Coraline

Product Information

I am telling you this that it's never too late to read a good book. No matter what the genre it belongs to.

Eleven-year-old Coraline Jones is incredibly bored in her family's new flat, so off exploring she goes! Also, you will probably be shaking your head frequently and wondering why adults are so goshdarn useless in children's literature. Yet Coraline is written so simply and poetically that it’s almost meant to be listened to. The audio version that I borrowed from the library has a full cast, and it’s one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever encountered. Plus, having the story read aloud to you only adds to the experience of being returned to your childhood. It’s just wonderful. Without being preachy, Gaiman sends all the right messages about fear and bravery, family, love etc. The writing also transported me in that magical/scary place and made me feel what Coraline feels. I was scared when she was and I felt courage when she did. All the characters where unique and interesting, helping build the plot and the atmosphere. Neil Gaiman is an equally talented narrator, he really knows how to hit the right tones to make the experience complete. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough. what does the old man mean when he says he has a message from the mice that says Don't go through the door? and what do Miss Spink and Miss Forcible mean when they say she is in danger when they see her tea leaves? what kind of danger is this?

Seriously creepy and disturbing book. You might want to vet this for your children if you worry about that sort of thing. When I say "Stephen King for children," I am not joking. This book is dark and full of very disturbing and unsettling images.

P.S. I wonder if the 'other mother' in this book was called The Beldam after La belle dame sans merci. *shrug* Something to ponder. Mrs. Jones is Coraline's mom. She is very busy most of the time, and sometimes a little inattentive, but she loves and cares about Coraline. Coraline considers her to be rather boring.

Reviews

Little things in the book I love. For instance, Coraline hates "real food" (what she calls 'recipes') and instead lives on stuff like microwaved frozen pizza and microwaved frozen French fries. She is delighted when, while visiting the neighbors, she is served limeade.