wincaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
jilianluk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
taylorgodfrey20's review against another edition
3.0
This was not something I would consider my “go to” type of book. However, I could not put this down. Enchantingly mysterious is how I could best describe it.
swoody788's review against another edition
4.0
I devoured this book in a couple of hours, but I've got to get some sleep before I can adequately review and rate it. Until tomorrow....
**Next day**
Let me preface this by making it clear that I've never read anything by Neil Gaiman before now. I've heard a lot about him recently and this book was recommended to me by at least two people so that seemed reason enough to read it. Being a fairly popular, well-reviewed novel, I assumed that it took place in this realm of reality but wasn't sure what to expect. I certainly did not expect what I read, and had I known beforehand that it was a fantasy novel I very well may not have read it. Nothing against fantasy, but I'm just not really interested in it at this point in my life (aside from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, duh). I'm interested in what actually has happened and what could have conceivably happened, and maybe that makes me boring and unimaginative, but I don't care.
But this book was wonderful and beautiful and just so puzzling to me. It started off normally enough, and then things just got bizarre, but I was okay with it, because Gaiman is truly a fantastic author. He captured childhood so perfectly that the things that took place in his book seemed as real and conceivable to me as anything; it was as if I was going back in time and remembering my own formative years and the things that captured my attention and filled my mind then. I don't feel like I've completely made it to adulthood yet, and it's nice to know that most people probably feel that way for some reason or another regardless of their age.
I'm still in the process of figuring out why this book flummoxed me so. Maybe it's because I'm pondering on truths I knew in my childhood that I have since forgotten. Maybe it's because I'm trying to see the world through my seven-year-old eyes again and by doing so understand my seven-year-old nephew, with whom I often butt heads. I almost want him to read this story (minus a few very grown-up parts of course) and talk to him about it. Or maybe it's because I feel guilty for being prejudiced toward the fantasy genre. I don't know. But I'm glad I read this book. I like that you never actually know the narrator's name. It could be anybody's story. It could be your story.
**Next day**
Let me preface this by making it clear that I've never read anything by Neil Gaiman before now. I've heard a lot about him recently and this book was recommended to me by at least two people so that seemed reason enough to read it. Being a fairly popular, well-reviewed novel, I assumed that it took place in this realm of reality but wasn't sure what to expect. I certainly did not expect what I read, and had I known beforehand that it was a fantasy novel I very well may not have read it. Nothing against fantasy, but I'm just not really interested in it at this point in my life (aside from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, duh). I'm interested in what actually has happened and what could have conceivably happened, and maybe that makes me boring and unimaginative, but I don't care.
But this book was wonderful and beautiful and just so puzzling to me. It started off normally enough, and then things just got bizarre, but I was okay with it, because Gaiman is truly a fantastic author. He captured childhood so perfectly that the things that took place in his book seemed as real and conceivable to me as anything; it was as if I was going back in time and remembering my own formative years and the things that captured my attention and filled my mind then. I don't feel like I've completely made it to adulthood yet, and it's nice to know that most people probably feel that way for some reason or another regardless of their age.
I'm still in the process of figuring out why this book flummoxed me so. Maybe it's because I'm pondering on truths I knew in my childhood that I have since forgotten. Maybe it's because I'm trying to see the world through my seven-year-old eyes again and by doing so understand my seven-year-old nephew, with whom I often butt heads. I almost want him to read this story (minus a few very grown-up parts of course) and talk to him about it. Or maybe it's because I feel guilty for being prejudiced toward the fantasy genre. I don't know. But I'm glad I read this book. I like that you never actually know the narrator's name. It could be anybody's story. It could be your story.
alix_the_book_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aeterna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
itzelhorn's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
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
4.25
ajmarquez's review against another edition
4.0
I would probably go for a 3,5 or 3,7.
It’s a beautiful book about life. I think is the best way to describe it, with a supernatural McGuffin.
Gaiman has this cozy and magical way of writing, that comforts and surprises. His writing is the closest to a fireplace in a winter with a cup of chocolate in your hand. And that’s what this book felt to me.
The best parts are the non-supernatural ones. The reflections of a kid, the look to a dearly past and how time shapes us.
He creates an interesting world, different than any other I’ve read but pays homage to the Fairy tales. I wonder if this was inspired also in The White People from Machen.
I would say this is a take on that story, brought to more recent times. It has the haunting of that story, less dark and more magical.
It’s a beautiful book about life. I think is the best way to describe it, with a supernatural McGuffin.
Gaiman has this cozy and magical way of writing, that comforts and surprises. His writing is the closest to a fireplace in a winter with a cup of chocolate in your hand. And that’s what this book felt to me.
The best parts are the non-supernatural ones. The reflections of a kid, the look to a dearly past and how time shapes us.
He creates an interesting world, different than any other I’ve read but pays homage to the Fairy tales. I wonder if this was inspired also in The White People from Machen.
I would say this is a take on that story, brought to more recent times. It has the haunting of that story, less dark and more magical.
adamkull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5