While attending BEA (Book Expo America) in L.A. earlier this month, I picked up an ‘advance reader’s edition’ in the HarperCollins booth of Neil Gaiman's newest novel, The Graveyard Book, and I really enjoyed it. It was impossible not to care about the plight of little Nobody ‘Bod’ Owens. His story is filled with sadness, adventure, and a host of the most interesting ghostly caretakers - the inhabitants of the Graveyard who raise him. Learning the tricks of the Graveyard, Bod must survive caught between the worlds of the living and the dead.Reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas in its ghoulish charm, I think The Graveyard Book will delight readers of any age (and most-certainly fans of Coraline). The September release date makes this a perfect pre-Halloween reading gift for the Gaiman fan in your life. Or, consider it a wonderful little book as a gift to turn someone onto Gaiman.
The only thing missing from the advance reader’s edition were the planned illustrations done by long time Gaiman collaborator, Dave McKean – which I know will be terrific – and which gives me a reason to go buy a finished copy this Fall.
