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Alejandro's Reviews > The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
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by
Can a pond being an ocean? Sure! Why not?
DON'T THINK IN LIMITATIONS BUT POSIBILITIES
Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside.
Once you can get to accept that a pond likely can be a whole ocean, you will then enjoy this wonderful book.
I think that Neil Gaiman, the author, was a genius even deciding the length of the book.
Sure, the initial intention was to make a short story that ended inton being a novel, but at 181 pages of length, it's most likely a novella.
However, that's the beauty of the concept.
Can a book being a library? Mmh...
Since, in these 181 pages, you have a fairy tale, a horror story, a family drama, even adventure, humor, philosophy, etc...
A THICK BOOK ISN'T GUARANTEE OF ANYTHING GOOD
A story only matters, I suspect, to the extent that the people in the story change.
Neil Gaiman can accomplish so much more in just 181 pages than other authors in 700 plus pages.
A big book isn't a guarantee of being any good.
A short book can be as much fantastic, if not more.
Even it's more respectful being able to create a so rich story in so few pages than having 700 plus pages and not resolving anything.
Sometimes people can think that only thick books deserve respect and don't get me wrong, there are many thick books indeed worthy of respect, but the quantity of written pages isn't a certification that any book is indeed really good.
And certainly there are also bad small books too.
But I can tell you that...
...this is a small book AND it's reallly good!
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside.
This is a story where I can assure you that I was so scared at some moments than in other books clearly labeled as horror, and I was so astounded with the magic here than in other books clearly labeled as fantasy.
Even if you know some of Neil Gaiman's influences when he was a kid, you will be glad to see them here in a way or other.
Even if you read really carefully you will get to know about where certain other writers got some ideas for their own insanely famous books, letting clear that sometimes author's originality is just a matter of reader's ignorance.
Highly recommended!
DON'T THINK IN LIMITATIONS BUT POSIBILITIES
Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside.
Once you can get to accept that a pond likely can be a whole ocean, you will then enjoy this wonderful book.
I think that Neil Gaiman, the author, was a genius even deciding the length of the book.
Sure, the initial intention was to make a short story that ended inton being a novel, but at 181 pages of length, it's most likely a novella.
However, that's the beauty of the concept.
Can a book being a library? Mmh...
Since, in these 181 pages, you have a fairy tale, a horror story, a family drama, even adventure, humor, philosophy, etc...
A THICK BOOK ISN'T GUARANTEE OF ANYTHING GOOD
A story only matters, I suspect, to the extent that the people in the story change.
Neil Gaiman can accomplish so much more in just 181 pages than other authors in 700 plus pages.
A big book isn't a guarantee of being any good.
A short book can be as much fantastic, if not more.
Even it's more respectful being able to create a so rich story in so few pages than having 700 plus pages and not resolving anything.
Sometimes people can think that only thick books deserve respect and don't get me wrong, there are many thick books indeed worthy of respect, but the quantity of written pages isn't a certification that any book is indeed really good.
And certainly there are also bad small books too.
But I can tell you that...
...this is a small book AND it's reallly good!
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside.
This is a story where I can assure you that I was so scared at some moments than in other books clearly labeled as horror, and I was so astounded with the magic here than in other books clearly labeled as fantasy.
Even if you know some of Neil Gaiman's influences when he was a kid, you will be glad to see them here in a way or other.
Even if you read really carefully you will get to know about where certain other writers got some ideas for their own insanely famous books, letting clear that sometimes author's originality is just a matter of reader's ignorance.
Highly recommended!
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Quotes Alejandro Liked
“Nobody looks like what they really are on the inside. You don’t. I don’t. People are much more complicated than that. It’s true of everybody.”
― The Ocean at the End of the Lane
― The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Reading Progress
July 8, 2013
–
Started Reading
July 8, 2013
– Shelved
July 11, 2013
– Shelved as:
horror
July 11, 2013
– Shelved as:
paranormal
July 11, 2013
–
Finished Reading
July 29, 2013
– Shelved as:
magic
August 5, 2013
– Shelved as:
novel
Comments Showing 1-50 of 55 (55 new)
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Carly
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Jul 11, 2013 06:49PM
Nice to see that the book is living up to its hype!
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In my case, I enjoyed it, a lot :)
Glad I didn't lead you astray. :)
Wayne wrote: "Glad I didn't lead you astray. :)"Oh, no! ;) It was a good recommendation! ;)
Good this on my kindle - pre-ordered it even - but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Tanja wrote: "Good this on my kindle - pre-ordered it even - but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet."Way glad that you pre-ordered :D I'm sure that you'll enjoy it a lot, and it's a quick reading. I look forward to read your review about it when you can get into the book. :)
I have no doubt I will enjoy it. :-) Saving it for the right mood.
Tanja wrote: "I have no doubt I will enjoy it. :-) Saving it for the right mood."That's a wise decision! :D
Great review, buddy! :D
Awhh I want to read it ASAP! :(
I'm glad you enjoyed this book :). I thought it was beautifully written, but I never really connected with the characters. Great review!
Branwen wrote: "Great review, buddy! :D"Thanks, Branwen! ;)
Rikke wrote: "Awhh I want to read it ASAP! :("I hope you'll do it :D I'm sure that you'll enjoy it a lot!
Chelsea wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed this book :). I thought it was beautifully written, but I never really connected with the characters. Great review!"Really? I feel connected alright, at least I could see them like 3-dimensional people. But, that's okay. No all books are for all people ;) And even when one likes a book, one doesn't always like everything in the book. ;)
I picked up this book at the library a few days ago. I'm so glad you gave it such a positive review, Alejandro.
Connie wrote: "I picked up this book at the library a few days ago. I'm so glad you gave it such a positive review, Alejandro."Truly glad that you picked up the book :)
And I am so glad too that you liked my review about the book.
They way you describe the way the book kinda goes it makes me wanna read it even more I like the way that you described it thank you I thank you
Jaelynn Monet McElrath wrote: "They way you describe the way the book kinda goes it makes me wanna read it even more I like the way that you described it thank you I thank you"Thank you so much for your kind comment! I really appreciate it! I do hope that you'd enjoy it a lot the book once you read it.
Missed this review some how Alejandro - exellent. I've just got this book, so excited, lol.
Florence (Lefty) wrote: "Missed this review some how Alejandro - exellent. I've just got this book, so excited, lol."Well, then truly glad that you found it ;) Thanks so much for reading it.
Awesome! I hope you'll like the book as much as I did.
Happy reading!
Neil Gaiman can acomplish so much more in just 181 pages than other authors in 700 plus pages.Exactly! I need to read this. Great review.
Florencia wrote: "Neil Gaiman can acomplish so much more in just 181 pages than other authors in 700 plus pages.Exactly! I need to read this. Great review."
Thank you, Florencia :) I hope you'd enjoy the book as much as I did!
Alejandro, your review was very helpful. I will buy the book.
Sanjay wrote: "Alejandro, your review was very helpful. I will buy the book."Truly glad to know, Sanjay! :D I'm grateful that my review helped you to decide to buy this book! :D I do hope that you'd enjoy it as much as I did!
Yeah Alejandro, thanks to your review I bought the book and just waiting for it to be delivered.p.s: It's very nice when you are making your mind to purchase a book and suddenly finding a friend of yours on goodreads recommending it highly.
Sanjay wrote: "Yeah Alejandro, thanks to your review I bought the book and just waiting for it to be delivered.p.s: It's very nice when you are making your mind to purchase a book and suddenly finding a friend ..."
Hi, Sanjay! I'm sorry that I noticed your reply until now.
Certainly it's like a fateful sign when you get a book and one of your fellow reader friends in GR is highly recommending it ;)
Very true! Writing something solid in only a few pages shows a lot of skill as a writer, so I really respect people that can do it. Likewise, really long books are also challenging—not only to write, but to keep the interest of the reader and seem necessary. But, personally, I think shorter books take the most skill and are the most satisfying to read. Everything feels so necessary and tight when I read a book like that.
Lady Sugo wrote: "Very true! Writing something solid in only a few pages shows a lot of skill as a writer, so I really respect people that can do it. Likewise, really long books are also challenging—not only to writ..."Well said, Lady Sugo ;) Nowadays, with so much options in entertainment, a thick book can be something than some readers aren't so eager to engage fearing all the time that they may invest in something that they can't be certain that they would really enjoy.
Just saw your review and now I MUST read this book. I had resisted up to now but I love small books that succinctly tell a whole story well! Great review!
I'm glad I'm not the only one!
Brilliant review, Kuya Alejandro. You summed up my thoughts here, only you do it so much better. Lol.^^
This sounds good! I have read a little bit of Gaiman and I liked it also.
Lela wrote: "Just saw your review and now I MUST read this book. I had resisted up to now but I love small books that succinctly tell a whole story well! Great review!"Hi, Lela! I can't guarantee that you'd enjoy the book, but the good thing is that indeed is a short one, so you don't have to invest much time ;)
Aj the Ravenous Reader wrote: "Brilliant review, Kuya Alejandro. You summed up my thoughts here, only you do it so much better. Lol.^^"Hi, Aj! You're so much kind ;)
Gary wrote: "This sounds good! I have read a little bit of Gaiman and I liked it also."Awesome to know, Gary :D
Wilderness wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one!"Thanks for your feedback :)
No guarantees needed! Different people/same book....it could go in any direction! But, your review made me want to give it a go!
Lela wrote: "No guarantees needed! Different people/same book....it could go in any direction! But, your review made me want to give it a go!"Awesome, Lela!!! :D
Happy reading! ;)
I gave this book as a gift, and now I want to borrow it back & read it!
Excellent review, Kuya Alejandro! :)
Jan wrote: "I gave this book as a gift, and now I want to borrow it back & read it!"Hahaha ;) I think that it is indeed a wise idea, Jan! ;)
Pearl wrote: "Excellent review, Kuya Alejandro! :)"Thank you so much, Pearl! I do appreciate your very kind comments!
Sounds like an interesting book. I liked your quote: sometimes author's originality is just a matter of reader's ignorance.I think this may be quite true when you think about it.
Excellent review, Alejandro. :)
Debbie wrote: "Sounds like an interesting book. I liked your quote: sometimes author's originality is just a matter of reader's ignorance.I think this may be quite true when you think about it."
Hi, Debbie! Definitely that's one of the best quotes in the book ;)
Cindy wrote: "Fab review! Interesting! :D"Thank you so much, Cindy! I do appreciate your kind feedback!
Aditi wrote: "Wow, brilliant review!"Thank you a lots, Aditi ;)
Neil(ed) it! wrote: "Excellent review, Alejandro. :)"Thanks, Neil! I appreciate the feedback!
