Coraline by Neil Gaiman, a Doorway to a Whole "Other" World...

Every child, at one point or another, has wondered what it would be like if they had different parents. For Coraline Jones, discovering that she did have “other” parents opens the doors to a strange new world.

     Coraline, a modern fairy-tale written by Neil Gaiman, tells the story of a young girl who has moved to a new house with her parents. The house she lives in is divided into different apartments that are occupied by unusual tenants. One apartment is the home to two spinster women and their Scottish terriers. Another apartment is home to a strange Eastern European man and his talented mouse circus. The last apartment is unoccupied and boarded up.

     Coraline explores her new surroundings as her parents, who are gardening writers, are consumed by their work. Coraline is a neglected child, but does not seem to mind the isolation. She in inquisitive and creative as she explores her new surroundings. One day, she discovers a small door in her living room, presumably a door connecting her apartment and the adjacent, empty one.  Her mother unlocks it and they see that it is bricked up. It is a door to nowhere....

....Until one night. Coraline finds the door opened, revealing a small dark corridor. Of course, she crawls through it, but soon finds herself in an exact copy of her apartment. However, upon finding her parents, she sees that they are in fact not her normal parents. They are her “other” parents.

     The Other Mother and Other Father look exactly like her parents, but they don’t act like them. They dote on Coraline, cook her favorite dinners and desserts, and spoil her. The Other world has a sort of magic to it, where flowers bloom at night, cats can talk, and Coraline doesn’t have to follow rules. There are even alternative versions of her neighbors. The old spinsters are young women who perform acrobatic shows. The mouse circus upstairs is in full swing with their tricks and stunts. Finally, Coraline feels appreciated and loved where she once felt ignored and alone.

     However, the Other World is not what it seems. The Other Mother has plans to keep Coraline and love her forever. And Coraline has a high price to pay as she is thrust into a dark enchanted world.

     Neil Gaiman originally began writing Coraline for his oldest daughter and finished it for his youngest. He wanted to write a fairy story in a modern setting with a touch of mystery and darkness. The language used in this novel is simple, but still paints a complete picture of both the normal world and the “other” world. There are some of the usual touches of fantasy that Gaiman is known for, but it is appealing for children and adults alike. The concept of an "Other" world existing (through the means of a supernatural being willing it to exist for her own purposes) is fascinating. The reader can't help but wonder what it would be like if they were in the same situation. Gaiman's story-telling pace is timed perfectly; nothing is rushed and conflicts are introduced gradually. The story structure flows in a manner that the book can be read through in a few sittings, but also can be re-read and still stay fresh. It's definitely one of those books that if you re-read it, you notice more of the subtle context clues that foreshadow later plot and character developments. 

     Coraline was made into a motion picture and this is how I first heard about it, even though I am a fan of Neil Gaiman. The movie was well done and true to the book, but the book offers a little something more. The book has a few more darker themes in it that that movie left out, and these added tid-bits really add to the reader's overall experience of the story. 

    Coraline is a strong girl character, and even as a child, she isn't terribly whiny or annoying. She's mature, witty, and relies on her instincts. The novel is an interesting concept in which the child is the more powerful figure, tasked with being the heroine and taking charge. Coraline isn't a prissy girl who becomes helpless in the face of dark danger. No, Coraline takes action and fights her fears, even though it would be completely understandable for a child to run away and hide. She exhibits true courage and teaches readers (regardless of age) that it is important to remember the people you love, the things that are important to you, and to never give up.  Young readers especially need more characters like Coraline.  

Coraline by Neil Gaiman, can be found at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and retail booksellers. It is also available on Nook and Kindle e-reader formats as well as also available in graphic novel form.