Review of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline"

If you ever check up on What I'm Reading, you will not only find out what I'm reading but also a little information about why I'm reading what I'm reading. I just finished reading "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman. I was supposed to be reading it with someone so we could talk about it while we were reading it and then after. But, as things usually go, like "Anansi Boys", we didn't get the chance to finish it together... or really talk about it that much together. So my thoughts about this book are just that: my thoughts.

I bought my copy of "Coraline" at a Half Price Books store. There were two copies of it. One was $3 and in really good shape, and the other was $2 and a little waterlogged. Being the thrifty person that I am I bought the cheaper one, but  for a second I want to tell you about the more expensive copy. I picked it up an flipped through the pages. I noticed something written in the front cover. In third grade cursive, it said, "This is the scariest book I have ever read!" What a great idea: leaving your reviews in the cover of the book! After that, I knew I would love the book.

Okay, after all that story, these are my thoughts about "Coraline":

I watched the movie before I read the book, and there was a lot about the movie that I didn't remember which is good because I was getting the story for what seemed like the first time. I don't want to tell you too much about the story, but here are a few things I really enjoyed about the story:

• It was scary! If I ever have kids, I will read this book to them and hopefully scare them silly!... I can see the pranks now... and they involve buttons. 
• I love that Neil Gaiman isn't afraid to make a children's book dark. By doing so, I feel like he is really giving kids credit for being stronger than we make them out to be. I mentioned this idea in my "Ender's Game" review. 
• I love Neil Gaiman's writing. Not just his books, but the actual way he writes things. He's very deliberate in his details. He's not overly detailed, and his action scenes are fantastic! I feel like he can capture people well in his books... or maybe it's that he create people well...

My major problem with this book is that it was so short, but it is a kid's book, so I will allow it. I was engaged the whole way through it and I find that I think about it and it's been about a week since I finished it. Kudos, Neil Gaiman, not many people have done that recently. So, would I recommend this book to others? Wholeheartedly.