A review by spinesinaline
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Not a huge fan of the middle because it was so different from what I was expecting but the beginning and end made up for it. 

The main issue for me with this one is that I was expecting a very creepy adult book. Instead, it most reminded me of The Graveyard Book, Gaiman’s short story collection for children. While I wouldn’t call this one a children’s book because of the adult content, it feels like a children’s book written for adults.

And it is in a way, as it follows an older man who has returned home and suddenly remembered his childhood. We get his adult perspective paired with his memories as a child guiding us through the story.

I wouldn’t say this is necessarily bad but it was so different from what I was anticipating that I was just disappointed that it wasn’t the adult book I was looking for. I did really enjoy the beginning and ending but the middle sagged a bit for me with this childlike story aspect and likely promise of a happy ending tamping down the suspense and creepiness level.
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