Coraline – Neil Gaiman

Still on my Neil Gaiman kick, I picked up Coraline from the local library. My daughter laughed at me and said that some of her friends at school had read it. For what it’s worth, I have no problem reading “young adult” books and told her as much. She shrugged saying that at least her friends had said it was a good book.

Coraline is a short book of about 160 pages and is a very quick read. Originally written for Gaiman’s daughters, it is the story of a young girl who feels bored and unappreciated in her home and end up finding herself in adventure on “the other side” that will not only bring her some excitement but also give her self image some definition.

As for a review? Good book. Definitely dark and maybe a little too dark for those under say, 11? Over that age there should be no problem at all with the imagery and action. It may even be ok for kids under that age since there is no outright blood, gore, abuse, etc… But, if the young adult in question already has a fear of what is under the bed or in the closet, this book will only make that fear worse. Oddly enough I watched the movie “Bridge to Terabithia” last night with my kids and wife. The movie was certainly more disturbing than this book. By a long shot.

On a side note there is a movie adaption of Coraline coming out soon. Gaiman posted a like to a video of the trailer which is up on YouTube so check it out here.