| Over two decades ago, Neil Gaiman truly | | | | framework that includes spiritual, astral beings. Yes, |
| revolutionized the comic book industry with his | | | | Gaiman is a creative author and that is what makes |
| amazing work in the comic book industry. Roughly 8 | | | | his work so engaging. |
| years ago, Gaiman made the transition into novel | | | | Of course, the ending of the novel yields a |
| writing and his work has been nothing short of | | | | confrontation between Nobody and the assassin that |
| spectacular. This is evidenced in the release of his | | | | murdered his family. While the confrontation does |
| novel, The Graveyard Book. | | | | follow some of the conventions of a traditional |
| On the surface, this book appears to be a horror | | | | revenge tale, there are enough "spins" present that |
| novel but upon reading the first few chapters, it | | | | the confrontation never becomes predictable or |
| becomes obvious this is more than a run of the mill | | | | derivative. No, Gaiman is a far more talented author |
| horror yarn. This is an incredibly multifaceted work | | | | than one that would deliver little more than "the |
| that is truly one of the more unique and interesting | | | | same old, same old". |
| works of dark (and, for that matter upbeat) fantasy | | | | What makes this an engaging work is that it harkens |
| on bookstore shelves. | | | | back to the days of gothic, grim children's literature. |
| The plot of this work is one of the more original | | | | In time, children's literature - which was quite dark in |
| narratives to come down the proverbial pike in many | | | | previous centuries - began to soften and lose its bite. |
| years. The novel is the tale of Nobody Owens. When | | | | While this book is clearly written for and marketed to |
| Nobody was born, his family was murdered by an | | | | adults, Gaiman still is successful in bringing back the |
| assassin. Nobody, however, was spared in a very | | | | weird genre conventions of dark children's fantasy. |
| unique way: he found himself in a cemetery where | | | | This is why it stands out as such a unique work |
| he immediately fell under the protection of the | | | | which further contributes to its popularity. |
| ghosts that inhabited the cemetery. These ghosts | | | | Those looking for a thoroughly original and engaging |
| not only protect Nobody. They raise him from a | | | | work of dark fiction will certainly enjoy reading The |
| newborn through his adolescence. Of course, this | | | | Graveyard Book. |
| makes for quite the unique upbringing since the | | | | Far too often, fantasy books are cut from the same |
| dynamic between ghosts and humans is quite | | | | mold. With Gaiman's work, this is certainly not the |
| different. | | | | case as his innovative and visionary style is among |
| Therein exists much of the allegorical components to | | | | the most original a reader could discover. |
| the tale. The differences between ghosts and | | | | (The Graveyard Book which came out in October |
| humans are a microcosm of the differences between | | | | 2008 has won the Newbery Award which is one of |
| people in general. The irony of the relationship | | | | the most distinguished awards for children's books. |
| between Nobody and the ghosts centers on the fact | | | | The book has also been nominated for a Hugo |
| that humans share many of the same differences. | | | | Award. First editions of the book should prove to be |
| From this, we can watch the interaction between the | | | | very collectible. Signed first editions have already |
| characters from a different perspective that allows | | | | appreciated considerably. |
| us to examine human relationships within a | | | | |