The Graveyard Book

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Neil Gaiman

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The original audiobook edition of the acclaimed novel, read by the author!

The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman, has sold more than one million copies and is the only novel ever to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal.

Nobody Owens is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place - he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their ghostly teachings - such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him.

Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead?

Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Medal, the Carnegie Medal, the Hugo Award for best novel, the Locus Award for Young Adult novel, the American Bookseller Association's "Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book", a Horn Book Honor, and Audio Book of the Year.

©2008 Neil Gaiman (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 2009
• Newbery Medal winner, 2009

Sad when it was over...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The story/concept is unique and interesting. I was sad when it was over. I fell in love with the characters and wanted to hear more of their stories!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Graveyard Book?

We go through so many adventures with Bod, but my favorite moments came from his time at school.

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love how he portrayed Bod. His personality seemed on point when you consider this is a child who was raised in such a dark place to begin with. The calm in his voice when speaking for Bod added another layer to the story for me. Pushed further into my imagination.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could not stop listening to this book. I finished it in 2 days.

Any additional comments?

Although I found a few things a bit predictable, the story is fresh and new and I can just imagine how it would look on the big screen!!!!

I'm Hooked!

If you could sum up The Graveyard Book in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't stop listening.

What did you like best about this story?

I found the story to be so imaginative and unique and the characters compelling.

What does Neil Gaiman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Neil Gaiman is a masterful storyteller, listening to him tell his tale made it come to life for me.

Any additional comments?

I will now have to listen to all of Neil Gaiman's books. I recommend this book to adults of all ages and older children.

Great--engaging story and excellent narration

Fantastic storytelling. Absolutely worth the time and money.

Gaiman is always a pleasure.

The story was original and kept me guessing. Mr. Gaiman's narration is, as always, dynamic and entertaining. Wonderful listen.

Simply phenomenal.

Neil Gaiman's ability to wrap a story for kids with elements of darkness is amazing!

This book is my favorite

I listen to this book at least twice a year. love hearing the story through the voice of the author, Neil Gaiman has a special way of delivering the characters narrative that's a real treat.

I Love the Audio Version

Neil Gaiman should read every book ever written. I’d read this book before in graphic novel format and liked it well enough. I had issues with the story, though, and decided to try reading the actual novel. I’m so glad I did. I think that Neil Gaiman reading it gave so much more to the experience and emotion of the story than just reading it would have. Somehow I understood it better, and the ending broke my heart while, at the same time, giving me a hopeful feeling. I’d recommend listening to it. I will definitely be checking out other books narrated by him!

Great Performance

I always love listening to Neil Gaiman's performance. There is something different about listening to an author read their own book. You know that you're getting the best of what they want you to experience, and what to take with you from their work.

Perfect and charming!

The story of Bod (short for Nobody) is wisely and wonderfully written and narrated by Neil Gaiman. We began listening to this on a car trip and everyone was so engrossed that the drive flew by and my son and husband couldn't wait to get back into the car to continue the story. We weren't able to finish the book on the trip and so the following night, the three of us sat in a dark room for another two hours to finish! This book has some dark moments which might not be suitable for children under 12, but other than that there is wisdom, laughter, and wonder for readers of any age. As we listened to Bod grow up, we grew up too. After hearing the narration of Neil Gaiman, I am inclined to listen to his other books, even when the story description is not that interesting, for the sheer pleasure of his skill as a reader.

I loved absolutely everything about this book!!!

Couldn't put it down! Both the writing and reading were way beyond expectations! I was excited to read a book by Neil Gaiman after watching American Gods, this is the first book of his I've read, will definately be reading all the rest I can get my hands on. I absolutely love his style of writing, I felt completely immersed in Bod's world. This is fairy tale like, with fantasy and magic, a little dark, not too dark for my 12 year old though. I really hope there is a movie version of this someday!!