Friday, November 14, 2014

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Audiobook Review)

His story began with death . . . the death of his cat caused by a man that inflicted death upon himself.  The young boy wanders down the lane and ends up sitting at the neighbor's kitchen table with Lettie Hempstock and her family.  During this difficult time, the young boy finds refuge in this home.  He finds a friend like he has never found before, one that understands him.  He also discovers a world he never knew and an evil that lurked within his own walls.

Our story began with death ... the young boy, now a middle-age man, traveling back to his hometown to attend a funeral.  He finds himself wandering yet again, remembering the past that he had forgotten and the friendship that was like no other.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a tale of fiction and a bit of fantasy, but it feels so real.  Hauntingly real.  The end was one that left me with a mix of emotions, and possibly even a little confused.  Just the feelings that death typically leave you with in real life.

Neil Gaiman put on a brilliant performance, both in his writing and in his reading.  However, this is a story that I also feel I need to revisit . . . in writing . . . to more fully appreciate all this story has to offer.

What were your thoughts and feelings after reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane?  Did you read it or listen to it?

14 comments:

  1. this was my first book by Gaiman. I loved it, and I listened to it. Gaiman's own voice was so perfect to convey the atmosphere of the book. Now I need to read more by him!

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    1. wordsandpeace.com ... I've only read a couple more by him. This was not my favorite, but I do have to wonder if I would like it more in print. I loved him narrating though!

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  2. You know, I own two of Neil Gaiman's books, LOVE listening to him talk, and I've yet to read more than a chapter in each! lol

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    1. writersideup.com ... I could read so much more by Gaiman. He has so much stuff out there that people rave about!

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  3. I love Neil Gaiman, but this wasn't my favorite of his. I'm wondering if it'll improve on a reread. Everyone else seems to have just adored it!

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    1. Jenny @ Reading the End ... So, what is your favorite? I would love to read more and there is soooo much to choose from.

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  4. I listened to this one and loved every minute of it. You make me want to listen to it again.

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    1. Michelle S ... I will admit that I really enjoyed listening to Gaiman read this one. I think you get a unique perspective when the writer reads his own work.

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  5. Not many authors can pull off reading their book, good to know this audio is a good one!

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    1. Becca Lostinbooks ... This is true! Gaiman is one who is definitely successful!

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  6. I definitely got something different out of it in a text reading versus an audiobook listen. It had a different tone when Gaiman read it. I liked it better when I read it first. My next reread will be in text.

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    1. Kristen M. ... I can totally see this. I definitely plan to read this in text next time.

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  7. Here are my thoughts on the book: http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-ocean-at-end-of-lane-neil-gaiman.html

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    1. Melissa Wiebe ... Off to check it out right now!

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