It wasn't until recently that I learned the film Coraline was originally a book written by Neil Gaiman. Naturally, I decided to buy a copy and read it. The book is essentially a child's horror story.
Coraline is a story of a young British girl called Coraline. She moves into a new flat in a new city with her parents. She has several neighbours, Mr Bobo who homes circus mice and the retired actresses Mrs Spink and Miss Forcible. Coraline finds herself bored in the flat as her parents work and discovers a little door in the pantry of her home. Through the door, she visits an alternate world where things are supposed to be exactly to her pleasing. This world is created by The Beldam (The Other Mother). We follow Coraline through an adventure of discovery as she takes on The Beldam. Through a game, she attempts to retrieve the lost souls of the children before her and return her parents who were stolen from her. All with the help of the cat.
A brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I found that it was different from the film, in a really good way. Henry Selick (Director) had taken some creative license by adding characters like Whyby and the little doll of Coraline. With the overall plot, the film didn't stray from the book.
I really enjoyed reading the book just as much as I enjoy watching the film. In this particular version (Bloomsbury) the illustrations by Chris Riddell were incredible. I liked how they used illustrations to introduce each chapter, it was a really nice touch.
It was an easy read of 191 pages, I opened it just to read a chapter whilst I was waiting for my food to cook and I was completely engulfed. Had it not been for the timer and not wanting to burn my tea I would have finished the entire book in one sitting. It flowed really well, you were just sucked into the story. One minute I was on page 30 the next page 100. It was refreshing to be transported to a world like that.
I have nothing negative to say about this book, it is ever so charming. A very easy ready, I think I will read again in the future.
What book are you currently reading?
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