Book: The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman
Publication date: 2013
WCRG meeting: 26 April 2016
Rating: 5.3
Rating: 5.3
Neil Gaiman’s latest work failed to excite the members of the Reading Group this month. Only two members were warm in their praise, with the majority feeling rather apathetic about The Ocean at the End of the World. One reader, who has read some of Gaiman’s earlier novels, commented that his latest offering was not as deep or satisfying. Another member first came across the book as the BBC ‘book at bedtime’ and enjoyed it far more when he was listening to it while tucked up in bed.
The first matter discussed by the group was whether Ocean is a children’s or adult book. Most of those present felt that it lacked the necessary depth and plot to make it a good adult novel, but that it would be an engaging read for children at bedtime. However, it was pointed out by a few readers that the novel may be too dark and philosophical for younger readers. Some of the readers admitted to not being avid fans of the fantasy genre, but did not dismiss the book on the grounds that it was more geared towards the children’s book market. However, one reader noted that, while the novel might aspire to join the ranks of JK Rowling and Philip Pullman, it fell far short of these heavyweights and was nothing more than a bland children’s book.
Gaiman’s writing was praised at the meeting – all agreed that he effectively evoked the world of the child and that the writing was very engaging and attractive. Gaiman’s use of imagery and his depiction of the power of fear was felt to be particularly strong. One member commented on how much she had enjoyed the descriptions of food in the book. Descriptions of food were lush and often central to the action – the protagonist associated the kind of food he was eating with his level of safety and revelled in the wholesome fare at the Hempstock’s farm.
All felt that something intrinsic was missing from the novel – it needed to delve deeper, to interrogate the lives of the characters further, and not simply skim over the issues. Threads were introduced only to be abandoned: such as the plot device of the opal hunter who commits suicide, which opens the novel, but is never explored further. Similarly, the protagonist returns as an adult for a funeral, but his life between childhood and adulthood is never covered, nor is the detail behind his return. One member remarked that the novel felt like ‘a fragment of a bigger story’. It was thought that a lot of background detail and explanation was lacking, which frustrated rather than intrigued readers. There is a fine line between keeping one’s readers in suspense and causing them to lose interest, and many of the Reading Group members fell into the latter category.
The book explored ideas of time and memory; showing how we all have our own version of the truth and how the past is rewritten and reshaped over time. One big question raised by the novel was: is the fantasy real? At the meeting, it was debated whether the entire fantasy element of the novel was symbolic – if it was all the creation of a young boy who had suffered something traumatic in his childhood and used his imagination to deal with it. If Gaiman was hinting at this, most readers felt that he didn’t give them enough on which to build this theory.
One reader remarked how she looked for themes and meanings, but was continually disappointed. It was noted that detail is important to a children’s story, but Gaiman introduced many such elements only to abandon them later. Another commented that the book wasn’t fantastical enough to be a strong fantasy story, but equally, it wasn’t developed enough to be enjoyed as a work of realist fiction. Only two members were genuinely enthusiastic about the novel – impressed by the writing, entranced by the fantastical elements, moved by the boy’s fear and confusion, and happy to revel in the vivid world created by Gaiman.
Many members were muted in their response to the book and were of the opinion that it didn’t really work as a book group read. However, those who truly disliked the book were vocal in their disapproval! One member recounted how he had been willing to give the book a go, but his impatience grew to the point where he wanted to throw it across the room. ‘I wonder if I'd approached the book stoned, would it have been more enjoyable’, was his most memorable comment.
As Gaiman’s book failed to impress the Group, it received a mark of just 5.3, but the true failing of the book was evidenced in the fact that the meeting ended early.
The first matter discussed by the group was whether Ocean is a children’s or adult book. Most of those present felt that it lacked the necessary depth and plot to make it a good adult novel, but that it would be an engaging read for children at bedtime. However, it was pointed out by a few readers that the novel may be too dark and philosophical for younger readers. Some of the readers admitted to not being avid fans of the fantasy genre, but did not dismiss the book on the grounds that it was more geared towards the children’s book market. However, one reader noted that, while the novel might aspire to join the ranks of JK Rowling and Philip Pullman, it fell far short of these heavyweights and was nothing more than a bland children’s book.
Gaiman’s writing was praised at the meeting – all agreed that he effectively evoked the world of the child and that the writing was very engaging and attractive. Gaiman’s use of imagery and his depiction of the power of fear was felt to be particularly strong. One member commented on how much she had enjoyed the descriptions of food in the book. Descriptions of food were lush and often central to the action – the protagonist associated the kind of food he was eating with his level of safety and revelled in the wholesome fare at the Hempstock’s farm.
All felt that something intrinsic was missing from the novel – it needed to delve deeper, to interrogate the lives of the characters further, and not simply skim over the issues. Threads were introduced only to be abandoned: such as the plot device of the opal hunter who commits suicide, which opens the novel, but is never explored further. Similarly, the protagonist returns as an adult for a funeral, but his life between childhood and adulthood is never covered, nor is the detail behind his return. One member remarked that the novel felt like ‘a fragment of a bigger story’. It was thought that a lot of background detail and explanation was lacking, which frustrated rather than intrigued readers. There is a fine line between keeping one’s readers in suspense and causing them to lose interest, and many of the Reading Group members fell into the latter category.
The book explored ideas of time and memory; showing how we all have our own version of the truth and how the past is rewritten and reshaped over time. One big question raised by the novel was: is the fantasy real? At the meeting, it was debated whether the entire fantasy element of the novel was symbolic – if it was all the creation of a young boy who had suffered something traumatic in his childhood and used his imagination to deal with it. If Gaiman was hinting at this, most readers felt that he didn’t give them enough on which to build this theory.
One reader remarked how she looked for themes and meanings, but was continually disappointed. It was noted that detail is important to a children’s story, but Gaiman introduced many such elements only to abandon them later. Another commented that the book wasn’t fantastical enough to be a strong fantasy story, but equally, it wasn’t developed enough to be enjoyed as a work of realist fiction. Only two members were genuinely enthusiastic about the novel – impressed by the writing, entranced by the fantastical elements, moved by the boy’s fear and confusion, and happy to revel in the vivid world created by Gaiman.
Many members were muted in their response to the book and were of the opinion that it didn’t really work as a book group read. However, those who truly disliked the book were vocal in their disapproval! One member recounted how he had been willing to give the book a go, but his impatience grew to the point where he wanted to throw it across the room. ‘I wonder if I'd approached the book stoned, would it have been more enjoyable’, was his most memorable comment.
As Gaiman’s book failed to impress the Group, it received a mark of just 5.3, but the true failing of the book was evidenced in the fact that the meeting ended early.
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