The Graveyard Book: 05/10/09

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (with illustrations by Dave McKean) won the Middle Grade Cybils in the Science Fiction and Fantasy category. It's the story of Nobody Owens who is adopted by the "residents" of the next door cemetery when his family is brutally murdered.

Unlike so many recent orphan stories, Bod, as he's known by his friends and adopted family, is a well loved and happy child. His childhood may be unconventional and his schooling spotty by modern standards but he is still a happy and well adjusted child.

At the back of the book Gaiman describes the history behind The Graveyard Book. He points first and foremost to The Jungle Book and yes, it does share many similarities with the two volumes that make up Kipling's best known work. There's the young boy raised by an unlikely family (ghosts and other creatures of the night instead of the animals of India), an assassin disguised as a friend (Shere Kahn vs. Jay Frost), becoming one of the group (by seeing the elephants dance vs. the danse macabre) and so forth.

If you haven't read The Jungle Book you can still enjoy The Graveyard Book. The story is engaging, charming while being creepy and sometimes down right frightening. Key points in the novel are brought to life with Dave McKean's illustrations. There is a portrait of Bod on page 294 at the start of the final chapter that is very close to the author photograph at the back of the book. Gaiman says the story was inspired by his son Mike when he was two (although it took him twenty some years to finish the book!) but it seems that there's a lot of Neil in all his male leads.

Finally, if you do read the book (and I hope you do!), take the time to read the Acknowledgments on pages 311-2. I love it when authors share the methods and stories behind their finished works. Besides learning about the connection between The Jungle Book and The Graveyard Book, you will learn about the people who inspired the book and the others who helped in any number of ways. I did not expect to see (but was delighted to) Audrey Niffenegger and Moby among the long list of friends who helped.

Comments (6)

Comment #1: Monday, May, 11, 2009 at 07:32:11

samulli

I just read the book recently and loved it. I am not really sure if I would let small kids read it as some of the scenes were indeed quite creepy and I could imagine they could be nightmare-inducing for younger kids. But since I don't have kids myself I could just enjoy it as a lovely story. :)

Comment #2: Monday May 11, 2009 at 11:40:11

Pussreboots

How small is small? My two already enjoy ghost stories and monster stories. I would have no problem with either of them reading it in a few years.

Comment #3: Monday, May, 11, 2009 at 12:49:03

Staci

this is in my TBR pile and I hope to get to it soon...loved your review!

Comment #4: Monday, May 11, 2009 at 11:43:30

Pussreboots

Thank you for those kind words re my review. I hope you enjoy the book. Happy reading!

Comment #5: Tuesday, May, 12, 2009 at 17:16:29

Marie

Great review. i haven't read Gaiman- I'm probably the only one who hasn't!- but I may have to now!

Comment #6: Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 13:22:32

Pussreboots

Neil Gaiman writes in a variety of styles and genres. He's so all over the place that I've seen some book stores that just put his books in their own special section. Give his book a try. What genres or types of books to do you prefer?