The Bookends discussion

Since we have quite a few new members in the group, I thought I would give another shot to some group discussion. You are certainly not limited to these questions, but feel free to answer any or all of them as you choose.

1. Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean are frequent collaborators. How do McKean's illustrations contribute to your reading of the story?

2. The graveyard is populated with characters we typically think of as evil. How does Gaiman play with this idea, particularly in the characters of Silas, Miss Lupescu, and Eliza Hempstock? What do these characterizations suggest about human nature?

3. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. How does the graveyard come together to raise this particular child? Describe the special mentoring relationships that Bod has with Silas and Miss Lupescu.

4. "A graveyard is not normally a democracy, and yet death is the great democracy" (p. 29). How is death the great democracy? How does Gaiman explore the relationship between the dead and the living?

www.bookbrowse.com

I know this was an October read, but I just joined this group and have this book on hold at the library to read next. The summary really caught my attention ^.^

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!