Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Kristina Read

Once upon a time there was a girl who lived in a house shared by three families. One family was her own, Mom, Dad, and Coraline. Another family consisted of two older ladies and two very spoiled pure-breed dogs. An old man and his pet mice made up the other family. Yet poor Coraline became very bored over summer break. Mother told her not to go outside, but instead explore the house. So Coraline did. And what she found around the house was much more than a few dust bunnies or lost toys, but rather a whole other world, hidden behind a brick wall, quite like her own except for one thing: the other world seemed much more exciting.

So begins the story of Coraline, a young and valiant explorer who finds herself stuck in new world full of the weird and wonderful, facing strange and haunting characters. Not to mention a performing mouse circus, chocolate eating terriers, a rather helpful cat and a wonderful set of other parents, Other Mother and Other Father, both of which will do just anything to make sure Coraline stays on their side of the brick wall, including replacing her eyes with shiny black buttons. Needless to say, Coralines sensible nature will not allow her to stay with such a pair of obsessive-compulsive parental units, and thus Coralines true adventure begins.
One curious mirror, two bedlams, and a couple of colorful cats eye marbles later, Coraline comes out on top of things, just as we knew she would.

Although oftentimes labeled as a childrens book, Coraline offers more than just a simple story that entertains and mystifies. The book offers room for the reader to explore, but not stray from the story, it also offers room for the reader to wonder and guess without being reprimanded, but instead, they are rewarded for their predictions.

My personal copy of Coraline has passed through basically each of my friends hands, as well as some people Ive overheard saying that there are no good contemporary fiction writers anymore. Both groups returned the book in a little shabbier condition, but also with a humungous smile on their face, letting me know that it was indeed what I said it was. And what exactly did I tell them Coraline was? Basically that she was a perfect reflection of me, in literary form.