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This thread is to discuss The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. Be prepared for spoilers.

Synopsis:

THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac - as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly's wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark, from storytelling genius Neil Gaiman.

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond the world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed - within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.

His only defense is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang

CHAPTER BREAKDOWN

Date		Chapters		Pages		PPDQs*

October 15	Chp. Prologue-04	01-62		Karen
October 16 Chp. 05-08		63-121		Lisarenee
October 17	Chp. 09-11		122-178	 	Karen
October 18	Chp. 12-Epilogue	179-243 (end)	Ashley Marie


*PPDQs = Person Posting Discussion Questions

Breakdown is based on this paperback version of the book so use the chapter numbers if you have a different version

Are you a Neil Gaiman fan? If so, you may want to check out our Neil Gaiman - A book a month for a year buddy reads. We'd love to have you join.

Here's a list our Neil Gaiman reads:

September 2013 - Coraline - BOM
October 2013 - The Ocean at the End of the Lane - BOM and Ashley Marie's choice
November 2013 - The Graveyard Book - Sonia's choice
December 2013 - Neverwhere - Karen's choice
January 2014 - American Gods - Nicole's choice
February 2014 - Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch - Sarah's choice
March 2014 - Stardust - Elizabeth's choice
April 2014 - Anansi Boys - Cathie's choice
May 2014 - Fragile Things: short fictions and wonders - Anne's choice
June 2014 - Smoke and Mirrors - Amanda's choice
July 2014 -The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes - Pigletto's choice
August 2014 - The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch - Christy's choice

Two Neil Gaiman books in a row as BOMs! Very different ones too I think :)

I'm always happy to read Neil Gaiman books!

I've never read a Neil Gaiman book, so I'm really looking forward to this. I'm picking up my copy at the library tomorrow!

Welcome Sara and Kate :)

this book is amazing!!!

@Lola - I love your name - that is my daughter's name:)

I'm in. Can't wait to read this one

Looking forward to the discussion.

Welcome Michelle x 2
:)

This book is SO so sooo good.

I just finished Neverwhere yesterday, and placed this book on reserve for October, I never paid attention to its page count, and must say I was kind of disappointed when I saw it at Barnes and Noble today and saw how thin it was, I wanted another 370 page book like Neverwhere not a 170-240 page book like Coraline :-/

Ah - but it is quality not quantity that counts! ;)

Yes, I look forward to reading it, but if it is as good as I know it is, I'll want it to continue.

My public library has at least five editions of this book, but there are so many patrons waiting for all of them! I placed holds on all of them, though, and hope one is ready for me before October 15. If not I'll just by a copy for the discussion and when we're done, the library can have that, too.

I hope you get one in time Chrissy :)

I'll try to jump in if I can.

I actually am looking forward to this book as my first. When I tried starting with American Gods, it totally overwhelmed me.

Yes I struggled with that one too Nicole. I'm hoping by doing these other NG reads with the group it will come together for me :)

Exactly! Me too :D

I was 70-something on the waitlist at my library... now I'm 43.

Whenever that happens, I go to a different library. Sometimes the hold times aren't so long then. I'll be able to pick mine up next Tuesday so I might start a little early than the group.

yes at one library I had a wait list, and another I got it right away. I have my copy already and will need to start a bit early too so that I can be on top of the reading :)

Glad I won't be the only one, Karen!

I just read this one right before Coraline, so I'm a bit ahead of schedule too. :) That never happens for me! lol

I'm just hoping I don't go into this one with my expectations too high at this point!

It's not complicated, as I've heard some of the other books are, and I thought it was better developed than Coraline. It's definitely still a fantasy book though. It's always hard to pick up a book with a lot of hype, but I liked this one.

I wasn't sure it was fantasy. Thanks for that, Kristie!

Nicole wrote: "I actually am looking forward to this book as my first. When I tried starting with American Gods, it totally overwhelmed me."

This one has layers in a very different way than American Gods. I think part of what makes American Gods overwhelming is that it's a picaresque. Ocean's plot reads as much more straightforward and less episodic, although it's still very character driven and atmospheric.

Tagged since I now have a copy to enjoy with everyone :D

:)

And thanks to Ashley Marie for providing the link to this very cool post by Amanda Palmer (NG's wife, but you may also know the name from her days with the Dresden Dolls):

Wow that is long. But totally worth it. And makes me want to start the book today!

I read this one in August and I was fascinated by the story, I'm very interested in others' opinions and the discussion, especially the part connected to those multiple layers of symbolic parts of the plot. I cannot wait to discuss it with all of you :)

Happy to read this book! Its on my wish list

Karen wrote: ":)

And thanks to Ashley Marie for providing the link to this very cool post by Amanda Palmer (NG's wife, but you may also know the name from her days with the Dresden Dolls):
The ocean at the end ..."

Awesome! Now I'm off to see if I remember The Dresden Dolls. :)
Oh...I do!!

Hurrah! I've wanted my local book club to read this, but they only read paperbacks, so I'm excited for this discussion. I think there's a lot to mulled over and discussed and plenty to spark story sharing in this book.

Great - Welcome Anima, Saxonjus and Julia Grace!

She is quite memorable Christy :)

I'm in! I hope I can keep up.

Already read it. I will see what I can contribute. I remember I was swept away into this nostalgic ethereal state by the first chapter. I loved the writing.

Hopefully Sheri! It is quite a small book and the font isn't small so I expect it to be a quick read :)

Do we know how fast we are planning to read this one, guys?

Nicole wrote: "Do we know how fast we are planning to read this one, guys?"

It's currently scheduled for 4 days, Nicole.

Fantastic! I'll definitely be able to keep up if that's the case :)

I'm so excited for this to start!

Schedule is in message 2 :)

I would love to jump in on this one. I'm just about finished The Graveyard Book and have really enjoyed it. I was going to check out some of his other books so this is perfect timing. :-)

Welcome! We are reading the Graveyard Book next month :)

The description sounds interesting. I have never read a book by Neil Gaiman, so I'm not sure what to expect. I can't wait to start reading this as I've finished The Cuckoo's Calling