Friday, January 16, 2015

Book Review: Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"



When a little boy visits his neighbors, he realizes there is much more to them than meets the eye.  They speak as if far older than their appearances would suggest they are, and the youngest, Lettie, insists that the pond in their back yard is really an ocean.  The young narrator finds himself tagging along with Lettie on a mission through another realm to banish a meddling spirit.  Unbeknownst to the children, the young boy brings something back with him that soon disrupts his world.  Now a prisoner in his own home, the boy must find a way to escape and seek help from his magical neighbors.  The price to set things right, however, is much higher than he would ever have guessed.


The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a beautifully written fairy tale that I had difficulty putting down.  The story is rather dark in places, but the innocence of the young narrator keeps it from being too heavy for long.  Gaiman does a fantastic job portraying the wonder and vulnerability of a child whilst still providing the depth necessary to keep the novel interesting for adults.  I enjoyed following along as the narrator was drawn deeper and deeper into the magical world of the Hempstocks.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane from Amazon

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