Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I am getting used to late review now 😉

My school’s library has a book that I have been eager to read, Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Coraline, for me, till this day is still the best western animation I have ever seen (I said western because for me best of all animation belongs to Spirited Away). So dark, so unpredictable, so creative and magical…the kind of animation that easily attracts me. I have long known that Coraline is based on a book under the same title…but I never had a chance to read it till last January.

I have finished the book more than a month ago…and that’s why this is a late review #sigh

The story is basically same with the animation BUT the details are different.

In the movie, Coraline went to the other world several times till she was finally locked by her other mother…in the book, she only went once and already knew something was not right in the other world.

Let’s begin from the beginning.

Coraline is an only child and lives with her unique parents. Coraline seems like a lonely child with super busy parents who hardly even notice her. Her mom rarely cooks proper food and her dad, though working at home, is always busy. She is left alone to explore or visit the neighbours.

One day, feeling abandoned by her parents, Coraline opens the door with the wall behinds it…but she no longer finds the wall there, it leads to somewhere. To her other house with her other mother and father. Something about her other mother makes her uneasy. She is afraid but she has to rely on her strength to get away from that place ans saves her parents and new found ghost friends.

Coraline, tho written as a book for children, is actually quite dark for children but the message is well delivered. I forgot on which page, it said about it’s brave when you do it even though you are afraid. There’s no bravery in something you do if you do not face your fear…something like that. I honestly think that that’s a great message for any children and adult. Facing our own fear is the hardest thing to do.

The writing is easy to understand and quite simple, I guess it’s because the book is after all for children, but the way the story flows is not as simple as it seems. I really like the imagination in this book, it’s a creative imagination.

Coraline is not my first Neil Gaiman’s book. After being amazed by Coraline – the animation, I looked for his books and found American Gods. I couldn’t finished that book at all…I believe I began my Neil Gaiman’s book from the wrong one. I really like Coraline and it makes me wants to try his other books…but I might not buy it because I don’t want to gamble it again like when I bought American Gods.

If you like the animation, I think you should also read the book…or vice versa 😉

Book Detail:

Title: Coraline
Author: Neil Gaiman
Language: English
Page: 162
Rating: