Coraline by Neil Gaiman || Book Review

This is again one of those books where I watched the movie first (plenty of times) before reading the book.

It’s a suitable read for younger readers as well as adults, and while the fantasy and adventure would be appealing to the younger crowd, as an adult, you’ll read a little more between the lines.

There aren’t major differences between the book and the movie, although they are noticeable, they didn’t take away any elements of greatness from either.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book review: Coraline by Neil Gaiman #bookreview #neilgaiman #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #booktwt #bookaddict #booktwitter
Tweet

Originally published: 2002

Pages: 212
Format: E-book

Plot from GoodReads:

There is something strange about Coraline’s new home. It’s not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, nor the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbours, read in the tea leaves.

It’s the other house – the one behind the old door in the drawing room. Another mother and father with black-button eyes and papery skin are waiting for Coraline to join them there. And they want her to stay with them. For ever. She knows that if she ventures through that door, she may never come back.

Thoughts:

There is enough creepy in this book to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

The language and writing style used is simple and clear. The world building is vivid and creative and full of disturbing characters.

Coraline’s courage is so strongly portrayed throughout the book despite being afraid, alongside her curious nature. She is adventurous and quirky, and it saddened me to see how neglected she was and that was the bait in the story to introduce other elements. The reality of the neglect isn’t blinded by the fact that this is fiction.

The world beyond the door? Eerie and surreal, and very evidently not a place you want to find yourself in. It’s a world of a recurring nightmare that you can’t wake up from.

My favourite character? The cat – enough said.