Book Review: The Graveyard Book

Imagine that you're growing up without any parents. Imagine that a kindly group of strangers have taken you in and are raising you. Now imagine that all of those strangers have been dead for centuries. Halloween came and went a long time ago, but if you find yourself in the mood for something a little spooky — or just a really, really good story— I’ve got just the thing.

It’s called The Graveyard Book, and it’s a children's novel written by Neil Gaiman. Neil usually writes for adults (older readers of The Splot should check out the Sandman graphic novels, Neverwhere, American Gods, or Fragile Things, a collection of short stories), but he’s written for kids in the past — Coraline, his first novel for a younger audience, is being made into a movie by the guy who did The Nightmare Before Christmas.

(Check out the trailer below! It actually gives a pretty good idea of what Mr. Gaiman’s writing is like: stylish, slightly twisted fairy tales.)

The Graveyard Book is the story of a young boy — called Bod, short for Nobody — who’s adopted by the (deceased) (obviously) inhabitants of a local graveyard after his parents are murdered. Like I said — it’s a little scary. It’s never gory or gruesome, but some parts might give you shivers. Some of us like that, though . . .

To say any more would give too much away, but the book manages the impressive and difficult feat of advancing an exciting overarching plot through a series of short vignettes (self-contained stories or scenes) about Bod as he grows up and learns the ways of the world. Each chapter up until the last could actually probably be read on its own and still be a great story, and I’m impressed that Neil managed to pull that off while still linking them all to the very cool plot of the book as a whole.

And his prose (his style of writing, the words he chooses, the way he structures his sentences, etc.) is great. He’s got this sly sense of black humor — I lost count of the number of puns he made on the word “grave” — and a very theatrical, visual way of writing. You can definitely see the action playing out in your head.

If you liked watching Katniss change and grow up in The Hunger Games, or seeing our world given a little twist in Harry Potter, or the dark, fantastical elements of Twilight, then you’ll love The Graveyard Book. It’s a quick, easy read, but it’s a lot of fun. Especially if you miss Halloween already.

Till next time, Splotters!

— Jack, STACKS Staffer

Comments

[Comment #1]

I love, love, loved The Graveyard Book. I always read the Newberry winners and this just may be one of the best winners ever!

[Comment #2]

awsum... cool beans dude

[Comment #3]

The Graveyard Book was Great. It made me think about how many people help eachother out. Even ghosts.
Lol

[Comment #4]

I LUV THIS BOOK! i read it for my summer reading and i loved it! can u make a second graveyard book?!

[Comment #5]

Ilove your books

[Comment #6]

dude i need these notes for a project, idc if you'll give it away i want u 2

[Comment #7]

Hi this is Mariah I love listening to the graveyard book online it was really good in the first chapter.