Coraline

by Neil Gaiman

[leahrosereads]

This was a re-read, but since I don't remember when I first read it, and I didn't write a review the first time around, I guess I'm starting from scratch.

And that's OK, because this edition with illustrations by Chris Riddell added so much to the story. I honestly wish I had read this, listened to the audiobook, and had these illustrations all at the same time. It would have been fantastic. 2/3 of those ain't bad though.

As someone who watched the movie before ever reading the book, I have to say, I still prefer this. There are elements of the movie that I absolutely love, but Neil's words just add something special that visuals can't compete with. Makes sense since this is his story.

Coraline is a character that I genuinely aspire to be like. She's brave and curious and inventive and just such a wonderful role model for youngins' and old'ns alike.

And of course, my other favorite character is the showstealer - the cat. It's such a marvelous cat character. It oozes cat every time it's on the pages. I love it.

What makes this story work so well, in my mind, are not only the well written protagonists, but the true evilness of the villain, Other Mother. She's creepy and crawly and she gets under my skin. She's horror and nightmares and the illustrations of her in this makes me want to re-watch the movie and soon!

Still very much in love with this story, and I cannot wait to share Coraline with my nieces and nephews so that they know what it means to be brave.