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Jayson's Reviews > Coraline
Coraline
by
by
Jayson's review
bookshelves: read-in-2021, audiobook-audible, author-british, genre-childrens, genre-gothic, genre-horror, genre-juvenile-fantasy, genre-supernatural
May 20, 2021
bookshelves: read-in-2021, audiobook-audible, author-british, genre-childrens, genre-gothic, genre-horror, genre-juvenile-fantasy, genre-supernatural
Read 2 times. Last read May 20, 2021 to June 3, 2021.
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Intimately eerie, Through the Looking-Glass in horror tones, a fright pastiche, but off-the-leash, ethereal and all its own.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)
Notes: Intimately eerie, Through the Looking-Glass in horror tones, a fright pastiche, but off-the-leash, ethereal and all its own.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)
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Reading Progress
October 1, 2009
–
Started Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
October 1, 2009
–
Finished Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
August 1, 2013
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
March 24, 2015
– Shelved as:
genre-juvenile-f...
(Hardcover Edition)
March 24, 2015
– Shelved as:
author-british
(Hardcover Edition)
March 24, 2015
– Shelved as:
format-illustrated
(Hardcover Edition)
March 24, 2015
– Shelved as:
100-199-pp
(Hardcover Edition)
March 26, 2015
– Shelved as:
genre-horror
(Hardcover Edition)
March 26, 2015
– Shelved as:
genre-supernatural
(Hardcover Edition)
September 15, 2016
– Shelved as:
read-in-2009
(Hardcover Edition)
January 6, 2017
– Shelved as:
genre-childrens
(Hardcover Edition)
February 28, 2017
– Shelved as:
genre-gothic
(Hardcover Edition)
May 18, 2021
– Shelved
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
read-in-2021
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
audiobook-audible
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
author-british
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-childrens
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-gothic
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-horror
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-juvenile-fantasy
May 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
genre-supernatural
May 20, 2021
–
Started Reading
May 20, 2021
–
0.0%
"
Notes:
(1) By my own GR experience, this is the most popular Gaiman novel. It's also one of his shortest. So, unfortunately, this reread will be finished quicker than usual.
(2) Remember when IMAX was a thing? You can always tell when a film was made for IMAX because the aspect ratio's perfectly sized to a computer monitor. Under conventional circumstances, it'd be thinner."
Notes:
(1) By my own GR experience, this is the most popular Gaiman novel. It's also one of his shortest. So, unfortunately, this reread will be finished quicker than usual.
(2) Remember when IMAX was a thing? You can always tell when a film was made for IMAX because the aspect ratio's perfectly sized to a computer monitor. Under conventional circumstances, it'd be thinner."
May 21, 2021
–
7.0%
"
Notes:
(1) '"It's Coraline. Not Caroline. Coraline," said Coraline.'
- Luckily for me, my slightly-off spelling of a common name doesn't require pronunciation correction.
(2) The first notable change from the book to the film is that it's set in America. Oregon's a fine enough choice since its climate is similar to rainy old England, so rain as a plot device stays the same."
Notes:
(1) '"It's Coraline. Not Caroline. Coraline," said Coraline.'
- Luckily for me, my slightly-off spelling of a common name doesn't require pronunciation correction.
(2) The first notable change from the book to the film is that it's set in America. Oregon's a fine enough choice since its climate is similar to rainy old England, so rain as a plot device stays the same."
May 22, 2021
–
12.0%
"
Notes:
(1) In the book, Coraline visits the neighbors before going through the door. In the film, it's after her first trip.
- Probably to stretch its length, as going back and forth eats up time.
(2) In the film, Mr. Bobo's name is changed to Sergei Alexsander Bobinski.
- Probably to underscore his Russian-ness... and clarify what accent exactly Ian McShane was attempting."
Notes:
(1) In the book, Coraline visits the neighbors before going through the door. In the film, it's after her first trip.
- Probably to stretch its length, as going back and forth eats up time.
(2) In the film, Mr. Bobo's name is changed to Sergei Alexsander Bobinski.
- Probably to underscore his Russian-ness... and clarify what accent exactly Ian McShane was attempting."
May 23, 2021
–
18.0%
"
Notes:
(1) "Outside, the view was the same one she saw from her own bedroom: trees, fields and, beyond them, on the horizon, distant purple hills."
- I can't be the only one who read "purple hills" and thought: Eminem.
(2) In the book, Coraline walks through a hallway to the other house. In the film, she crawls through a kind of paper lantern tunnel.
- Colors = less creepy."
Notes:
(1) "Outside, the view was the same one she saw from her own bedroom: trees, fields and, beyond them, on the horizon, distant purple hills."
- I can't be the only one who read "purple hills" and thought: Eminem.
(2) In the book, Coraline walks through a hallway to the other house. In the film, she crawls through a kind of paper lantern tunnel.
- Colors = less creepy."
May 24, 2021
–
27.0%
"
Notes:
(1) "There was something irritatingly self-centred about the cat ... As if it were, in its opinion, the only thing in any world or place that could possibly be of any importance."
- Such a thing could be said of cats generally.
(2) In the audiobook, the music is performed by indie band The Gothic Archies. In the film, it's Hungarian choir music.
- Either way strange."
Notes:
(1) "There was something irritatingly self-centred about the cat ... As if it were, in its opinion, the only thing in any world or place that could possibly be of any importance."
- Such a thing could be said of cats generally.
(2) In the audiobook, the music is performed by indie band The Gothic Archies. In the film, it's Hungarian choir music.
- Either way strange."
May 25, 2021
–
39.0%
"
Notes:
(1) '"Coraline," said Miss Spink. "What's your name?"
"Coraline," said Coraline.
"And we don't know each other, do we?"'
- The first hint the Other Mother's puppeteering.
(2) "[Coraline] bought two large bottles of limeade, a chocolate cake, and a new bag of apples, and went back home and ate them for dinner."
- What stands out to me is she ate a whole bag of apples."
Notes:
(1) '"Coraline," said Miss Spink. "What's your name?"
"Coraline," said Coraline.
"And we don't know each other, do we?"'
- The first hint the Other Mother's puppeteering.
(2) "[Coraline] bought two large bottles of limeade, a chocolate cake, and a new bag of apples, and went back home and ate them for dinner."
- What stands out to me is she ate a whole bag of apples."
May 26, 2021
–
48.0%
"
Notes:
(1) "It was a snow-globe, with two little people in it. Coraline shook it and set the snow flying, white snow that glittered as it tumbled through the water. Then she put the snow-globe back on the mantelpiece, and carried on looking for her true parents and for a way out."
- Ah, Chekhov's snow-globe... it shall come into play later.
- Oh, where must her parents be?"
Notes:
(1) "It was a snow-globe, with two little people in it. Coraline shook it and set the snow flying, white snow that glittered as it tumbled through the water. Then she put the snow-globe back on the mantelpiece, and carried on looking for her true parents and for a way out."
- Ah, Chekhov's snow-globe... it shall come into play later.
- Oh, where must her parents be?"
May 28, 2021
–
52.0%
"
Notes:
(1) I appreciate that they made Coraline's mirror-world outfit book-accurate – a grey sweater with stars. In the film, the Other Mother gifts it to her. In the book, she picks it from clothes in the other bedroom.
(2) If you're wondering why I've not mentioned Wybie yet, it's because he's not in the book, and only useful in the film as a thing to speak exposition to."
Notes:
(1) I appreciate that they made Coraline's mirror-world outfit book-accurate – a grey sweater with stars. In the film, the Other Mother gifts it to her. In the book, she picks it from clothes in the other bedroom.
(2) If you're wondering why I've not mentioned Wybie yet, it's because he's not in the book, and only useful in the film as a thing to speak exposition to."
May 29, 2021
–
62.0%
"
Notes:
(1) '"There, my sweet Coraline," said her other mother.'
- Quite obviously, a Neil Diamond reference.
(2) '"Now, I think you're being silly, dear," said the other mother. "I love you. I will always love you."'
- Possibly a Whitney Houston reference.
(3) "She ate the breakfast, trying not to wolf it down. She was hungrier than she had thought."
- Duran Duran, perhaps?"
Notes:
(1) '"There, my sweet Coraline," said her other mother.'
- Quite obviously, a Neil Diamond reference.
(2) '"Now, I think you're being silly, dear," said the other mother. "I love you. I will always love you."'
- Possibly a Whitney Houston reference.
(3) "She ate the breakfast, trying not to wolf it down. She was hungrier than she had thought."
- Duran Duran, perhaps?"
May 30, 2021
–
70.0%
"
Notes:
(1) In the book, Coraline goes down a trap door and speaks with the monstrosity that was her other father. In the film that scene is removed.
- Odd, considering how much the film stretched the story to be feature-length.
- Though, there are two scenes with real and fake Wybie that fill that narrative purpose.
(2) To quote Austin Powers: "Who throws a shoe, honestly?""
Notes:
(1) In the book, Coraline goes down a trap door and speaks with the monstrosity that was her other father. In the film that scene is removed.
- Odd, considering how much the film stretched the story to be feature-length.
- Though, there are two scenes with real and fake Wybie that fill that narrative purpose.
(2) To quote Austin Powers: "Who throws a shoe, honestly?""
May 31, 2021
–
78.0%
"
Notes:
(1) "Beside the decapitated rat, a smug expression on its face, was the black cat."
- In the film, dead rat keeps its head.
(2) "Coraline realised ... she knew exactly where her parents were. If she had stopped to think, she might have known where they were all along."
- If a rifle hangs on a wall in Act I, by Act 3 it must be fired.
- Coraline's found Chekhov's Gun!"
Notes:
(1) "Beside the decapitated rat, a smug expression on its face, was the black cat."
- In the film, dead rat keeps its head.
(2) "Coraline realised ... she knew exactly where her parents were. If she had stopped to think, she might have known where they were all along."
- If a rifle hangs on a wall in Act I, by Act 3 it must be fired.
- Coraline's found Chekhov's Gun!"
June 1, 2021
–
85.0%
"
Notes:
(1) "It was her only way home, she knew. But it all depended on the other mother needing to gloat, needing not only to win but to show that she had won."
- Ah, yes, Bond-villain logic: Tell me every detail of your fiendish plan, or else show me things I'm not meant to have. I'm dead anyway.
- Only the best villains gloat. They're the ones with things to gloat about."
Notes:
(1) "It was her only way home, she knew. But it all depended on the other mother needing to gloat, needing not only to win but to show that she had won."
- Ah, yes, Bond-villain logic: Tell me every detail of your fiendish plan, or else show me things I'm not meant to have. I'm dead anyway.
- Only the best villains gloat. They're the ones with things to gloat about."
June 2, 2021
–
91.0%
"
Notes:
(1) Coraline has a dream, where she's visited by the three souls she saved.
- The first wears a frilly shirt, which I take to mean he's Georgian or Regency era.
- The second has a brown bonnet, which I take to mean she's Victorian.
- The third has butterfly-like wings, which I take to mean she's some kind of fairy.
- Possibly more evidence implying a shared universe."
Notes:
(1) Coraline has a dream, where she's visited by the three souls she saved.
- The first wears a frilly shirt, which I take to mean he's Georgian or Regency era.
- The second has a brown bonnet, which I take to mean she's Victorian.
- The third has butterfly-like wings, which I take to mean she's some kind of fairy.
- Possibly more evidence implying a shared universe."
June 3, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)
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message 1:
by
Kevin Hartman
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Jun 11, 2021 10:20PM
Waiting the review excited 👍👍
reply
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flag
Kevin Hartman wrote: "Waiting the review excited 👍👍"Thanks! I should have it done and posted very soon 😁👍
so, do you like this or the movie better?
Patricia wrote: "so, do you like this or the movie better?"I think I like the movie slightly better. All things being equal, I'm a fan of stop-motion animation, and so that aspect alone tips the scales for me.
Good to know, I still hope you enjoy it tho🙃👍
Patricia wrote: "Good to know, I still hope you enjoy it tho🙃👍"Yeah, the book's great. Just different from the film :)
Love this review, it captures it so well!
Kerri wrote: "Love this review, it captures it so well!"Thanks, Kerri! So glad you like it :)
Okay A- is pretty darn good. I just bought this book so I’m happy. Thanks Jayson!
Debbie wrote: "Okay A- is pretty darn good. I just bought this book so I’m happy. Thanks Jayson!"Very happy to hear that, Debbie! I hope you enjoy it at least as much as I did :)
Like the review, short and sweet.
thewildreaderwithacat wrote: "Like the review, short and sweet."Thanks! Glad you like it 😁👍
it's so weird seeing this, because I've literally just been thinking about re-reading this! I remember finding it really interesting, but I sort of feel like a second read-through might be even better haha
Rachel wrote: "it's so weird seeing this, because I've literally just been thinking about re-reading this! I remember finding it really interesting, but I sort of feel like a second read-through might be even bet..."Lol. Seems like we were on the same page about rereading this! My reread was certainly more interesting for me. I listened to the audiobook and watched the film too, so there was a lot to compare and contrast :)
Loved this one. The narration is almost perfect.
Adina wrote: "Loved this one. The narration is almost perfect."I thought so too. I also enjoyed the musical interludes and singing mice and such. Happy to hear you loved it :)
Jayson wrote: "Adina wrote: "Loved this one. The narration is almost perfect."I thought so too. I also enjoyed the musical interludes and singing mice and such. Happy to hear you loved it :)" Those mice were so creepy.
Adina wrote: "Those mice were so creepy.Yes, definitely raised the creepy factor for this already very creepy book :)
The best kind of books are the Coraline/Through the Looking Glass (which is obviously far creepier than its predecessor) kind of books. Children's books that aren't explicitly scary but leave you feeling somewhat haunted.I wish there were more of those.
Lem◍nade wrote: "The best kind of books are the Coraline/Through the Looking Glass (which is obviously far creepier than its predecessor) kind of books. Children's books that aren't explicitly scary but leave you f..."It definitely does a good job of treading a fine line. Arguably, if it were more explicitly scary, then it may not suitable for children or even as middle-grade fiction.
There's something to be said about portal fantasies, like this and the works of C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Lewis Carroll, and the like, that appeal to juvenile sensibilities. Possibly because it's still anchored in a familiar world that children can still return to, and so whatever scary things that exist on the other side can be escaped from.
