eReader on amid a white wood backdrop showing the cover of Coraline

Coraline

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman’s Coraline is a novella that features a young girl named Coraline who has just moved into a new house.  She is intent on exploring and discovers a mysterious door that has been walled up.  However, one day, Caroline discovers the door ajar.  What will Coraline discover on the other side of the door?

“Rise to your feet and applaud: Coraline is the real thing.”

– Philip Pullman (my favorite author)

This short story is perfect for getting out of a reading slump.  The book is very short with short paragraphs and sentences to keep the action flowing.  Coraline also had laugh-out-loud moments, and Neil Gaiman is a master of intrigue, piquing the curiosity.  He has walled off passageways and old keys.  His character is told not to go someplace, essentially daring the reader to explore.  His prose is delicious, non-pretentious, but subtly brilliant.

The adventure is engaging and a pleasant one.  It also has depth with symbolism thrown in.  There is one moment in the book that will stay with me for a long time.

For this story, I utilized a reading technique called immersion reading (listening to the audiobook while following along in a copy of the text).  Neil Gaiman himself narrated the audiobook.  Listening to him is quite a treat.  His enthusiasm is enchanting, and when he reads his own work, it feels like he is in the room with you, your very own personal reading, like the very best campfire story. 

One of my favorite lines:  How often do you get to say a name like “Mr. Bobo” aloud?

Plus, there is a cat….

I am already looking forward to reading Coraline again.  So far, I have read three works by Neil Gaiman, and they have all been stellar.  Is it possible for him to write any bad books?  I guess I shall have to find out. 

Need to find your next read? Check out this list of the most anticipated books for the last half of 2022!