Gaiman has such a great voice. It was like listening to your father read you a creepy story in a very animated manner. We all thrilled over it.

Coraline is the story of a girl who finds a path into an alternate universe that is very similar to her own world but just a little better. But it soon becomes evident that it's not better. Coraline must use her head to escape the clutches of an evil that wants her for keeps.

I listened to this with the kiddos, knowing it was going to be a bit creepy. Goldilocks, who hates suspense, was scared in a few places but says they don't seem that scary anymore, now that she knows how it ends. It did have some very chilling parts but they all added to the overall satisfaction of a great story with great characters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story. It's perfect sleepover fodder for those in search of a scary story that won't leave you with nightmares. And, I am thrilled again at the news that there will be an animated movie coming out sometime next year. You can believe that i will be in the theater for that one.

This was not a title from my Once Upon a Time Challenge list but I never would have heard of it or listened to it if it wasn't for this reading challenge. As the challenge has only a few short weeks left I find I want to continue to read the fantasy and fairy tales that I've had a taste of. They have brought out a child-likeness to my reading and to my everyday life that I don't want to let go of. I am grateful to Carl and the other participants for sharing their passion with me. My world has been broadened.

7 comments:

Robin said...

I'm glad you enjoyed listening to it. I loved it and felt the same thing about Neil Gaiman reading it--I kept thinking about how lucky his kids are! I, also, enjoyed Carl's Once Upon a Time reading challenge. It broadened my horizons, too!

chrisa511 said...

So glad that you enjoyed it! Neil is one of my favorite authors and Coraline was such a wonderful story. Delightfully creepy! I'm looking forward to the movie as well. He's posted some pictures of the movie sets on his blog and it looks like we're in for a treat!

Ana S. said...

I'm glad to hear you liked it! And I'm with Robin - I envy his children, he is such a great oral storyteller on top of everything else!

Unknown said...

I'll have to get this one tape and try it out. Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds like a good summer family listen.

Framed said...

I just read my first two Gaiman books this spring. Coraline has been on my list for some time. I like the idea of listening to it if I can find an audio version.

Petunia said...

Robin and Nymeth-I had the same thought.

Chris-Thanks for letting me know about movie pictures. I can't wait to see the previews and the movie.

Sarala-it is a great family read-aloud if your kids don't get scary dreams. My younger two are 5 and 9 but they did fine with it.

Framed-I very highly recommend the audio version. It is worth it to find a copy.

soleil said...

i have heard so many great things about this book as well. and you have intrigued me by your great experience of listening to the audio version! i have chosen this as one of my reads for the saturday book review challenge.