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Coraline

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'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is a dark and twisted children's tale about a young girl named Coraline who discovers a parallel world that mirrors her own but is filled with eerie and unsettling differences. As Coraline navigates this strange world, she encounters an Other Mother and Other Father who seem loving and caring, but she soon realizes their true intentions are malevolent. With the help of a talking cat, Coraline must summon her courage and wit to save herself, her real parents, and other lost souls trapped in this nightmarish alternate reality. Neil Gaiman's writing style effectively combines elements of horror, fantasy, and adventure to create a gripping and suspenseful story that keeps readers on edge.

Characters:

The characters in the story include a brave protagonist, a sinister antagonist known as the Other Mother, and quirky neighbors, all contributing to the eerie undertone of the plot.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is straightforward and accessible, combining whimsical and dark elements to create a creepy atmosphere, with vivid imagery that engages the reader's imagination.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Coraline discovering a secret door in her new home that leads to a parallel world, where she must confront the dangers posed by the Other Mother to save her real parents.

Setting:

The setting includes Coraline's ordinary and somewhat dreary real world contrasted with a vibrant but sinister parallel universe, creating an immersive atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and suspenseful, allowing for quick reading while consistently building tension as Coraline navigates her challenges.
Miss Spink and Miss Forcible lived in the flat below Coraline's, on the ground floor. They were both old and round, and they lived in their flat with a number of ageing Highland terriers who had names...

Notes:

Coraline's name is pronounced to rhyme with 'horror wine'.
Coraline finds a locked door that leads to a brick wall initially, but later discovers it's a passage to another world.
The other world features alternate versions of Coraline's family and neighbors, highlighted by the other mother having buttons for eyes.
Coraline represents themes of bravery and realizing the value of one's family.
Neil Gaiman wrote Coraline based on a request for scary stories from his daughter.
The book contains elements of horror suitable for children, often being described as 'scary but delightful'.
The book has won numerous awards, including the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Coraline's character development reflects a struggle against neglect and thirst for adventure.
There are illustrations by Dave McKean that add to the eerie atmosphere of the story.
Coraline's adventure is often compared to other fairy tales, like Alice in Wonderland, but it carries a darker tone.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of horror, creepy imagery, and potential nightmares due to the sinister events involving the Other Mother and other characters.

From The Publisher:

When Coraline moves to a new house she is fascinated by the fact that their house is in fact only half a house.

Divided into flats years before, the other flat, it soon becomes clear to Coraline, is not quite as cosy and safe as her own.

Ratings (285)

Incredible (60)
Loved It (102)
Liked It (75)
It Was OK (35)
Did Not Like (11)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (521):

Read It (304)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (133)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (78)

5 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

This is my second reading of

Coraline, and it is just as good as I remember. Gaiman excels at "everday" characters in unusual circumstances, and Coraline is no exception.

Coraline is both simple enough for older children and nuanced enough for adults. There is frightening imagery here if you linger over it; I know the basement scene would have scared me as a child.*

Short enough to read in a day, creepy and intellectual enough to remember forever.

*True fact: the basement scene still scares me.

 
Incredible
3 months

***5.0***

Coraline is a creepy tale. Coraline is a single child of working parents. They are always busy and Coraline often finds amusement in exploring. When the family moves into a new flat, Coraline starts exploring and soon finds a door which opens into a bricked wall. This door is a constant attraction to Coraline. One day when she opens it, the door leads to a hallway and mirror image of her house. She soons finds out that there are her "other" parents who are spooky and their eyes have turned into buttons.

These "other" parents, especially mother wants to keep Coraline with her and tries all the tricks to keep her. Coraline, on the other hand tries all that can take her back home.

Narrated by Coraline's view point, very deliciously spooky tale. I loved every bit of it. I remember watching the movie few years ago, but didn't like it that much. Coraline's adventures in the parallel world is a must read. :)

Happy Reading!!!

 
Hated It
5 months

All his writing has misogyny built in, further confirmed by the rl whisper network saying women should never be alone with him - sadly unable to protect everyone.

 
Loved It
5 months

A nice little fairy tail with horror twist.

 
Loved It
7 months

This book gave me nightmares for a week but it was worth it.

 
 
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