by Neil Gaiman

This is a prime example of what is known as Magical Realism, a story set in the ordinary world that wanders into some magical situations. It's an enchanting story about a man who visits his childhood home and the house of a girl who lived at the end of the lane, Lettie, who became his friend during a difficult time in his life.

The story has a genuine feel to it, as if the author is writing of his own personal experience, yet some of the things that happen challenge believability and bring up the question of how much childhood imagination might color our memories of early years. Gaiman has suggested in interviews that he drew on his own childhood experiences for some of the events in the book, though the reader wonders where childhood imagination leaves off and actual strange occurrences might have actually happened.

The narrative has a dreamy, poetic quality to it at times that suits the story very well. I'm inclined to think it's the best thing Gaiman has ever written, though I haven't read all of his books. Lettie shows the boy alternate realities in a way that feels very real and her family comes over as party to these magical experiences as well.

This is an easy 5 star read and a re-read for me.

This is a fun story giving unexpected insights into the character and history of the Marquis de Carabas - however, if you don't already know who that is, you will miss a great deal and should probably read Neverwhere, first.

Unexpected insights into our protagonist!

These are all books from my physical TBR:

1. Himself by Jess Kidd

2. Odyssee by Homer

3. Sylvester by Georgette Heyer

4. The Village by Marghanita Laski

5. Miss Silver Intervenes by Patricia Wentworth

6. The Amber Fury by Natalie Haynes

7. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

8. They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer

9. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

10. The Leper of Saint Giles by Ellis Peters

Nice! I´m really excited for this book.

by Neil Gaiman

This is a very imaginative story about a baby whose parents are murdered, but he alone of his family escapes into a graveyard. He is adopted by the spirits there and has an unusual life, growing up among the dead.

He is called Bod, short for Nobody, and as he grows, his adventures take us through different worlds, including discovering the city of the ghouls. He learns ghostly antics that should be impossible for humans, but it's a Fantasy, so rules of Physics do not apply.

The trouble with Gaiman books is that I can't help comparing them to other Gaiman books. I can't say this is as good as The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, but it's a good story, if a little on the young side. It gets quite exciting towards the end. The people who killed his family are still out there and eventually we will learn who they are and why.

It's a satisfying read and will definitely appeal to children and YA readers.