Madeline
Neil Gaiman, the author of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, is that whimsical writer who has a very unique tone and few other authors can mimic. Although he has worked on a number of projects that are well known, I do not think his name is as known as his works. The Ocean at the End of the Lane was the most recent of his works that I have picked up but joins the collection of many of his other works as favorites.
Premise of The Ocean at the End of the Lane
It starts with a man reminiscing of being a young boy of eight years old who lives with his mother, father, and older sister in England. A tragic and traumatizing experience shoots off the horrors in this boy’s life but luckily he has his neighbor, Lettie, with her ocean at the end of the lane, which is actually a pond, helps to bring him back to the safe zone. When a new caretaker for him and his sister moves in and dad seems to take a liking to her while mom is working, things only get worse.
Other Neil Gaiman Works & Similarities
Although I have never read the story, the movie of Coraline is one of my favorite animated movies. It was not until much later after making this proclamation that I learned that Coraline is a book of Neil Gaiman’s. Although I have read many of his other books, American Gods, Norse Mythology, and many others, The Ocean at the End of the Lane most resembled Coroline which makes me hope that one day, it too will be made into an animated movie.
Final Thoughts
After reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Coraline and other Neil Gaiman books made it back on my “to read” list. It was similar to many other books I have enjoyed such as VE Schwab’s books including A Gathering of Shadows. The beginning of The Ocean at the End of the Lane starts easy to understand and then before you know it you are brought down a rabbit hole of “what is going on?”s and I love it.
