This is one of those books I rank higher based on feels alone, but I can at least admit that there were some pacing issue and a bit of "because of reasons" storytelling that might get people down on it. It was very much right up my alley, however, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

While I was recently writing a post about changing my (pen) name on the Internet, I did a little "name" quote searching during a break. I came across:
"Kiss a lover
Dance a measure,
Find your name
And buried treasure...

Face your life
Its pain,
Its pleasure,
Leave no path untaken.”

Gaiman is one of those authors I've always been meaning to read more of, so I requested this book from the library and etc.

The story of Nobody Owens is quietly heart wrenching and beautiful and sad. It starts with a baby boy escaping death even as his mother, father and sister are murdered. This story is many things, what with its supernatural elements and coming of age elements and an ensemble cast and an air of a grown-up fairytale. Gaiman is a well recognized and gifted storyteller and this is pure treasure for someone like me who has a particular soft spot for fairytales.

I love that we see Bod grow up in a graveyard and it still feels so darn relateable, and not quite as morbid as you would imagine. His life is full of this cast of characters trying to teach him valuable lessons. Often they ask him if he understands and mostly he offers an, "a little." Because what can we really understand as children, when we haven't lived through many experiences?

And like that, we watch Bod gather experiences that are later very important to the climax of the novel. Bad things that have happened come together, mistakes he's made come together and equip him to take on the bad guy and protect his home. Live and learn.

The last chapter was heart breaking for me as the graveyard ultimately provides the perfect backdrop for the idea of crossing into adulthood. It's left off on a rather positive note, but it doesn't hurt any less.

I suppose this is a children's book, but it never felt dumbed down to me at all. In fact, there were so many things I appreciated about it because I'm someone who has already crossed that threshold from child to adult.

This is a story I'm confident I will revisit and one of my favorite reads this year.