THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gaiman, Neil. 2009. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. Illustrated by Claire Rickfield.Voice by Neil Gaiman. Harpercollins: new York. ISBN 978-0060530945.

PLOT SUMMARY

The story begins in an unlikely night, where a baby boy is able to not only get out of his crib, but to crawl down the streets of London to a nearby cemetery. While the child is able to elude his own murder at the hands of the man Jack, thanks in large part to two ghosts (Mr. and Mrs. Owens) and a guardian, Nobody Owens spends the rest of his childhood in the protection of the graveyard. He is able to maneuver through the graveyard like a ghost, fading and slipping through the walls of crypts. Bod, as he is called by his ghostly friends grows and learns with the help of the ghosts around him. He does make a human friend named Scarlett, who discovers the wonders of the hidden parts of the graveyard when they are very young, and returns later to help him vanquish the Jacks who wish to do him harm. His enemies inevitably find young Bod, and attempt to kill him so that he does not fulfill the ancient prophesy that states he will be the ruin of the brotherhood of Jacks of All Trades. His guardian, Silus along with a few others seek to help Bod in his destiny. In the end, Bod cannot remain living in the graveyard when he reaches adulthood, and he says a tearful goodbye to his ghostly friends and family to venture out into the world.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story focuses on the eccentric life of a young boy growing up in the craziest of all settings, a graveyard. Neil Gaiman artfully crafts a tale that pulls at the heart strings and causes one to laugh at the sweet innocence of childhood. The tale is told from a third party perspective, however, the feelings and thoughts plaguing the main character are recited in the careless tone of an adolescent boy. The setting is the central focus of the tale, and the plot is the background noise. Gaiman describes the various aspects in a graveyard: a ghoul gate, those buried in unconsecrated ground, and the buried treasure of an ancient people. The adventures of bod within the graveyard and even outside of it (like in school or at the pawn shop) are more of the focus in the tale than the major plot, which is the murder of his family and the hunt for him to finish what they started so many years before.

Gaiman’s morbid setting is oddly fanciful and fun-loving. It sweeps the reader into a story of adventure and fantasy, as opposed to the expected prose of death and sadness. It just goes to show that books are not always what they appear to be. While the cover and title itself exudes a tale of morbidity, there is actually much more about family, friendship, help in time of need, and sticking up for others and yourself in the face of danger. It is truly a remarkable tale!

Gaiman’s voice is perfectly crafted for narrating this somber setting and fantastical characters. He is able to easily switch character voices without much effort. The story would not be the same without hearing his rendition. Also, the music played at the beginning and ending of each disc effectively aids the transition and is quite enjoyable to hear when reading a book that is playfully morose as this one.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

Winner of 2009 Odyssey award for excellence in audiobook production

“His voice ranges from silky to gravelly and gruff to sharp-edged. Those who enjoyed Gaiman's Coraline (HarperCollins, 2002) will be eager to hear his inspired reading of this novel.”Booklist

“THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form. In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.” New York Times Book Review

“Like a bite of dark Halloween chocolate, this novel proves rich, bittersweet and very satisfying.” Washington Post

“Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.” Kirkus Reviews

CONNECTIONS

It is a wonderful book to engage children in the differences and wonder of the fantasy genre. Perhaps, the educator could introduce other similarly quirky books to open up the eyes of young readers to alternate settings that are at once familiar to them as places they have seen, yet have never given much thought to discussing. They could even look at pictures of places throughout town that are mysterious, like broken down buildings, cemeteries, and old churches, and write a small fantasized tale.

Other great books by neil gaiman:

Gaiman, Neil. Neverwhere. Isbn 978-0060557812

Gaiman, Neil. Stardust. Isbn 978-0061689246

Gaiman, Neil. AMERICAN GODS: A NOVEL. ISBN 978-0060558123