slacker mommy files

    It all starts with a murder. The mother, the father, and the sister is dead: only the youngest child was left alive. The child toddles down from his attic bedroom, out into the street, and uphill to the graveyard. All the while, the man Jack was clueless that his last target has eluded him and was now under the Protection of the Graveyard. Thus the child, then so named Nobody, was adopted and raised by the dead.

    Three weeks ago, Leejay brought me a copy of Neil Gaiman’s latest novel The Graveyard Book. It is the Dream King’s second book aimed towards younger audiences and was even accorded the coveted John Newbery Medal. Like his first foray in the genre, Neil transcends barriers with this macabre and gothic tale. At first glance, it seems that this hardly seems likely to be a children’s book. Indeed, the first reaction is to keep this book well away from children’s reach. But once you get over the initial paragraphs (the death of the family was not described graphically, by the way), you will be treated to an engaging albeit spooky adventure.

    The Graveyard Book is a story of childhood and growing up. Despite the gloomy setting, it is a pretty much like the real world. There has been some concerns about books such as this. Some parents think that these stories of macabre gothic are inappropriate for children, but I think that in this age of fast assimilation, it will be the children’s disadvantage if they are not properly aware of how scary the world is out there. The Jacks of all Trades represent all the unknowable dangers in the world that youngsters will have to face in time without the aid of the mysterious Silas or the grey Miss Lupescu. It is also a reminder to us parents that we are the ones who should be responsible for equipping our children before we let them go out there in the world. I don’t mean that we let them all see the “carnage” out there, but that we make them understand that there are more things out there, less pretty things that could do them harm if they are not careful, if they don’t mind themselves properly. At the same time, the story also advices us that to teach our children, we must also let them teach themselves; let them explore the world on their own while we wait in the wings, ready to bail them out if they need it.

     Gaiman’s latest novel is not only for children, but also for their parents. It is a worthwhile read, and a dark adventure to be enjoyed by young and alike. So give it a try. You won’t be sorry.


Neil Gaiman Reads Chapter One of The Graveyard Book – The top video clips of the week are here

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