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A review by frootlupo
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
dark
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.25
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a bite-sized tale, packed full of Gaiman’s signature whimsical melancholy.
Despite a slower start than I would have liked, I quite enjoyed this short Gaiman story. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author himself, which is always a treat. The story itself centres around a 7-year old boy told from the perspective of an adult recalling a memory. The framing device of the memory helped connect me to the perspective of such a young child. The interjections reminiscing or commenting upon the perspective of children served to keep the perspective engaging for an adult reader like myself. I still wouldn’t say I felt particularly attached to any of the characters, but it did make the story feel much more mature and approachable.
I don’t think this is going to be a story that fundamentally changes my worldview, but I enjoyed it well enough and I’m glad I read it.
Despite a slower start than I would have liked, I quite enjoyed this short Gaiman story. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author himself, which is always a treat. The story itself centres around a 7-year old boy told from the perspective of an adult recalling a memory. The framing device of the memory helped connect me to the perspective of such a young child. The interjections reminiscing or commenting upon the perspective of children served to keep the perspective engaging for an adult reader like myself. I still wouldn’t say I felt particularly attached to any of the characters, but it did make the story feel much more mature and approachable.
I don’t think this is going to be a story that fundamentally changes my worldview, but I enjoyed it well enough and I’m glad I read it.