The Graveyard Book

[darkelf105]

I just finished Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. While on the whole I found it cute and entertaining with a very likable, if not very talkative main character, I couldn't help but think that it was a way watered down version of A Fine And Private Place, and, for all its cool bits and very nice flow, it lacked the aspect of ghost stories that I most like, a sense of poignancy and melancholy. But that's okay because Gaiman is a fine writer, though no Beagle, and deserves to be judged on his own merits.

I liked Bod very much and was quite happy to see him stop the bullies at his school even though it cost him personally. Well, because it cost him personally. Too often main characters in stories DO THE RIGHT THING, but it's so easy that it might as well be a decision between a tuna salad sandwich on a croissant or a tuna salad sandwich or bread instead of DOING THE RIGHT THING, which implies some heft and obligation. I loved the ghost witch Liza, and okay, I said the novel lacked poignancy, but I guess I must correct that, the bit with the paperweight and Liza's grave made me sorta teary-eyed. I adored Silas and Miss Lupesca. They were my favorite characters. Which brings me to my next point: Does anyone else who read this think there needs to be books about the Honor Guard, because I do! They had a werewolf, I mean Hound of God, a mummy, an ifrit, though stupid, and a vampire! And it wasn't even the least bit stupid sounding when I read it. I love that the mummy carried a pig for luck into battle.

Comments

[3circledsun.livejournal.com]

I haven't ever read that book. I stumbled across your journal. Mind if we become friends?

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

Not at all! I like meeting new people as much as the next. I shall friend you back.

The Graveyard Book is pretty good, but not the best thing ever, if you're interested in reading it, I'd borrow it from the library.

[3circledsun.livejournal.com]

great. What book would you recommend for my next read?

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

Well, that actually depends a lot on what sort of books you like. I read primarily non-fiction (with very specific interests, like the relationship between media/culture/technology or medieval heresy or about globalization with a focus on Japan and China...stuff like that) and science fiction and fanstasy....so I may not be able to recommend anything all that great to you :). But if you tell me what you like, I can use my mad librarian skills and do a reader's advisory for you.

[3circledsun.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite books was The Magus by John Fowles, have you read that that book or anything by him?

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

I have not, but a quick search online tells me that it sounds pretty sweet and now it has been added to my To Be Read list (which means I will get to it eventually...but maybe not in the next year...).

Actually, that kinda reminds me of the books written by John Crowley...have you read anything by him? Because if not, Little Big is probably right up your alley...and even if it's not, it's still a fantastic book. It's weird and unsettling and kinda haunting.

[3circledsun.livejournal.com]

ok cool...thanks. I will check it out, I haven't read any of his books before.

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

They are quite good. I also enjoyed Beasts and Engine Summer though to be honest, I couldn't quite get through Aegypt.

[3circledsun.livejournal.com]

how many authors do you have on your F list? I see Jim Himes and Catherine Valente. Do you have any others? I always like to follow any published authors just cause I am curious as that's what my dream would be too.

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

I actually have quite a few. I love writing and would like to publish one day, too....but mostly I follow them because they tend to write about books and the writing of books on their blogs. I like reading about that stuff, even if I have no intention of acting on it anytime soon.

Here's a list of others

difrancis= Diane Francis...whose work I have not read, but I friended her when she first came to Lj because she seemed nice and interesting..her books kinda aren't something I'm super interested in, though I do recommend them to people from time to time.

jpsorrow= He friended me..I haven't had a chance to read his books yet, but they seem cool, in an epic fantasy sort of way.

matociquala=Elizabeth Bear. I just started reading her and still do despite her attitude during RaceFail 09.

paulskemp= he's one of the more talend Forgotten Realms writers and I enjoy his blog because he writes well and his political observations are insightful.

sarahtales= Sarah Brenner. She just published a YA novel and I actually started reading her because she was hilarious.

sartorias= Sherwood Smith. One of my favorite childhood writers.

yswilce= Yseasbeau (I don't think I spelled that right) Wilce...she wrote one of the cleverest and unique YA series that has come out recently.

ETA: also, ursulav, beanclam, and clockwork_hands are published graphic novelists.


I primarily use LJ as a way to read about books and about others' reading and to connect with people who read :).

[cutelildrow.livejournal.com]

Well, I gathered that The Graveyard Book was sort of written with a young adult audience in mind, while reading it.

The part with the infant Bod had me cry, but I'm a sucker for babies.

Yes, I agree, there needs to be books about the Honor Guard. XD

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

T'was indeed written for young adults, which is why I felt guilty comparing it to Beagle's A Fine And Private Place, but I can't help it because that novel defines ghost stories for me.

We should start a petition of something for Gaiman to write about the Honor Guard. I loved Silas and Miss Lupescu tremendously!

[guinlet.livejournal.com]

See, I loved it, and I'm super super glad it won the Newberry. I liked the Danse Macabre bit, where all the ghosts and people came together for one night and danced and enjoyed themselves, even though they didn't remember it in the morning. I liked that each chapter is its own story, I can't explain why, but I did. I haven't read A Fine and Private Place, but now I will.

Incidentally, I think this book just came out called "The Little Stranger", maybe the last name is Waters? It's a ghost story, and I thought it was super long and after the first 100 pages, I would grab about 5 pages and turn, skim, grab 5 and turn, skim, okay something creepy finally happened. I guess the lady used to write Victorian lesbian romance novels? And this is her first attempt at something else? I thought it was MEH. I'm going to go stalk your GoodReads.

[crowyhead.livejournal.com]

The Danse Macabre bit was one of my favorite parts, as well. Very Ray Bradbury-ish, but with a Neil Gaiman twist.

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

Ray Bradbury with a twist of Gaiman...that's actually how I'd describe most of Gaiman's stuff. I too, like the Danse Macabre quite a bit, it did put me into mind of From the Dust Returned and now that I've remembered that book, I think I'm going to go re-read it.

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

I didn't dislike it, I liked it quite a bit, just not as much as other ghost stories. However, that hasn't stopped from pushing it on every kid who comes moaning into the library looking for something to read because they finished all the Twilight books. Some of them liked it so much that they read all the other Gaiman stuff we have, which makes me verra happy because just say NO to Stephenie Meyer.

I will have to look into Little Stranger....I uh, have a thing for Victorian literature...even with lesbians....tell me, is she a modern writer trying to be a Victorian writer, or a Victorian writer that they've resuscitated and brought back from the grave for a modern audience?

ETA: Also, you should read Peter S. Beagle's A Fine And Private Place and his Tamsin which I think you would also like. It's a ghost story, and a fairy tale AND has a kitty love affair between a very alive kitty and a very dead, ghostly kittie. Oh and there's a pouka/pooka (or however you spell it, I've seen so many variations) that turns into a hedgehog. Hell, you should read everything Peter S. Beagle has written for it is gold.

[guinlet.livejournal.com]

She's a modern writer trying to be a Victorian writer, I think. Little Stranger is her 5th novel, I believe? I haven't read anything else, but I guess it was on NPR.

I will check out Beagle and the Bradbury story. I have written them down and will look them up at work tomorrow!

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

Also, also, crowyhead just reminded me of it! If you liked The Graveyard Book you should definitely check out Ray Bradbury's From the Dust Returned. It's very good and has the same sort of whimsical vibe tinged with a sense of darkness to it. Plus, it's Ray Bradbury, who may be a paranoid, chauvinist, crazy old coot, but damn, the man spins a fine prose.

[lenusazul.livejournal.com]

I read this recently. I enjoyed it, but it reminded me of A Fine and Prive Place as well. I would have rather re-read the latter.
I need to talk to you about menus! And the guest list!

[darkelf105.livejournal.com]

Okay! I'll shall try to call you, but the soonest I may be able to talk will probably be Thursday as I have all this stuff do to for work and school and I was sick Monday so now I'm playing catch up.