A review by anastasiamakes
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hmm.
In the acknowledgements of this book, Gaiman mentions that this was meant to be a short story, but it got away from him. And personally, I felt that - I'm not a short story person.
It also reiterated to me that I don't like horror, which I didn't realise this was. There were some absolutely beautiful, fantastical passages in here, and then I felt those were just ruined by segments of horror and gore.
All a bit "it was all just a dream, or was it?" for my tastes.
In the acknowledgements of this book, Gaiman mentions that this was meant to be a short story, but it got away from him. And personally, I felt that - I'm not a short story person.
It also reiterated to me that I don't like horror, which I didn't realise this was. There were some absolutely beautiful, fantastical passages in here, and then I felt those were just ruined by segments of horror and gore.
All a bit "it was all just a dream, or was it?" for my tastes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Animal death, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Death