The County Library discussion

I hope you enjoyed our April pick, The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.

This month we're reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Please add a comment or respond to someone else's comment sometime this month, so I can track participation in the book club. Thanks!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane has intriguing, painful, and fantastical elements. Here are some questions for you...
Where does the boy feel most at home? Why do you think that is?
Find water in the story, where is it, does it mean anything? What do you think the water in a particular scene means, or adds to the story?

I read it a year or two ago. It was interesting, though I had to label the main character as Too Stupid To Live.

It is in my "to read someday" list and the library has it as an audiobook so I think I'll give it a shot.

Gaiman narrates it, I think. He's very good.

Oooh I loved this one. I should look at it again to see if it's a good one to listen to with my girls. (If my youngest had her way we'd probably listen to the audio of Fortunately, the Milk like once a week.)

This is a really disturbing book. I'm a little over half way done.

I've just started it, I have no idea what it's about, but the comments have me intrigued.

Audrey wrote: "Gaiman narrates it, I think. He's very good."

Yes, his narration is wonderful, perfectly soulful.

This was nothing like I expected. At times, it was hard to follow. By the end, I loved it.

Sandie I feel like that sums up everything I've read by Gaiman!

Nope. Didn't like it. Just glad it's over. I really liked his The Graveyard Book but not this one. I case you are interested, my review. The bathtub scene scared the holy hoolie out of me. Probably because I remember when, as a teenager, I thought I really was going to drown and there was no one to save me. I was at the point I decided it was best to do just one big breath of the water. By the grace of God I sucked in air. No, I was not in a bathtub.

I haven't read much Gaiman, but I don't think I am a big fan.

When my son was little, he was terrified of being sucked down the bathtub drain. He seemed okay when I explained he was too big. But he does have that weird fear of holes now.

Okay I'd completely forgotten how firmly adult fiction this one is... definitely not one to do with my girls lol.
It's dark and weird and I don't generally even do horror but Gaiman's books just...work for me.