By Neil Gaiman
Stepping through, she never imagined what might follow.
On a rain swept day, a bored young girl named Coraline convinces her mother to unlock the strange door in the drawing room, only to find it bricked up. Soon Coraline’s search will uncover a secret world, full of wonder and mystery. But all is not as it seems, and before long Coraline will have to fight to reclaim the ordinary life she once longed to escape.
What follows is a delightful story that touches upon many classic horror tropes, cleverly couched in the tone and style of a young fairy tale. Fans of either genre may feel a certain familiarity with the plot, but find themselves too engaged by the narrative to bother looking ahead. Details are few but well-chosen, cultivating a strong air of vague foreboding while keeping the overall tone of the story very mellow. If one can fault this story for anything, it would be its brevity.
The careful management of information keeps audiences focused, but leaves little room for background information. The story can only hint at the true depth of its characters and ideas, leaving audiences to read between the lines.
Of course for some this is not a flaw at all. Many will enjoy the ease with which they fly through this story, while others may dig deeper, building upon what the author has provided.
+Strong, brief scenes
+Strong narrative flow (pacing & foreshadowing)
*Strong but familiar plot
*Mellow, young, easy read
*Brief (can feel rushed)
Next Time…
Synners