frootjoos's reviews
1040 reviews

So, I was really looking forward to this book, and it was good but now I'm really looking forward just to seeing the movie. The book was sort of, well, short? I was really expecting something a little more complex. More like [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519JIJ-RxOL._SL75_.jpg|3166179].

(below added after watching movie:)

However, it is geared towards a younger set of readers, was satisfyingly creepy, and made me think twice about opening any locked cupboards I might find in any home in my future (I have already opened all the ones worth opening in my current flat).

The movie made me want to change the rating up, way up, so this now has 5 stars--I think the book is an absolute must-read, to be followed by a viewing of the movie, and then a discussion comparing book to movie, what is better (because pretty much everything that was already good about the book, which is a lot, is enhanced evermore by the animated film version), and the ways any problems readers may have experienced with the book were solved in the film. Of course Tom disagrees with me on many points and prefers the book over the movie--but I think we pretty much agree the movie is still fun to watch, especially in 3D.

Also, because I am a sucker for merchandising, I will spend the next few weeks googling for Coraline merchandise. Neil Gaiman, if you're reading this, I will probably spend most of this year's disposable income on high-quality Coraline dolls, toys, posters, lunchboxes, thermoses, pajamas, wooly mittens (well, to buy the yarn, then knit them myself) and pretty much anything you can think of to tie in to this character, so if you're in need of any kind of economic stimulus, look no further. You already own the rights to this goldmine (I hope).

To do list:

Buy all of Gaiman's other books (particularly if there is a P.S. version)

Go back and read [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519JIJ-RxOL._SL75_.jpg|3166179] through to the end, get graphic novel and movie

Find Coraline soundtrack, merchandise etc.

If not available anywhere start making patterns for my own Coraline doll and mittens (doll- and life-size: see http://www.bugknits.com for a famous Althea, the miniature knitter)

Friend Neil Gaiman on GR, if he'll have me (gulp!)

Go see movie again with Jason when he's feeling better (check. fun time. And surprisingly quiet children!)

Nice twist, super-cheesy, but luckily for Claudia Gray, I *heart* cheese.

Much more tolerable than [b:Blue Bloods|872333|Blue Bloods|Melissa de la Cruz|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179084555s/872333.jpg|857698], much less pretentious than [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)|Stephenie Meyer|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DcKN0STkL._SL75_.jpg|3212258]. Let's call it vampire-lite. Great taste, less filling.

I'm game for the sequel! It's going to throw me off, though, that they changed the main guy's name from Jared to Lucas.

Ok, to be fair, I haven't read it yet. But I'm sure, like everything Oliver Jeffers, that it will be bloody brilliant.

- - - added 3/1/09 - - -

Well, it won't dislodge [bc:Lost and Found|301141|Lost and Found|Oliver Jeffers|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173536266s/301141.jpg|1410555] from my #1 top favorite spot. But it's a great little mystery with a ecological, legal, and "paper planery" twists.

I wanted to like it more, and I did get quite addicted for about 48 hours. Another book that kept me awake for 2 days. Ultimately, it is not a conventional mystery thriller like a Patterson or Grafton or Brown or anything of the sort, which gives it + points. However, I can't quite make out if the author is moralizing or just spinning a tale for intrigue's sake. I did like it enough to want to read the rest of Larsson's novels (the next installment is due out this year), and to feel extra-disappointed at his passing.