Al Do (RaDo)
The style is definitely Neil Gaiman's, but I was expecting something more original. Coraline feels a bit too close to this book, as mood and language. The Hempstocks felt like a shallow extracted character set from American Gods (or at least the way I remember the book). I guess I was yearning for something more substantial and complex, another American Gods. That's why I felt quite let down. Better pick American Gods by the same author, or some great China Mieville books like City&City or Perdido Street Station. Or, if you like Gaiman's style, go for some Murakami (Kafka on the Shore, Windup Bird Chronicles; or After Dark for a short read).
18 people found this review helpful
Jon and Chris Bergeron
This book is almost beyond words to describe. It is the pinnacle of a master-storyteller; a storyteller who exceeds every other person alive or who has lived. From beginning to end this book is superb. The writing is poetry in novel form. It is a fairy tale that will survive the ages and a story I am going to happily pass down to my daughter when she reaches middle school. I do not know how he writes like he does but I am grateful for living in a time a storyteller of his caliber is alive and writing.
12 people found this review helpful
krissy malott
Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of the best books I've read since The Book Thief. Neil Gaiman is an extraordinary author that pulls you into his story and delves deep into his character and emotion pool to open up and awaken a past and a future where both wait in the middle. I read this book four times in a row because each time I found something new. A new perspective, a new emotion, a fresh view on the journey and a tie to the emotions and the history involved. Discover it, pass it on, share it, Ocean at the End of the Lane is a wonderful story.
19 people found this review helpful