Review : The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Pages : 181
Genre : Magical Realism, Fantasy
Stand alone
My Rating : 4/5
About the Book :
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years—promised to protect him, no matter what…
My Thoughts :
I feel like saying “That was very Neil Gaiman” will create a good enough portrait of The Ocean at the End of the Lane for most readers already familiar with Neil Gaiman’s world, whether they love it or hate it. Which is crazy, because Neil Gaiman has worn many hats in his career, writing complex novels and children’s stories and many other things in between. This book falls somewhere among these, yet not completely either.
It’s pretty clear by now, that I have no idea how to review this book – but I’ll try, because it was quite an adventure!
From the start, the narration of The Ocean at the End of the Lane both intrigued and pulled me in. There was an air of mystery about it all, and something about it all felt both old and new at once. Like a story already visited, but one that you couldn’t quite remember (Ha!) And as you follow first the old man, then the younger version of himself through his memories, you can’t help but connect with him. Neil Gaiman writes childhood like no other does, and I was taken back to these magical first years of our life when everything seems possible.
And it was scary. Such a weird experience for me! I read a ton of psychological thrillers, horror novels, paranormal stories, and while I sometimes get a shiver of fear here and there, I can’t remember the last time I was this affected by a book. In parts due to Gaiman’s great writing, and in parts because he just happened to write about a very specific phobia of mine (having insects and the like in your body – eeeeek), this book was very hard for me to go through with. I had to literally put it down and do something else, because I felt physically sick.
That doesn’t sound like a good endorsement for the book, right? But other than that, I promise, I really enjoyed it! The story was weird and dark, yet magical and hopeful. I was constantly surprised by the turns the story took. Anytime I thought it was going into familiar territory, something else happened and twisted it up in an unexpected way. Once I finished it, I felt as if I had just walked through someone’s very strange dreams, something both from this world and another, something completely unique and timeless.
The Ocean at the End of Lane was a very short read, but it left a lasting impression on me. I read it for the R.I.P. challenge and it was a perfect pick, both for the season and the challenge. Despite its uncomfortable (understatement of the year!) parts, I’m pretty sure I’ll grow to love it even more as time goes by.
Gaiman is hit or miss for me so I’ve hesitated to read this. I need to give it a try.
Ah! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts. The thing about Gaiman is that he does so many different things, it’s hard to predict what you’ll enjoy and how much so!
I read it sometime last summer and I liked it. As you said, it has a dream quality but I could not tell you the details of the plot. Thank you for your review, its nice to be reminded of a good read.
It’s very unique in genre, for sure! 🙂 Gaiman really writes the stuff of dreams & nightmares!
Neil Gaiman definitely does childhood and magical-creepy in just the right amounts! I must say, though, the idea of insects in your body is turning me off right now, ha, I think I share that phobia with you :/
Haha! It’s definitely not a pleasant idea :/
But the rest of it was so surreal in a magical way – magical-creepy is definitely the right word!
I don’t have that specific phobia, and I STILL cringed at that part! It was very visceral. Oddly, though, this book ended up not really sticking in my brain beyond a few little pieces. I find that a lot with Gaiman, like I’m just not getting fully immersed when I read, and I don’t know why!
I’m not surprised to hear others found it unpleasant too; even without a specific phobia, Gaiman is a very skilled writer for these types of things.
I have a bit of a similar experience with Gaiman. His stories create very vivid imagery for me, like photographs; but later, I couldn’t tell you much about the details of the story.
really enjoyed your review, sounds like you liked the book as much as i did! i just posted a review of this as well! http://pazvsstuff.blogspot.co.uk/
Yes, I definitely enjoyed it! Glad to hear you did too!
Kudos to you! I hadn’t thohgut of that!