The Graveyard Book

Full Cast Production

De: Neil Gaiman

Narrado por: Neil Gaiman

A full-cast audio edition of a perennial favorite—The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which has sold over one million copies. Special content in this edition includes the story behind The Graveyard Book, written and performed by Neil Gaiman.

The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal (the only novel to ever win both awards), the Hugo Award for Best Novel, the Locus Award for Young Adult Book, and Audiobook of the Year. This full-cast audio edition is performed by Neil Gaiman, Derek Jacobi, Robert Madge, Clare Corbett, Miriam Margolyes, Andrew Scott, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Emilia Fox, Reece Shearsmith, Lenny Henry, Elizabeth Bennett, Allan Corduner, Sean Baker, Tim Dann, Adjoa Andoh, Jenny Gannon, Dan Weyman, and Daniel Brocklebank.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack - who has already killed Bod's family…

Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book by beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman is sure to enthrall listeners of all ages.

Audie Award, Distinguished Achievement in Production, 2015

Splendid and Splendider!

Since Neil Gaiman's own excellent reading of this was already in my library, I hesitated before adding the dramatized version of "The Graveyard Book." How glad I am that I went ahead and used a credit!

This man has written lots of memorable books, but "The Graveyard Book" stands out. There's a lot of love in here, and it is wonderful to hear the author explain a little about that at the end of the recording. No one will be surprised to hear that the work is quite important personally to Mr. Gaiman - it shows in every chapter.

There's a lot that is very special in this book regardless of how it's experienced - I have read the hard copy and enjoyed both audios. The characters - living, dead or somewhere in between - are absolutely real and absolutely unforgettable. The episodic nature of the narrative not only reflects its admitted source, Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," but it makes for excellent reading aloud in segments - sharing with children or adults. (I imagine even the cats and dogs listening in during an evening reading will love it.)

The fine actors involved in this production all obviously enjoyed performing this for us. If you've already read it, consider getting this edition as well. "The Graveyard Book" simply cannot read or heard too many times!

One personal note - my young grandchildren live in a house across from an historical cemetery. They play there and ride their bikes and look for angel headstones. Before very long, I hope to introduce them to the world of "The Graveyard Book." I think they will feel quite at home in its pages.

The best audio book performance ever

What made the experience of listening to The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production the most enjoyable?

All the cast members did excellent jobs in portraying their characters. Sir Derek Jacobi was a perfect narrator. I especially enjoyed the voice of Julian Rhind-Tutt as Silias. The ghouls were very funny without being over the top.

What other book might you compare The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production to and why?

I cannot compare The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production to any other book because it is truly in a class by itself.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed how skillfully the voice actors brought the book to life with their voices.

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

The moment when Silias tells Bod the story of his coming to the graveyard and warns him of the danger outside in the world was very well done. It really is key is showing how Bod has become a child of the village (graveyard). He is brave and wise and caring. The many ghosts who have had a hand in his upbringing did a good job.

Any additional comments?

If you can only get one audio book this year, get "The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production". It is not a children's book or a ya book or an adult book. It is a book for everyone and this production takes a great book and makes it much better.

A story that just wasn't for me.

The performances are perfect, and I can see a younger version of myself connecting with this story and I know that this is a well loved book. But I'm 31 years old and I'm too far away from that part of my youth to connect with bod, and too far away from parenthood to enjoy it from that angle either. But I do imagine myself reading this story to a child. So objectively I do recommend it.

Bittersweet adult fairytale.

Absolutely love Neil Gaiman's books, but this one left me bittersweet. It's not a typical fairytale for children or adults. It's not happily ever after, but that could be subjective. Bullies, murderers, and mean spirits beware of Nobody Bod Owens who came to live in the graveyard under horrible circumstances. For me the story did not give as much background as we typically get from Gaiman. There's evil, we committed another evil act to combat it, so there you are was the best we received for the poor orphans predicament. I did like the different narrators and even relished hearing Gaiman at the end, but this won't be one of my favorite stories from him.

Charming and lovely book

I will keep my review short, as I'm not particularly accustomed to writing them. This book was absolutely charming. After all the Steven King and Orwell I'd been reading, this book hit me like a breath of fresh air with all of its wholesome values and lovely characters. This should definitely be made into a Disney movie. If you're looking for something like a Disney classic, this is a good recommendation! The full cast was wonderful as well, and at times I felt almost drawn to tears with the way they can pull emotion into their voice. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and considering this is my first Neil Gaiman book, will definitely read more from this author in the near future.