Splendid and Splendider!

Since Neil Gaiman's own excellent reading of this was already in my library, I hesitated before adding the dramatized version of "The Graveyard Book." How glad I am that I went ahead and used a credit!

This man has written lots of memorable books, but "The Graveyard Book" stands out. There's a lot of love in here, and it is wonderful to hear the author explain a little about that at the end of the recording. No one will be surprised to hear that the work is quite important personally to Mr. Gaiman - it shows in every chapter.

There's a lot that is very special in this book regardless of how it's experienced - I have read the hard copy and enjoyed both audios. The characters - living, dead or somewhere in between - are absolutely real and absolutely unforgettable. The episodic nature of the narrative not only reflects its admitted source, Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," but it makes for excellent reading aloud in segments - sharing with children or adults. (I imagine even the cats and dogs listening in during an evening reading will love it.)

The fine actors involved in this production all obviously enjoyed performing this for us. If you've already read it, consider getting this edition as well. "The Graveyard Book" simply cannot read or heard too many times!

One personal note - my young grandchildren live in a house across from an historical cemetery. They play there and ride their bikes and look for angel headstones. Before very long, I hope to introduce them to the world of "The Graveyard Book." I think they will feel quite at home in its pages.

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219 people found this helpful

The best audio book performance ever

What made the experience of listening to The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production the most enjoyable?

All the cast members did excellent jobs in portraying their characters. Sir Derek Jacobi was a perfect narrator. I especially enjoyed the voice of Julian Rhind-Tutt as Silias. The ghouls were very funny without being over the top.

What other book might you compare The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production to and why?

I cannot compare The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production to any other book because it is truly in a class by itself.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed how skillfully the voice actors brought the book to life with their voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Silias tells Bod the story of his coming to the graveyard and warns him of the danger outside in the world was very well done. It really is key is showing how Bod has become a child of the village (graveyard). He is brave and wise and caring. The many ghosts who have had a hand in his upbringing did a good job.

Any additional comments?

If you can only get one audio book this year, get "The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production". It is not a children's book or a ya book or an adult book. It is a book for everyone and this production takes a great book and makes it much better.

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30 people found this helpful

A story that just wasn't for me.

The performances are perfect, and I can see a younger version of myself connecting with this story and I know that this is a well loved book. But I'm 31 years old and I'm too far away from that part of my youth to connect with bod, and too far away from parenthood to enjoy it from that angle either. But I do imagine myself reading this story to a child. So objectively I do recommend it.

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11 people found this helpful

Bittersweet adult fairytale.

Absolutely love Neil Gaiman's books, but this one left me bittersweet. It's not a typical fairytale for children or adults. It's not happily ever after, but that could be subjective. Bullies, murderers, and mean spirits beware of Nobody Bod Owens who came to live in the graveyard under horrible circumstances. For me the story did not give as much background as we typically get from Gaiman. There's evil, we committed another evil act to combat it, so there you are was the best we received for the poor orphans predicament. I did like the different narrators and even relished hearing Gaiman at the end, but this won't be one of my favorite stories from him.

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7 people found this helpful

Charming and lovely book

I will keep my review short, as I'm not particularly accustomed to writing them. This book was absolutely charming. After all the Steven King and Orwell I'd been reading, this book hit me like a breath of fresh air with all of its wholesome values and lovely characters. This should definitely be made into a Disney movie. If you're looking for something like a Disney classic, this is a good recommendation! The full cast was wonderful as well, and at times I felt almost drawn to tears with the way they can pull emotion into their voice. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and considering this is my first Neil Gaiman book, will definitely read more from this author in the near future.

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5 people found this helpful

An excellent tale, perfectly performed.

What did you love best about The Graveyard Book: Full-Cast Production?

This is an impossible question. I can't pick out a favorite facet of the story or this production. I loved everything about it and was sad to reach the end.

What did you like best about this story?

It's a gripping tale. The first chapter starts with a relentless menace, an assassin who has killed three members of a family as they slept and is now in pursuit of the sole survivor, an innocent toddler. The killer's attempt to finish his evil task is narrowly deflected by quick action on the part of good and caring spirits in the local graveyard, spirits who unite to protect and raise the child, whom they name Nobody Owens--Bod for short. The tale then relaxes, taking time to build the ghostly graveyard world that the growing young Bod, as a living child, will uniquely inhabit. The suspense present in the beginning resurfaces from time to time, a lingering dread that ebbs and flows and finally swells into a fascinating climax. The characters are believable and very appealing. The villains suit their roles to the point of giving me, as a reader, a case of the shivers. The spirits who care for Bod are interesting and in most cases, quite admirable. I can't pick a best of anything about this book. The entire experience was excellent.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

First, this story was very well acted. The voices, inflections, and pace of speech were all nicely done. I didn't feel that I was listening to a narration so much as to an old time radio show broadcast, minus the commercials. As I listened, I had no trouble visualizing each character and situation. All of the actors involved should be very proud of their efforts.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This book would be a great movie, if the studio system didn't muck it up by altering the story. My choice of tag line would be, "Spirits of Protection," or, "The Menace of the Jacks."

Any additional comments?

As I mentioned, I was sorry to reach the end of this story. I could happily have kept listening to the further adventures of Bod and those of his eerie guides and friends. At the end of the performance, the author, Neil Gaiman, describes the train of thought and turns of events that lead him to write The Graveyard Book. Mr. Gaiman mentions that he may eventually expand upon this story and follow the futher adventures of some of the main characters, Simon in particular. Nothing could make me more happy. Let's hope Mr. Gaiman receives inspiration to carry on with this work, and soon!

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3 people found this helpful

Would listen again

The book and characters were amazing. I listened to it with my 2 year old and 8 year old, we all loved it.

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2 people found this helpful

Lovely Roadtrip!

Our family had the best road trip while listening to this wonderful book. It was wonderful from end to end! I don’t think it could be improved!

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1 person found this helpful

A Favorite!

this book was absolutely enchanting. I hated to see it end. loved the characterizations. recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

I was sad when it ended....

This was such a delightful tale and the narrators were perfectly cast. I wish it would have gone on and on as I fell in love with all of the characters. The story of the love shown to Bod was heartwarming. The voice of Silas was exceptional.
I highly recommend this book!

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