For nearly two decades, has delighted and terrified fans, inspiring both a film and graphic novel adaptation. It is the story of Coraline, a young girl who moves to an old house that has been divided up strangely into four flats. The only child of workaholic parents, who always seem to be brushing her off in favor of more important business, Coraline is lonely. When she discovers a portal that takes her to another flat where an Other Mother has all the time in the world for her, Coraline is happy—until things take a dark turn.
From the brilliant mind of prolific, best-selling author , Coraline is considered a modern dark fantasy classic for younger listeners. Published in 2002, it received critical acclaim, winning both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for Best Novella as well as the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel for Young Readers. With its grounded premise and clever use of the uncanny, Coraline continues to haunt listeners of all ages. When Gaiman began writing the story in 1990, Coraline was initially a typo of the name he had intended to call his curious young heroine: Caroline. But Gaiman liked the looks of it and felt the character take shape, so he kept Coraline.
What is Coraline about?
The story begins with Coraline and her family moving into the old house. While exploring her new flat, she discovers a small door that, when opened, is bricked up. Coraline is bored and, when she's ignored by her parents, she decides to get to know her new neighbors. She first visits Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, elderly ladies who retired from the stage. They welcome Coraline in and serve her tea—but when they read her tea leaves, they warn her of danger. Then, Coraline visits Mr. Bobo, referred to as "the crazy old man upstairs." He's attempting to train mice for a circus, and he tells Coraline that his mice warn her to not go through the door. But she doesn't listen.
Back in her flat, Coraline opens the mysterious door again. This time, it leads to a flat that's identical to her own. So, she steps inside. There, she finds an Other Mother and Other Father, who look like her own parents—except taller and thinner, with buttons for eyes. They welcome Coraline, make food she likes, and pay attention to her. Coraline also finds that her toys are more interesting and the neighbors are more entertaining here. Everything seems perfect, until she comes across a black cat, a stray in her own world, who warns her of the danger in this other world.
Soon, the Other Mother offers Coraline the chance to stay with her forever, on one condition: Coraline must have buttons sewn over her own eyes. Horrified, Coraline flees through the door back to her own flat—only to find her parents missing. Frantically searching, she can't find them anywhere. Suddenly, she discovers them—trapped in a mirror. Coraline can only assume that the Other Mother has kidnapped them. So, she bravely heads back to the other world to confront the Other Mother.
