Matthew's Reviews > The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book
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by
![16254355](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p2/16254355.jpg)
Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2020, audio, hoopla, horror, supernatural, young-adult, favorites
Nov 17, 2020
bookshelves: 2020, audio, hoopla, horror, supernatural, young-adult, favorites
5+ Stars
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years without much luck. I could never really put my finger on it except for two things:
- Sometimes it felt like it was being artsy and weird in order to be cool and trendy
- Often the magic and supernatural happenings felt contrived and convenient. Fantasy is made up, but it should not feel like it is made up.
However, I did not encounter that at all with The Graveyard Book. The fantastical story was unique, flowed organically, and was super fun. While it was a bit dark in places, it was not scary - a light-hearted ghost story most of the time. The characters were excellent and I enjoyed my journey with them - I did not want it to end and I hated saying goodbye.
I highly recommend this one and will more than likely be pointing fellow readers to this one if they want to try Gaiman.
So . . . the curse is broken . . . will I have additional success if I try others or do I end my pursuit on top?
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years without much luck. I could never really put my finger on it except for two things:
- Sometimes it felt like it was being artsy and weird in order to be cool and trendy
- Often the magic and supernatural happenings felt contrived and convenient. Fantasy is made up, but it should not feel like it is made up.
However, I did not encounter that at all with The Graveyard Book. The fantastical story was unique, flowed organically, and was super fun. While it was a bit dark in places, it was not scary - a light-hearted ghost story most of the time. The characters were excellent and I enjoyed my journey with them - I did not want it to end and I hated saying goodbye.
I highly recommend this one and will more than likely be pointing fellow readers to this one if they want to try Gaiman.
So . . . the curse is broken . . . will I have additional success if I try others or do I end my pursuit on top?
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Reading Progress
November 14, 2020
–
Started Reading
November 14, 2020
– Shelved
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
audio
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
hoopla
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
horror
November 14, 2020
– Shelved as:
supernatural
November 16, 2020
–
Finished Reading
November 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
young-adult
November 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
Liane
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 17, 2020 08:00PM
![Liane](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1708661544p1/8729679.jpg)
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![Eric Richards](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1570564844p1/649046.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
The ones I have tried previously are Good Omens, American Gods, and, my least favorite, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
I have heard good things about Neverwhere from MANY people. So if I don't end here, that is probably my next Gaiman stop.
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Thanks, Saul!
Sounds like another vote for me to try Neverwhere! :D
![Neo Marshkga](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1720131570p1/31271747.jpg)
Happy that you enjoyed it, i love reading your reviews :D
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Interesting . . . I don't think anyone has mentioned Anansi Boys to me before when recommending.
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Happy that you enjoyed it, i love reading your reviews :D"
Thank you, Neo! I love to hear that!
Sadly, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was one of his books that I could not stand. I almost DNFed - it was one of the longest short books I ever read! But, seems like I am in the minority on that opinion.
![Jennifer](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1683913552p1/76402816.jpg)
![Chad](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1623937279p1/25388909.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
While I do think this one could possibly make a cool mini-series . . . I agree that maybe it is best left on the page. I guess at least we can ignore it if they make it into a show and we hear it is bad! :)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Thanks, Karen! I appreciate your kind words!
And, I am glad you like this one, too! :D
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Another vote for Neverwhere! :)
I have read Good Omens twice . . . the second time hoping for a better result. Felt mediocre to me both times. Pretty sure I am in the minority with those feelings.
![Trish](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1588663568p1/3461034.jpg)
The "problem" with GO is that it's a collaboration. Those are usually hit-or-miss.
As for Gaiman's other works, I shall refuse to speak with you. ;P *proudly displays her Gaiman fan badge*
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes joking tone comes through the internet this time since it doesn't always*
![Trish](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1588663568p1/3461034.jpg)
Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes joking tone comes..."
Let's talk about this like adults, shall we?
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1605817834ra/30400890.gif)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Hey, I can't help it if you have bad taste! #BURN
*hopes j..."
Beyonce with a ball bat!? Things just got REAL!
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Sounds like your experiences have been similar to mine - glad we found one we both liked!
![Helen](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1342121072p1/314287.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Which others have you read? This is for sure my favorite of his so far!
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
The favorite of a Neil Gaiman fan - glad I liked this one then! When I don't like someone's favorite, I feel kinda bad!
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
I saw the Stardust movie, but never read the book. Norse Mythology did not sound interesting to me.
![Chad](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1623937279p1/25388909.jpg)
The Stardust book is a billion times better with beautiful illustrations from Charles Vess. I actually had a chance to meet Neil Gaiman and get him to autograph my copy of the original issues years ago.
![Jonathan K (Max Outlier)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1710694687p1/32433113.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
It sounds like you feel the same as I have traditionally felt about Gaiman, so this could be a winner for you! Good luck if you try it!
![Karen](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1547773608p1/4887506.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
I don't know Odd and the Frost Giants, but I am not a fan of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Which one was that?
![Liane](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1708661544p1/8729679.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Okay, well, that was one I really didn't care for, so, if you have the same trends as I do, you will like this one!
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
Oh, Anansi Boys is a sequel to American Gods? I didn't know that.
![Ruth Failor](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1594923530p1/10778690.jpg)
![Liane](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1708661544p1/8729679.jpg)
![Matthew](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1464987365p1/16254355.jpg)
HA! Nope, Sequel sounds perfect to me! :) Thanks for the extra info/background on Anansi Boys. I did not care much for American Gods, so I am not sure if I will try and book similar to it, but it is good to know!