The Premise: The Graveyard Book traces the story of the boy Nobody “Bod” Owens who is adopted and reared by the supernatural occupants of a graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. (Wikipedia)
What I Like: I don’t know how this book was suggested to me. I don’t generally read Young Adult fiction, because some seem tame. Honestly, what captured my attention first was the title. My inner macabre was intrigued. I read the back over. Ghosts, ghouls, and death and magical and terrifying sounding creatures. I was sold.
What Neil Gaiman was able to capture is something that takes great skill. The story is beautifully written. It deals with sadness. It weaves danger and adventure almost poetically. It’s well paced. It’s no wonder it’s won several awards.
This is definitively a young adult thriller/mystery/horror. It opens up with the near slaughter of a family save for our infant protagonist who must be raised by the inhabitants of a graveyard to protective him from those who want to kill him. And from there it continues to thrill. Age appropriate (of course) but adult enough that it kept my interest.
What I Didn’t Like: This hasn’t been a movie yet? There’s only one book. There’s so much crafted into this world of Nobody Owens, they’re could’ve easily been a series. But this is what is I must respect of Mr Gaiman. He took his time to tell a story that will truly continue to inspire children who thirst for the dark because the light of our minds won’t turn off.
Verdict: This is a must read for any inspiring writer, young and old. This is a great gift for that young reader in your family who likes spiders and ghosts. “Nobody” will be disappointed.
Looking for something scary to read this season. Read my first novella, A Still Small Voice. Download it now.
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