Review of The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Author: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Headline
Published: June 18, 2013
Pages: 181
Rating: 9 lightsabers (high five Gaiman!)

Summary from Goodreads

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond the world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed - within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it. His only defense is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

My Review

I love the way Neil Gaiman writes. The man knows how to write beautiful stories that have a haunting feel to them. I am a fan of The Sandman as well as Coraline. I've also read American Gods, but that book wasn't my favorite. Anyways, when I heard that Mr. Gaiman was releasing a new book this year I jumped up with joy! This book came out a few days ago and I immediately bought it. 

Okay, I'm not a gusher, but I'm going to gush over this book. I loved this little book. I immediately identified with the Narrator's love for books and how he relates more to books than people. Gaiman does a great job throughout the story making you remember what it feels like to be a child. This book is a fantastic adventure. There's horror, adventure, and fairy tale all mixed together

Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. Truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world. -The Ocean at the End of the Lane

 This is probably my favorite quote from the book, although there are many. I think it sums up exactly how I feel about becoming an adult. I've always thought that nobody is really an adult. We're just children pretending to be grown ups. The book is a beautiful nod to that thought.

As I said before, I absolutely loved this book. It was beautiful, dark, and short-just like childhood. If you're a fan of Gaiman then this is a must read! If you've never read any of his books before...then what are you waiting for?!

RATING: 9 Lightsabers!! 

NEXT REVIEW: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

 Best,
Brittany

ps. Thanks for reading my first review! I know it's a little short, but I'm still trying to get the hang of this whole process. Don't forget to leave a comment!