Exceptional Books discussion

Hi Everyone,

The graveyard book by Neil Gaiman has been disputed as not being an exceptional book. If anyone has any thoughts on weather this book is exceptional or not, please leave your thoughts here.

Fiona wrote: "I didn't dispute this... nor would I even though I've come to the conclusion that me and Neil just aren't going to work out.

Neil Gaiman is such a highly loved author. But to me he's like reading ..."

For me, I really like alot of his work but then other books I don't like at all. For example, I loved The Graveyard book, Anansi boys and American Gods. But I could never get into Neverwhere or Stardust and I definitely didn't like Good Omens. Weird huh?!

I can't say yay or nay, I've never read anything of his, so I'm keeping an open mind :)

Personally, I think Neil Gaiman is great. I've read like 4 of his books and I think he's got a great voice and imaginative mind. I can see why he may not be everyone's cup of tea, but "The Graveyard Book" is such a fun read!
You can't go into it expecting something dense like "Ulysses", especially since this was a children's book of sorts. Keeping that in mind though, it's a really nice spin on the "Jungle Book" and I am glad a feature-film adaptation is being made. Also, I emailed him a while back and he responded (awesome, right?) that he's considered possibly continuing the story of Nobody, so there's that. Cheers!

I like Neil Gaiman, in fact, he's one of my favorite authors, although not my very favorite. However, I would not define this book as exceptional, although I read it and enjoyed it. To me, it didnt have the depth or scope to be considered exceptional. It was fun. It was good. I had a giggle, I was entertained. But as far as a memorable reading experience...not exceptional. Again, it's hard to define what makes a book exceptional, but whatever that extra something is...this book didn't have that (For me).

It was okay, but compared to other books it wasn't really exceptional. He could have made it alot better. Kind of depressing, to be told the truth.

Daniel wrote: "Personally, I think Neil Gaiman is great. I've read like 4 of his books and I think he's got a great voice and imaginative mind. I can see why he may not be everyone's cup of tea, but "The Graveyar..."

I'm so excited that there's going to be a movie! I just hope they don't mess it up as badly as they usually mess up Stephen King's films. I hope he does continue the story of Nobody, I for one, would read it.

I'd definitely watch the movie, although I really thought Coraline (the movie) was awful compared to the book.

Lena wrote: "I'd definitely watch the movie, although I really thought Coraline (the movie) was awful compared to the book."

I didn't read Coraline, I only watched the movie, but I was disturbed by the movie and couldn't believe that it was a movie for children. I thought it was too scary for a child. I wouldn't let my daughter watch it. I hope they do a better job on the graveyard movie as well.

BlackroseBlackheart wrote: "It was okay, but compared to other books it wasn't really exceptional. He could have made it alot better. Kind of depressing, to be told the truth."

Welcome to our group Blackroseblackheart! We're happy to have you here!

I'm currently reading this for a Young Adult Literature class. I agree with other comments, it also doesn't grab me. This is the first novel by Gaiman I have read, but I will try him again. If it wasn't for the class requirement, this book would have been placed back on the shelf.

Ruth wrote: "I'm currently reading this for a Young Adult Literature class. I agree with other comments, it also doesn't grab me. This is the first novel by Gaiman I have read, but I will try him again. If it w..."

I don't know if it would make a difference but I listened to the book on CD which was read by Neil Gaiman himself. Do you ever listen to your books on tape/cd?

Colleen wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I'm currently reading this for a Young Adult Literature class. I agree with other comments, it also doesn't grab me. This is the first novel by Gaiman I have read, but I will try him a..."

I do. I have a very long commute to school (1-1/2 hrs each way, two days a week) so I am able to "read" books that I would otherwise not have the time. Usually I pick ones that are not on my required list so I can take notes and make comments for class discussion. This one may have to be an exception.

I also listened to this. I probably wouldn't have liked it as much if I'd read it myself.

Colleen--don't judge Gaiman based on this alone--his other stuff is better IMO.

Like I said, I really enjoyed this book (I think 4stars?) but it just wasn't good enough for me to say it's exceptional.

Ruth wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I'm currently reading this for a Young Adult Literature class. I agree with other comments, it also doesn't grab me. This is the first novel by Gaiman I have read, but ..."

Ruth, if you do listening to The Graveyard book during your commute, please let us know if you think there is a difference or not, I'm curious to know.

Lena wrote: "I also listened to this. I probably wouldn't have liked it as much if I'd read it myself.

Colleen--don't judge Gaiman based on this alone--his other stuff is better IMO.

Like I said, I reall..."

Lena, I don't judge the book on that alone but I do think that sometimes when an author reads his or her own work, you hear the characters as they were meant to be portrayed. I have, however, listened to books where authors read their own material and had "no right" to read it because they were terrible readers..LOL.

I have read a few Neil Gaiman books but I really don't see the great writing. The imagination at times is good but not exceptional to me. I have read much more creative writers I think.

KrisT wrote: "I have read a few Neil Gaiman books but I really don't see the great writing. The imagination at times is good but not exceptional to me. I have read much more creative writers I think."

Have you read Coraline? I thought it was brilliantly creative.

As far as readers...I've never listened to a book read by the author where I didnt feel like it enhanced the book in a MAJOR way. Do you have examples of any that shouldn't have been read by the author?

Lena wrote: "KrisT wrote: "I have read a few Neil Gaiman books but I really don't see the great writing. The imagination at times is good but not exceptional to me. I have read much more creative writers I thin..."

I have listened to some that were not good, I am presently searching for one in particular to tell you about...but in my search I came across a surprising book, read by the author that was very good. With his reputation for destroying the language...it surprised me. pleasantly.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks for the suggestion, but...political memoirs are not really my cup of tea! Thanks though! :)

Lena wrote: "KrisT wrote: "I have read a few Neil Gaiman books but I really don't see the great writing. The imagination at times is good but not exceptional to me. I have read much more creative writers I thin..."

Lena, yes I have read Coraline and I agree he is a creative writer just not well written to me. I just think there is a difference in being creative and conveying that creativeness on paper.

I enjoyed this but wouldn't say it's the best he's ever written. I read Stardust and enjoyed it much more. But tis was definitely a different concept in a book than I had read before.

I liked The Graveyard Book a lot, but I wouldn't call it exceptional. By that, I think I mean I haven't felt compelled to read it again. It's on my shelf with the rest of his books, but it just kind of sits there. My vote would be "no".

Emily wrote: "I liked The Graveyard Book a lot, but I wouldn't call it exceptional. By that, I think I mean I haven't felt compelled to read it again. It's on my shelf with the rest of his books, but it just kin..."

I felt exactly the same.

Good but not exceptional.

Have you tried Stardust Kate? That was one of his better ones I think.

Sure thing. I loved the book and liked the movie version too.

I think that The Graveyard Book is exceptional for a children's book. Stardust is a good book also. Neverwhere made me sad and sometimes confused in many parts of the story. I haven't been able to get into American Gods. I read a few pages and put it down.

This is fascinating for me, to read other peoples' view of this book. I thought it was amazing, and I recommend to everyone I meet looking for a good audio book. No one mentioned the Dance Macabre Gaiman uses in the story and how the music from the Saint-Saens classic piece was incorporated into the audiobook. Just curious if anyone else picked up on that theme and how it was incorporated into the theme of the story, i.e. the dance of death. Sorry, I'm a big theme/plot person when reading any book.

I love The Graveyard Book. I love the way it was written. I love the moral of the story. I don't love most of Neil Gaiman's work; but The Graveyard Book is definitely an Exceptional Book.

In defense of my suggestion to add this book to the exceptional book list (lol):

Hugo Award for Best Novel (2009), Newbery Medal (2009), Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2009), World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel (2009), Cybils Award for Middle Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction (2008)
Cybils Award for Middle Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction (2008), Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year (2009), An ALA Notable Children's Book for Middle Readers (2009), ALA Teens' Top Ten (2009), Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award Nominee (2009), Indies Choice Book Award for Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book (Fiction): (2009), Carnegie Medal in Literature (2010), British Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel (2009)

I've enjoyed Neil Gaiman's adult books, also. And Coraline was very good, also.

I have a fondness for The Graveyard Book, in particular, because my hubby and I read it out loud and we BOTH cried! My hubby is a pretty manly man, but he was so choked up he couldn't continue reading, at one point. I could barely carry on myself! Maybe the act of reading out loud made everything more emotional, I don't know. But we both remember the time very fondly.

Wendall Paul wrote: "This is fascinating for me, to read other peoples' view of this book. I thought it was amazing, and I recommend to everyone I meet looking for a good audio book. No one mentioned the Dance Macabr..."

That makes me want to listen to the audio version. Think I will!

Debra wrote: "In defense of my suggestion to add this book to the exceptional book list (lol):

Hugo Award for Best Novel (2009), Newbery Medal (2009), Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2009), World Fantas..."

Oh yes. I heard it's the only book in history to win both the Carnegie Medal and the Newbery Medal, though many Newbery runners-up had been shortlisted for the Carnegie too.

The Graveyard book was a fun, imaginative and interesting story that I thoroughly enjoyed, but not IMHO amazing nor exceptional. But perhaps that is what exceptional books do, divide readers into the love-it, hate-it camps.

True. Exceptional is a very personal thing. What one person loves, the next person won't. I think it might even make sense if we each had our own thread on what we think is exceptional.

I don't think many people hated this book. A lot of people seemed to like it a lot, but not find it exceptional.

My three sons have loved Neil Gaiman, since their early teens. We went to Chicago to a comic book convention. Mike had been communicating with Neil for sometime, and got to meet with him that day. I have read his books because of my sons interests. I thought the book was strange, but I like it.