A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. Read by the author. New York: Harper Collins Audio. Audiobook (Unabridged), 7 compact discs; 7.5 hours. ISBN 0061551895.
B. SUMMARY
The Graveyard Book is a children’s fantasy novel written by Neil Gaiman, who is famous for his graphic novels, most notably the Sandman comics, as well as novels such as Coraline, Neverwhere, and American Gods. The story centers around a boy named Nobody Owens, who is the sole survivor of the massacre of his family at the hands of a sinister character named Jack. Nobody or Bod as he comes to be known, is adopted as a baby by the Owens, a pair of husband and wife ghosts, and is sheltered by the rest of the inhabitants of a graveyard close to his former home. Bod also has a guardian in the form of Silas, a tall man who straddles the world of the living and the dead.
Each chapter of the story sees Bod growing up from infancy to adolescence, and Bod learns skills that ordinary humans do not possess. One of these skills is Fading, where Bod is able to create the illusion that he is invisible, a trait which proves useful time and again as his relentless pursuer, Jack, continues to hunt him. As Bod grows older, he finds himself awkwardly trying to balance his life in the graveyard, amongst the dead, and also his yearning for a life outside the graveyard, amongst the living. Unfortunately, there are many in the world of the living who are intent on causing Bod harm, which keeps him a prisoner in the graveyard.
In spite of his circumstances, Bod does make friends among the living. Scarlett is a little girl he befriends at age five, and the pair get into some interesting adventures, including a creepy encounter with the Sleer, entities that date back to Druid times. When Scarlett moves away to Scotland, Bod is left pining for her, but she returns many years later, as Bod faces the greatest challenge in his young life, which might decide his future once and for all.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The analysis here will focus on the audiobook (I also read the book so as to make a comparison). It is an unabridged version, on seven discs, and runs a total of 7.5 hours. Interestingly, it is Gaiman himself that reads his own work, and delivers a compelling performance. In his reading, Gaiman is able to provide individual ‘voices’ to each of his characters so as to render them distinct in the listener’s mind. Being the author and the reader of his own work is to the advantage of the listener here as Gaiman reflects a deep understanding of the story and his characters. For example, one of the characters in the story is a girl named Scarlett who meets Bod when she is five, and then goes away to Scotland before returning ten years later. Gaiman actually reads her part with a hint of a Scottish brogue when she returns to Bod at fifteen which elevates the credibility factor of this audio production.
The sense of dread that runs through this story is credibly evoked through the nuances in Gaiman’s tone of voice. Certain scenes are memorable, especially the chapter where Bod gets kidnapped by ghouls and is taken into the underworld where the ghouls live. Gaiman’s reading evokes a high sense of tension and menace and leaves the reader in a state of eager anticipation as to what occurs next, and wondering if Bod makes it out in one piece. The pivotal setting for this story is the graveyard, and in both Gaiman’s reading (and writing), the graveyard is not just a place of eternal rest for the long departed, but also a safe refuge and home for Bod, and a place of schooling where Bod learns his letters, reading, and also skills that prepare him to face his adversaries.
The theme is in essence a coming of age story which most adolescents will relate to. Bod is an endearing character because he is innocent yet is quickly schooled in the ways of the world, and finds himself having to grow up quite quickly given his special circumstances. Bod is also a character with much courage and sense of morality, and is a character that will inspire admiration and elicit empathy. His sense of alienation and feeling abandoned at certain points in the story will also strike a chord with many listeners/readers. This story not only holds appeal for children and young adults, but also adults since the theme of learning to let go is also portrayed here. The adults in Bod’s life, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Owens, his guardian Silas, etc. all learn to let Bod go, knowing that his ultimate home is amongst the living.
The Graveyard Book is a blend of the supernatural and fantasy and is inhabited by not only ghosts and humans, but other supernatural creatures such as a werewolf, ancient entities, ghouls, a witch-ghost, and also alludes to the presence of a vampire. The story flows well despite the introduction of all these different entities, and makes this an engaging and interesting story.
D. AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
Awards/Review Excerpt for the audiobook:
Audiobook of the Year, Audie Award (2009)
Audiofile Magazine: “Gaiman gives each specter a different—and wholly appropriate—voice, but he doesn't stop there. He even goes so far as to change a character's accent ever so slightly after she comes back from years and years abroad. Best of all, Gaiman performs a shift of character voice that is an absolute showstopper when he reveals the villain.”
Books for Ears (Audio Book Reviews): “Neil Gaiman reads his Newbery Medal winning book beautifully. His nod to Kipling’s The Jungle Book is just scary enough, intriguing, inventive, well-written, enchanting . . . it’s downright wonderful.”
Awards/Review Excerpts for the novel:
Locus Award, Best YA Novel (2008)
Hugo Award (2009)
Newbery Award (2009)
Novel winner of the 2010 Carnegie Medal
The New York Times: “The Graveyard Book, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form…The story's language and humor are sophisticated, but Gaiman respects his readers and trusts them to understand…In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.”
The Washington Post: “The book's power lies in Gaiman's ability to bring to quirky life (pun intended) the graveyard's many denizens, including a protective vampire and a feisty medieval witch. Like a bite of dark Halloween chocolate, this novel proves rich, bittersweet and very satisfying.”
Publishers Weekly: “The author riffs on the Jungle Book, folklore, nursery rhymes and history; he tosses in werewolves and hints at vampires-and he makes these figures seem like metaphors for transitions in childhood and youth.”
Booklist: “This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming….this is a rich story with broad appeal. ”
Kirkus Reviews: “Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme-inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward.”
New York Times Book Review: “THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form. In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.”
E. CONNECTIONS
*Some of the themes and even scenes in this story were inspired by themes found in the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Children and Young Adults can be encouraged to read the Jungle Book (which is considered a classic of children’s literature today) and compare and contrast the two works. This can also be used as a basis for discussion and encouraging young adults to voice their opinions regarding the themes covered in both works, and how they felt about the stories. This can be done in various formats such as a Socratic Seminar, debates, etc.
*Readers Theater will get children and young adults engaged in exploring this work in a more interactive manner.
*There are several works that can be suggested as further reading for Young Adults who love The Graveyard Book:
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. CORALINE. Harper Festival. ISBN 0061649691.
Gaiman, Neil. 2003. NEVERWHERE. Harper Perennial. ISBN 0060557812.
THE LAST APPRENTICE series by Joseph Delaney
THE YOUNG MERLIN TRILOGY by Jane Yolen
McNish, Cliff. 2009. BREATHE: A GHOST STORY. First Avenue Editions. ISBN 0761349626.
*Additional link on The Graveyard Book:
http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx
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