Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

80 reviews

mattyvreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I love a magical, mythical story for adults. Gaiman has done it again. 

The story is equal parts horror and mystery and fairytale, while deeply rooted in a grounded reality. This book was strangely moving in parts. I soaked up every word. Enthralling and rich, with beautiful prose. I was absolutely captivated.

One of the most successful parts of the book is how the author uses memory: repression, revelation, unreliability, omission. We read about the narrator’s story in great detail, but never know his name. It’s not important. In the prologue, the narrator is leaving a funeral. He knows whose funeral it is, but we don’t have it. It’s not important for us to know.

The story is thought provoking and wonderful. Time will tell if it will become as big of a classic as “Coraline.” I do hope it does.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexual content and Infidelity

Minor: Animal death

nicolinebl's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I don't know what to say other than I adore Neil Gaiman and his writing, and this was yet another fantastic novel by him. The beautiful illustrations from Elise Hurst made it even better, and are very fitting to the story. An element of spookiness, but not too spooky.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Child abuse, Body horror, and Child death

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Infidelity and Gaslighting

bookwormabby54's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death

Minor: Infidelity

jhabelita's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

It was ok, like "so-so" okay. It gave me the same feelings when I read the House of Hollow. The start was interesting to be honest. It intrigued me lalo na nung pinakilala na si Ursula. Andun na agad yung hunch ko na "ahh okaaay, antagonist ito" and the first 40% really hold my attention. It was so creepy!
 
Then, *poof! it became coco crunch!* 😂 nagpalaboy laboy na yung imagination ko towards the end of the book. I agree to some reviews that it could've been shorter na lang sana. Kasi parang kinaladkad nalang ni Neil yung story hanggang sa naging kala-kalamay na sya (for me).

Overall, I think magical realism genre is not my cup of tea.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Infidelity

reads2cope's review against another edition

2.5

Loved the concepts explored, but the story itself and the characters fell flat. There were some beautiful lines, and the horror scene near the beginning really made me gag, but most the book left me feeling meh. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide

Moderate: Gore, Bullying, Animal death, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Infidelity

Minor: Death of parent

alucaflos's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity and Suicide

alisonfaith426's review against another edition

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual content and Infidelity

Minor: Animal death

itsjoenna's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Body horror, and Death

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Sexual content

hullomoon's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.5

I think it's just been a while since I've read one of Gaiman's works, but it did take me longer to get into this story. It has similar vibes to Coraline and I think it would be better suited as an autumn read, instead of me reading it during the summer.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Suicide

Moderate: Child abuse, Animal death, and Infidelity

mrnicholas's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts