I've not been disappointed by any book I've read by Neil Gaiman and this one is no exception. The full-cast production I bought from Audible made it even better. I've decided that all Gaiman books should be read with the ears.

The Graveyard book has several stories covering Nobody Owens as he grows from a toddler into a capable young man. Each episode covered is entertaining and kept me completely engrossed. The actors made Gaiman's fantastic descriptions and dialogue really come to life. I couldn't help but feel like I was right there with them.

The individual stories were interesting but they all brought us closer to the over-arching story line - finding out who killed Bod's family and why. Along the way, we got to meet so many wonderful residents of the graveyard, as well as some very interesting visitors.

I obviously recommend reading this one. And if you've got a young person in your life, it's safe to read it together. No sex or gory bits at all.
( )

This audiobook was a pure joy! I'm still relatively new to audiobooks, having only 15 or so to my credit, but I think even an audiobook pro would love this recording.

The story itself is fanciful, poignant, fantastic and even scary at times. A very young boy's entire family is slaughtered and somehow he ends up at the graveyard where the ghosts of those long dead decide to keep and care for him. Since his name is unknown, they named the boy Nobody. And since the ghosts taking care of him had the surname of Owens, he became Nobody Owens or Bod for short.

I loved Bod. I loved the characters in the graveyard. I loved how they all pitched in to teach Bod, to care for him and to keep him safe. The narrators, (performers, really), of this production were incredibly good. I immediately began to imagine faces for all of these characters. They became real to me and I cared for them all-both the living and the dead ones.

I recommend this audiobook to anyone and everyone. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this tale of Nobody Owens and his life at the graveyard. I even shed a few tears at the end. I love horror, but it hasn't hardened my heart to incredible fantastic stories such as this. An absolutely, positively, wonderful tale. Read it!


( )

This is a story about a toddler who escapes his death at the hands of a murderer, and ends up in a local graveyard where he is raised by its inhabitants. All the elements were there: A star-studded cast (including Derek Jacobi and Neil Gaiman himself,) original music and, an interesting story; but it fell short of being a great listen. The pacing is very deliberate and even, lacking a liveliness that expected from a British production. Some of the lines are difficult to discern because of special effects; and the music, composed by Tori Amos is performed on a banjo (a uniquely American instrument.) It was okay; but in this case, the print edition - and the ability to imagine everything instead would have been preferable. ( )

Neil Gaiman can write no wrongs. Accessible for tweens, enjoyable for kids. Nuanced with both depth and effervescence, it combines elements of suspense, longing and bittersweetness. Chewy, loads of characters and a satisfying ending.

This full cast audiobook version is nothing but delightful! ( )