Audio CD
English language
Published Jan. 5, 2008 by HarperChildrensAudio.
I've read this book so many times! Its about a boy called Nobody Owens, and his story as he finds his family's murderer while being brought up by ghosts.
I love Neil's style in this book and I am happy that I picked this one up to get back into reading.
Eigentlich ein Jugendbuch, aber deswegen nicht weniger wundervoll.
I forgot how much I liked this book. Gaiman claims it is inspired by the Jungle Book, but to me it felt more like Kidnapped, but improved.
The most remarkable thing (other than me sitting down and reading a book on paper for once), was the complete lack of cynicism. That is not a sure thing with Gaiman.
Wonderful and original. I listened to the audiobook read by Gaiman, and have already recommended it to my oldest.
Nobody Owens ("Bod") is raised by the denizens of a graveyard after the rest of his family is killed when he's a baby.
Bod grows from a baby into a teenager over the course of the book, and he feels distinct at each age in how he interacts with the world and what kinds of questions he asks. His world is built from his relationships with the others in the graveyard, whether they're consistent visitors or permanent residents. It's also shaped by his attempts to be around living people, most of which go poorly and all of which are complicated. Because Bod’s perspective is the main (but not quite only) one in the book, his understanding is the filter for most of the worldbuilding. There are things he’s told but lacks additional context to understand, and some things he knows intimately but which are just mentioned.
The first two-thirds of …
A book about a boy raised in a graveyard and learning about the world from old-timey ghosts. What’s not to like?
Well… I wanted to like this book, but it couldn’t hold my attention. I read about 1/3 of the book, but I couldn’t connect to the characters and didn’t feel the plot was going in a cohesive direction. It’s my first time reading a book by Neil Gaiman, so it’s possible his style isn’t for me; however, there were enough intriguing threads in what I read that I’m open to trying out his other works.
The author does a great job of paying off foreshadowing in a satisfying way and immediately reminded me of the setup, even if the payoff itself didn’t resonate with me.
It wasn’t for me, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see positive reviews either.
A very interesting read about a live boy growing up in a graveyard full of ghosts. Toward the end there were some descriptions of events that felt like after thoughts added in to try to patch a hole in the story. I don't want to go into more detail, as it would ruin the story. But, other than that small section, the story was very entertaining and imaginative.
The most sweet ghost book I have ever read.
This is a very well-imagined YA 'spooky' thriller. I would not recommend it for children younger than 5-6th grade. The opening might be too off-putting. For those who can complete the first chapter, this is an excellent exploration of community, honor, empathy and protection. This certainly is a good book to read and discuss during late October/ early November during Halloween and Day of the Dead 'season.'
IncrÃvel! Uma pena ser tão curtinho.
Incrível! Uma pena ser tão curtinho.
Fairly close to giving this 5 stars, but something didn't quite feel right. The characters, the atmosphere, the writing and the plot were all wonderful, but I think the chapters being pretty self contained (the Danse Macabre chapter was especially unrelated to the rest of the book) meant it didn't feel as complete as I'd have liked. The incompleteness of Silas's story was maybe my biggest problem, although it makes sense not to focus on it in a book about Bod growing up.
Dark, creepy, and heartwarming in the best possible combination.
This is a such a cool concept! How did the book end up so boring?
It’s Harry Potter but in a cemetery and without the worldbuilding or character development. I added a star because this is a children’s book, and I might have enjoyed it more at a different age. Even if you suspend disbelief for a great many things, the disjointed plot and separate short-story chapters don’t flow and don't add much to the story.
I'm not a big Neil Gaiman fan but thoroughly enjoyed this book!
