Sunday, July 12, 2009

Book Review - The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman


The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman


The Graveyard Book has received a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews all over the internet but quite frankly I don't understand why. Perhaps Gaiman's reputation and his previous work accumulated higher marks than the book really deserves. Perhaps only his uber-fans are leaving reviews or they’re using a more liberal grading system than normal. I do think Neil Gaiman is a brilliant writer with a unique style but this particular story falls far short of his other work. After multiple homicides on page one nothing happens (and I mean absolutely nothing) for the next hundred pages or more. Slow and plodding The Graveyard Book does not deliver, in my estimation, and I’m afraid it will not stand the test of time. Even as a children's book it's very weak. You’ll forget about this story ten minutes after you’ve finished reading it.

2 ½ stars of 5


The Alternative

Southeast, Wisconsin

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