The Graveyard Book

288 pages

English language

Published April 4, 2009

ISBN:
978-0-7475-9480-2
Copied ISBN!

View on OpenLibrary

View on Inventaire

4 stars (254 reviews)

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.

47 editions

Review of 'Graveyard Book' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

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 …

Review of 'The Graveyard Book' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

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.

Review of 'The graveyard book' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

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.

Review of 'The graveyard book' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

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.'

Review of 'The graveyard book' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

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.

Review of 'The graveyard book' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

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.

avatar for sorcerer

rated it

4 stars
avatar for broonie

rated it

4 stars
avatar for aandnota

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ovocie

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ovocie

rated it

4 stars
avatar for maho

rated it

5 stars
avatar for kabhi

rated it

5 stars
avatar for samullen

rated it

4 stars
avatar for luddite

rated it

4 stars
avatar for cthulhu

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Elspeth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for mattmcmanus

rated it

4 stars
avatar for gummibunny

rated it

5 stars
avatar for kergoth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for daNanner@bookrastinating.com

rated it

5 stars
avatar for sethmdoty

rated it

5 stars
avatar for qnm

rated it

4 stars
avatar for kiarazard

rated it

5 stars
avatar for fjordic

rated it

5 stars
avatar for spideyj

rated it

5 stars
avatar for writh

rated it

5 stars
avatar for mttktz

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Ellemir

rated it

3 stars
avatar for astroMD

rated it

4 stars
avatar for kimkarma66

rated it

5 stars
avatar for ngs

rated it

4 stars
avatar for unsquare

rated it

5 stars
avatar for zachegwood

rated it

4 stars
avatar for jwynia

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Rosa

rated it

3 stars
avatar for thisisjan

rated it

4 stars
avatar for geoffrey

rated it

5 stars
avatar for vncavalcanti

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jelmervdl

rated it

4 stars
avatar for vilhelmr

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Azuaron

rated it

5 stars
avatar for larcher

rated it

3 stars
avatar for arclight

rated it

3 stars
avatar for maleo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Chigaze

rated it

5 stars
avatar for danshield

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ExQuaseFuturo

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jbeimler

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jennifilm

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Rallidaerule

rated it

4 stars
avatar for TheKimmy

rated it

5 stars
avatar for racer983

rated it

4 stars
avatar for dria

rated it

4 stars
avatar for awboonstra

rated it

5 stars
avatar for erinmalone

rated it

5 stars
avatar for wafonso

rated it

5 stars
avatar for unicornia

rated it

4 stars
avatar for stinkingpig

rated it

5 stars
avatar for joshcook83

rated it

4 stars
avatar for yallah110

rated it

5 stars
avatar for paudie

rated it

5 stars
avatar for wordeater

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Doomedrider

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Ivia

rated it

4 stars
avatar for tremain

rated it

4 stars
avatar for khohmann

rated it

5 stars
avatar for LeadAnew

rated it

4 stars
avatar for JohSny

rated it

4 stars
avatar for WonkoTheSane

rated it

3 stars
avatar for KyleStewart

rated it

5 stars
avatar for treyhunner

rated it

5 stars
avatar for courts

rated it

5 stars
avatar for turmacar

rated it

4 stars
avatar for yanni

rated it

5 stars
avatar for gingerjoos

rated it

4 stars
avatar for slowline

rated it

4 stars
avatar for astrodad

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Manzabar

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Dvmheather

rated it

3 stars
avatar for n-gons

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Angzarr

rated it

5 stars
avatar for gtco

rated it

4 stars
avatar for casocial

rated it

3 stars
avatar for rahulgopinath

rated it

5 stars
avatar for lnxm8

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Rand

rated it

4 stars
avatar for indeed_distract

rated it

3 stars
avatar for ben@books.theunseen.city

rated it

5 stars
avatar for michaelp

rated it

4 stars
avatar for oddghost

rated it

2 stars
avatar for smh

rated it

5 stars
avatar for lilyjreads

rated it

5 stars
avatar for LiminalFlares

rated it

5 stars
avatar for glamafonic

rated it

3 stars
avatar for DejahEntendu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for CMGX78

rated it

5 stars
avatar for alexmu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for dev_tea

rated it

3 stars
avatar for darkejokero

rated it

5 stars
avatar for kevbot9000

rated it

5 stars
avatar for nostalgia

rated it

5 stars
avatar for deathgrindfreak

rated it

4 stars
avatar for piotr

rated it

5 stars
avatar for leifbhammer

rated it

4 stars
avatar for clnaanderson

rated it

5 stars
avatar for GvS

rated it

3 stars
avatar for elementaryflimflam

rated it

5 stars
avatar for princeofspace

rated it

5 stars
avatar for no_u14

rated it

4 stars
avatar for karlhungus

rated it

4 stars
avatar for LingLass

rated it

4 stars
avatar for tsukikage

rated it

4 stars
avatar for estranho

rated it

5 stars
avatar for chaos_angel

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jhaase

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Eldaerenth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for nerd.picnic

rated it

3 stars
avatar for yayJill

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Khimeara_core

rated it

4 stars
avatar for WorzelFG

rated it

4 stars
avatar for BillieCodes

rated it

4 stars
avatar for jolson

rated it

4 stars
avatar for pannakocka

rated it

4 stars
avatar for thecalchemist

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Avarla

rated it

5 stars
avatar for SweetGravy

rated it

3 stars
avatar for clifhall

rated it

4 stars
avatar for WBucclan

rated it

5 stars
avatar for veganmashuu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for stefany

rated it

5 stars
avatar for anonymole

rated it

5 stars
avatar for DaveCline

rated it

5 stars
avatar for flatlined

rated it

5 stars
avatar for flatlined

rated it

5 stars
avatar for schellenberg

rated it

4 stars
avatar for psy-q

rated it

2 stars
avatar for billiamthesecond

rated it

3 stars
avatar for patatita

rated it

4 stars
avatar for paperbuildings

rated it

2 stars
avatar for oreoteeth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for lemay

rated it

4 stars
avatar for teabat

rated it

4 stars
avatar for bioscape

rated it

5 stars
avatar for adastrame

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Lunartech

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ESPaulsonAuthor

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jumbanho

rated it

5 stars
avatar for forvrin

rated it

4 stars
avatar for sciatrix

rated it

3 stars
avatar for deggert

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Tuhnsoo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for abookfruit

rated it

4 stars
avatar for BigBear1014

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jjackunrau

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hastur

rated it

4 stars
avatar for sadalababa

rated it

4 stars
avatar for smyth

rated it

4 stars
avatar for mja1999

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Crane

rated it

5 stars
avatar for TimMason

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jameswynn

rated it

5 stars
avatar for BookThief

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jankmammal

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Themlyn

rated it

5 stars
avatar for settingshadow

rated it

5 stars
avatar for dianamontalion

rated it

3 stars
avatar for ianatxt

rated it

3 stars
avatar for ink-and-wax

rated it

5 stars
avatar for stefan786

rated it

4 stars
avatar for teerav

rated it

3 stars
avatar for gwcoffey

rated it

5 stars
avatar for stjep

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Satch

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Radgryd

rated it

3 stars
avatar for govmarley

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Beja87

rated it

3 stars
avatar for BojanB

rated it

4 stars
avatar for sleep-er

rated it

4 stars
avatar for dnoate

rated it

4 stars
avatar for grislyeye

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Gossamerchild

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ianatxt

rated it

3 stars
avatar for vandermore

rated it

5 stars
avatar for mcchots

rated it

5 stars
avatar for KathleenMMM

rated it

5 stars
avatar for TheKimmy

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Archbishop

rated it

5 stars
avatar for ghostchaser

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Kyrylys

rated it

3 stars