One of the books under the Christmas tree for me this year was Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. It probably would have stayed longer on my ‘to read’ shelf if not for the ardent support given to it by one of my friends and coworkers, Kristin (the same person who recommended that I read Coraline). She actually brought her copy in for me to read, and when I told her I already had my own, she insisted that I read it right away. It was already sitting on my nightstand as one of my upcoming possiblities – but we all know how whimsical the nightstand pile can be, so it was no guarantee that I’d be reading it anytime soon without her harassment encouragement.

Well, her persistence paid off, and I was one happy reader. The Graveyard Book is written for a more mature audience than Coraline, but it’s not as dark or frightening. The story begins with a mysterious man who has broken into a house, killing its inhabitants, with the exception of a baby boy. The toddler has escaped and makes his way to a nearby historic cemetery. The cemetery’s incorporeal residents take him in as one of their own, with the assistance of another cemetery resident, Silas, who becomes the boy’s guardian, and a ghostly couple who take on the responsibility of being his parents.

The baby is named Nobody, Bod for short, and he grows up amongst the graves, a happy but mainly solitary child. From time to time, he manages to get himself into some sticky situations, but with the help of Silas and others, young Bod comes through mostly unscathed. When the outside world threatens to shatter the peace of the graveyard, Bod stands up to protect those he loves.

While I didn’t cry at the end like Kristin, I did thoroughly enjoy this tale and hope it is the first of Bod’s adventures that we get to read. Gaiman is true to form, creating characters who inspire real affection with a plot that is playful, melancholy – and pure magic. The story reminded me a little of A Fine and Private Place, a book written by Peter Beagle. Both feature cemeteries as places of refuge, not fear, but with the caveat that ultimately, graveyards belong to the dead, not the living.

The Graveyard Book was my first entry in the Dewey’s Books Challenge; her review is here. Although I didn’t really know Dewey, I saw her presence and impact all over the book blogging world, and know that she was a vital part of the community who will be missed. Thanks to those who saw fit to honor her memory by hosting this challenge.