This review is spoiler free.
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us than dragons can be beaten.”
Published: 2009, by Bloomsbury.
Length: 3hrs 34mins (Narrated by Dawn French)
Format: Audio-book
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult, Fiction, Children’s
Contains: Violence, Blood/Gore, Neglect
‘Coraline’ follows young Coraline, a girl with a itch for exploring, who discovers that her new flat has fourteen doors. Thirteen of which that open and close, one which doesn’t. One day, Coraline manages to unlock the door, and discovers another house just like her own. Except it’s different. It’s where her ‘other family’ live.
I knew the moment I purchased this audio-book that I was going to love it, which definitely shined through the more I delved into the story.
Coraline, as a protagonist, was a joy to read. She’s curious, cunning, and confident, everything a little girl should be. Having her dictate the story made it flow beautiful, delving further into the madness of the story.
The Other Mother had so much more depth to her character than the film adaptation, being able to pinpoint her sinister plans earlier on with the help of Coraline’s detective work. She’s a brilliant character, and makes for the perfect antagonist; mysterious, yet desirable.
Being someone to knows the novel from the film adaptation, I already knew the direction the story was heading. However, that didn’t change my thoughts throughout at all. I fell in love with the story and Gaiman’s words, which was a brilliant talent for a novel with only one setting.
Dawn French being the narrator simply made this even more perfect. Her voice fitted Coraline beautifully, with her effective and dominate tone, she placed you into the creepy world that you never wanted to escape from.
Overall, I love this book, nearly as much as I love the film, and will definitely be something I return to the more I need a little creepieness in my life.
5/5
Who is your favourite fictional villain?
A Little Fool Reads 
I love this book so much, it is my absolute favourite and I love it when people love it too.
The Other Mother is such a unique villain to exist, especially in animated movies, I loved the whole idea of it when i first watched the movie. It is so eerie and yet makes so much sense, all at the same time!
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