The Graveyard Book

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Neil Gaiman

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Here's a fantastic ghost adventure story, laced with menace and humour.

When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard?

Brought up by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has an eccentric childhood learning about life from the dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last remaining member of the family.

A stunningly original novel deftly constructed over eight chapters, featuring every second year of Bod's life, from babyhood to adolescence. Will Bod survive to be a man?

©2008 Neil Gaiman (P)2008 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"Thrilling, elegant and joyously macabre. You will love it to death." (Holly Black, author of The Spiderwick Chronicles)

Loved every minute, every word.

Superb storytelling! One of his best, in my opinion. You don't have to be a young adult to appreciate this. It's for every Neil Gaiman fan and anyone who loves a bit of mystery and magic, and stories about family and friendship.

Classic!

If I am to pick my favorite of all Gaiman's works, The Graveyard Book would be it. This one might be catered to the kids, but adults can appreciate this too.

And with Gaiman doing the narration, it's just perfect!

Incredible

"Wow" is all I can say about this book. The book kept me on my feet and the narrator was exhilarating! At the end I was shocked to find out that the author himself narrated it! As far as the content of the book I would say 4/5, but how it is narrated is by far the best I have previously heard, receiving a 6/5 in my books. Great Job Neil Gaiman!

Hearing a story as it was meant to be heard.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Graveyard Book to be better than the print version?

I've not read the print version, but now I wish I had the capacity to hear more of Gaiman's books read by him. There was so much to this that was just.. brilliant.

What other book might you compare The Graveyard Book to and why?

What book of Gaiman's is like anything else?

Which character – as performed by Neil Gaiman – was your favorite?

All of them? Is that an answer?
I mean that seriously, because he brought all of them to life. Even to one of their voices changing accent slightly when the story called for it. But slightly, easy to miss, and yet it was countless little touches like this that made it so bloody brilliant. Every voice just /was/ that character. Beyond simply being associated, the tone, the pacing, the essence of it matched the essence of the character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, yes there was. Several in fact through it. I had goosebumps in parts, and wet eyes in others.

Any additional comments?

Please listen to this book. It is masterfully written, and told even better. It got me into audiobooks in a big way because I knew what was possible in the form.

Really great

It is a really great book and it's a thrill to listen to Neil Gaiman reading it. Loved it all the way

Fantastic!

Where does The Graveyard Book rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This must be my favorite audio book to date. This story would have been good read by any one, but Neil Gaiman added to it even more

What other book might you compare The Graveyard Book to and why?

I tell every one who doesn’t know Coraline, that it is very ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ / ‘Corpses bride’

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the magic of the grave yard –Bod’s adventures with all the dead and their stories and the secrets of the grave yard he explored.

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

Yes, definitely

Any additional comments?

This is really a good book, definitely worth a credit. The author reading it made the audio book even better, because who could better understand precisely the mood of each scene and the personalities of the characters. Different people like different kinds of books, but I can’t imagine that any one would listen to this and regret it.

The book was pretty good

However, I could have done without the silly irritating music. If the music had not been louder than the reading, it would not have been so bad.

Wonderful story

Where does The Graveyard Book rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to this audiobook several times. I love the layers of complexity that are revealed through repeated listens. Definitely one of my favourites.

Any additional comments?

I found the plays on words amusing.

Different.

A very different story but was pleasing to listen to Made a different bed time story. Not sure children would understand it though.

Odd premise but good

This was my first adult audio book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also really liked the narrator, what a surprise that it was the author himself. There are few authors that could pull that off. I hope he narrates other author's books and more of his own. The story was interesting, flowed well and kept me listening.