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justanothermegan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
adrienneb18's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jellybird25's review against another edition
4.75
Maybe this a 5… let me think. Such lively characters and an interesting story. Bod’s perspective is level headed and it is good fun to see a fantastical story through his eyes. Spooky ghosty fun!!
sundragonscrolls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tropes
*coming-of-age
*found family
*hero’s journey
*hidden world
*mentor figure
Triggers
*murder / violence
*death
Language: No
Spice: 0 out of 5
Overall Rating: 8/10 or 4/5 stars
plot: 1
pacing: .5
themes: 1
setting: 1
originality: 1
characters: 1
writing style: 1
emotional impact: 0
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: .5
The story begins with the murder of a family by a mysterious man named Jack. The youngest child, a baby boy, escapes to a nearby graveyard where the ghosts decide to protect him. They name him Nobody "Bod" Owens and raise him within the safety of the graveyard. As Bod grows up, he learns about the graveyard's many inhabitants, develops friendships with ghosts, and explores the boundaries between life and death. Along the way, he faces dangers both within and outside the graveyard, particularly the looming threat of Jack, who is still searching for him.
The plot is episodic in nature, following Bod as he grows up in the graveyard, learns new skills from its ghostly inhabitants, and faces both supernatural and real-world dangers. Each chapter functions almost as a standalone short story, but together they form a cohesive narrative of Bod’s journey from childhood to adolescence. The overarching plot centers around Bod’s quest to understand his past, evade Jack, and ultimately choose between staying in the graveyard or facing the world of the living.
The pacing is moderate, with alternating moments of action, introspection, and quiet world-building. Each chapter presents a new adventure or lesson for Bod, but there is a gradual buildup to the final confrontation with Jack, which brings the story to an exciting climax.
Neil Gaiman’s writing is lyrical and atmospheric, with a blend of whimsical and dark tones. His prose is accessible for younger readers but layered with deeper meaning and complexity for adult readers. The writing balances humor with darker themes, and the dialogue is sharp and often poignant.
The ending provides a sense of closure to Bod’s journey, as he faces his destiny and makes a decision about where he truly belongs. The final chapters are both bittersweet and hopeful, encapsulating the central themes of life, death, and growing up. It’s a fitting conclusion to Bod’s coming-of-age story.
The Graveyard Book is a beautifully crafted tale that combines fantasy, horror, and coming-of-age elements into a compelling narrative. With its unique setting, memorable characters, and thoughtful exploration of life and death, it appeals to readers of all ages. It’s both a haunting and heartwarming story that stands out for its originality and emotional depth.
*coming-of-age
*found family
*hero’s journey
*hidden world
*mentor figure
Triggers
*murder / violence
*death
Language: No
Spice: 0 out of 5
Overall Rating: 8/10 or 4/5 stars
plot: 1
pacing: .5
themes: 1
setting: 1
originality: 1
characters: 1
writing style: 1
emotional impact: 0
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: .5
The story begins with the murder of a family by a mysterious man named Jack. The youngest child, a baby boy, escapes to a nearby graveyard where the ghosts decide to protect him. They name him Nobody "Bod" Owens and raise him within the safety of the graveyard. As Bod grows up, he learns about the graveyard's many inhabitants, develops friendships with ghosts, and explores the boundaries between life and death. Along the way, he faces dangers both within and outside the graveyard, particularly the looming threat of Jack, who is still searching for him.
The plot is episodic in nature, following Bod as he grows up in the graveyard, learns new skills from its ghostly inhabitants, and faces both supernatural and real-world dangers. Each chapter functions almost as a standalone short story, but together they form a cohesive narrative of Bod’s journey from childhood to adolescence. The overarching plot centers around Bod’s quest to understand his past, evade Jack, and ultimately choose between staying in the graveyard or facing the world of the living.
The pacing is moderate, with alternating moments of action, introspection, and quiet world-building. Each chapter presents a new adventure or lesson for Bod, but there is a gradual buildup to the final confrontation with Jack, which brings the story to an exciting climax.
Neil Gaiman’s writing is lyrical and atmospheric, with a blend of whimsical and dark tones. His prose is accessible for younger readers but layered with deeper meaning and complexity for adult readers. The writing balances humor with darker themes, and the dialogue is sharp and often poignant.
The ending provides a sense of closure to Bod’s journey, as he faces his destiny and makes a decision about where he truly belongs. The final chapters are both bittersweet and hopeful, encapsulating the central themes of life, death, and growing up. It’s a fitting conclusion to Bod’s coming-of-age story.
The Graveyard Book is a beautifully crafted tale that combines fantasy, horror, and coming-of-age elements into a compelling narrative. With its unique setting, memorable characters, and thoughtful exploration of life and death, it appeals to readers of all ages. It’s both a haunting and heartwarming story that stands out for its originality and emotional depth.
kim_w's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. There were a couple of plotting details that I had some minor issues with, but overall a hugely moving and wonderful story. Neil Gaiman is a master at doing so many things.
moonchild07's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
zuzie's review against another edition
3.0
Na túto knižku som natrafila len tak náhodou v knižnici, mala pekný obal, zaujímavý názov a takisto opis deja na vnútornej strane obalu nebol na zahodenie. A preniesť sa zo sveta upírov, superľudí a podobne na možno obyčajný cintorín s obyčajnými duchmi. Prečo nie?
Lud sa po vražde svojich rodičov ocitá na cintoríne, kde si ho "adoptujú" manželia Owensovci, ktorí vždy túžili po dieťati, avšak nikdy nijaké nemali. Preto, keď sa im teraz núka príležitosť, hneď sa jej chytia. Na tom by nebolo nič zvláštne, keby však obaja neboli už niekoľko rokov mŕtvi. Spolu s nimi sa o Ludovu výchovu stará Silas, prazvláštna postava, ktorá sa niekedy vyparí a nikto netuší kde je a čo robí. Podstatné však je, že ako jediný môže vychádzať z cintorína a zabezpečovať Ludovi všetko, čo ako jediný človek na cintoríne potrebuje. Kto by už predsa hľadal v hroboch jedlo. Nikto. Presne preto je tu Silas.
Neskôr sa však dozvedáme, že jeho úloha nie je len chodiť po mesta a zaobstarávať chlapcovi veci, ktoré potrebuje, ale že sa taktiež stará o chlapcov život a zisťuje, prečo sa ho vtedy niekto snažil zniesť zo sveta. Ukáže sa, že vrah jeho rodiny však nie je ešte mimo hru a že stále hľadá Luda, aby ho nakoniec mohol zabiť, tak ako sa mu to pred rokmi nepodarilo.
Myslím, že kniha nie je nejako náročná. Začiatok vyzerá neskutočne sľubne. Predsa len, kde Vám hneď v úvode ukážu vraha, ktorý má za úlohu previesť na druhý svet celú rodinu aj s bábätkom? Asi málokde. Stred knihy by som potom možno, no ja neviem, asi zmenila, resp. nebol až taký dobrý ako som po začiatku čakala. Zväčša išlo o opis Ludovho života a jeho príhod, ktoré na cintoríne zažil. Na druhej strane uznávam, že to všetko čo sa udialo na konci, sa nemohlo stať hneď, ale nejako sme sa k tomu museli dopracovať a počkať kým Lud vyrastie. A tak sa po úvode, ktorý Vás zhltne a mierne nezáživnom prostriedku, dostávame opäť k napínavému koncu, kde sa konečne dozvieme, prečo si vrah vybral práve Ludovu rodinu.
Lud sa po vražde svojich rodičov ocitá na cintoríne, kde si ho "adoptujú" manželia Owensovci, ktorí vždy túžili po dieťati, avšak nikdy nijaké nemali. Preto, keď sa im teraz núka príležitosť, hneď sa jej chytia. Na tom by nebolo nič zvláštne, keby však obaja neboli už niekoľko rokov mŕtvi. Spolu s nimi sa o Ludovu výchovu stará Silas, prazvláštna postava, ktorá sa niekedy vyparí a nikto netuší kde je a čo robí. Podstatné však je, že ako jediný môže vychádzať z cintorína a zabezpečovať Ludovi všetko, čo ako jediný človek na cintoríne potrebuje. Kto by už predsa hľadal v hroboch jedlo. Nikto. Presne preto je tu Silas.
Neskôr sa však dozvedáme, že jeho úloha nie je len chodiť po mesta a zaobstarávať chlapcovi veci, ktoré potrebuje, ale že sa taktiež stará o chlapcov život a zisťuje, prečo sa ho vtedy niekto snažil zniesť zo sveta. Ukáže sa, že vrah jeho rodiny však nie je ešte mimo hru a že stále hľadá Luda, aby ho nakoniec mohol zabiť, tak ako sa mu to pred rokmi nepodarilo.
Myslím, že kniha nie je nejako náročná. Začiatok vyzerá neskutočne sľubne. Predsa len, kde Vám hneď v úvode ukážu vraha, ktorý má za úlohu previesť na druhý svet celú rodinu aj s bábätkom? Asi málokde. Stred knihy by som potom možno, no ja neviem, asi zmenila, resp. nebol až taký dobrý ako som po začiatku čakala. Zväčša išlo o opis Ludovho života a jeho príhod, ktoré na cintoríne zažil. Na druhej strane uznávam, že to všetko čo sa udialo na konci, sa nemohlo stať hneď, ale nejako sme sa k tomu museli dopracovať a počkať kým Lud vyrastie. A tak sa po úvode, ktorý Vás zhltne a mierne nezáživnom prostriedku, dostávame opäť k napínavému koncu, kde sa konečne dozvieme, prečo si vrah vybral práve Ludovu rodinu.