THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE (ILLUSTRATED ED)

I was thrilled while reading the book. gaiman knows how to mesmerize the reader with his wonderful narrative. the story includes many elements of fantasy (and why not, it is indeed a fantasy novel) like witchcraft, horrific creatures etc., but above all it gives us a terrifying picture of reality- or what we think to be our reality. it somehow evokes an existential fear when we see that reality is nothing but a painting upon the surface of nothing.the boy narrator is able to unify the reader with himself. and the fate of the girl who is 11 for a long time (she doesn't die, I promise) gives us hope in spite of a calm sadness.to the lovers of real fantasy, it is recommended to the power infinity.

Had I read this one before starting book reviews, perhaps I wouldn't have recommended it.But now that I embrace the practice of pausing, to grasp what I liked or disliked as I had to write about it, I understand better that some books need more reflection than the others.My perspective also quite changed after reading the author's epilogue interview and the various intresting interpretations of the unexplained signs and statements (and the end) in the book.It starts with the middle aged protagonist (unnamed), driving out of a funeral (probably a parent's) to the town where he grew up. What follows is literally a walk down the memory lane.He is reminiscing the spring break of his 7th birthday, when he was a shy boy with no friends and his only escape was reading ; mostly adventures. The break begins with the suiside of his tenant in their car, who is replaced by a new one and she is going to be their (the boy and his sister's) caretaker. He doesn't have a liking for her. This is when he makes a new friend who stays at the end of the lane and they have an adventurous time together.Their adventures are complete dark fantasy with creatures and people flying, dying and resurrecting!The book is a reflection of childhood memories. Of how children record events in the picture of their memory with their own parallel back stories, and how they feel being re-visited.It reminds you of all the crazy stories you wove as a child and how that shaped the world of your childhood.In the author's words:"I think that there are definitely no personal absolute truths. Because I think personal absolute truths are coloured by memory and feeling and point of view."The read in itself wasn't mouthwatering, but the aftertaste of childhood memories and the little doses of life lessons is what I would relish.

Neil Gaiman is one of the best fantasy writers alive today.He is one of the best storytellers I have read. After the frankly STELLAR American Gods introduced me to his writing properly, I couldn't wait to get this.This book is small and doesn't demand much from you. I bought it at 60% discount (thank you Amazon!) and it was a STEAL. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The story draws you in and stays with you long after you have finished reading it. It is a beautiful and haunting tale of Childhood, Innocence, and what it means to be Human.

This book was introduced to me through a book club where it was a monthly read. I don’t think I would have ever given it a read otherwise. It is a pretty small book with approx 181 pages. So I would like to start by saying it was a comfortable read and I finished it in a day with my work schedule.Honestly, the book started well and I felt it to be really promising. It is a dark fantasy genre so I was expecting a lot of things. But after 60% of the book was over, it kind of lost its charm and started falling flat. The most disappointing thing - I expected so much more from the ending but was nothing like that.I am pretty sure that I would forget about this book very soon. I have read much better ones. I so wanted to give this book a better rating but unfortunately for me, it was a very average read.Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (this is the maximum that I would be able to give this book)

I have rated this book 4 stars for the sheer skill the author has displayed in imagining how a child thinks. The author wonderfully reminds us that how as children, we would associate certain people with characters from books or mannerisms and habits with machinery and more.The author uses plants, geography and architecture to paint a very believable real and parallel world of the protagonists.His description of Ursula is similar to what I felt for my Math teacher and an uncle whom I thought cruel. I remember day dreaming my own background stories about these people I disliked and liked undeniably. I do not remember the root of these feelings and resultantly these stories about particular adults but distinctly remember the bitter aftertaste a meeting with an adult who gave me the creeps felt. Also I can still taste the sweet lingering need to prolong the time spent with adults whom I loved.The writing tugs at my "mother's heart" when the child feels neglected and grows up on his own or when the child fears his father, the very figure who should sow seeds of reaasurance, safety and trust in a child.The author weaves sibling rivalry, the ambitious mother's efforts at trying to balance her roles and the frustrated father's weaknesses remarkably through the eyes of an innocent seven year old.I would have given it another star if it would have been crisper. The magical portions could have been edited more.Nevertheless I would recommend this book.

Brilliant book. Mesmerizing storytelling. Magical.I liked the book so much, i finished it all in 1 day. The writing is flawless. Gaiman has a charming, unparalleled style of writing. The story is a fantasy and more of a children's book, this is. But this is listed under adult fiction, and I am sure people of all ages will love this book. I feel, everyone should read this book. I am going to recommend it to every friend!Fantasy was never my genre,until I read Neil Gaiman.