Book Review: Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Dave McKean - Page 4

The prose of Mr. Gaiman brings the illustrations of Mr. McKean to life, while Mr. McKean brings the people of Mr. Gaiman's imagination to visual reality in such a convincing fashion that it is impossible to imagine any other faces or figures gracing the pages of their work.

In a fit of hyperbole the New York Times called Coraline "One of the most frightening books ever written," which is highly unfair flattery, as that sort of thing will only disappoint people and give them the wrong impression of what the book is truly like. This is a beautiful book with all the grace and style of a well executed drawing or choreographed dance. To simply call it a scary book diminishes the efforts of the writer and the illustrator.

Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean have created a new classic children's book along the lines of the books I remember with fondness from my own childhood. Even though there are moments that are frightening in this story, the main feeling that a child or adult reader will be left with is wonder. Which is how it should be whenever we finish a story.

Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and The Unofficial Heroes Of Olympus Companion, both published and commissioned by Ulysses Press. He has had his work published in print and online all over the world including the …

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