21 min
The Ocean at the End of the Lane Book Talk
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- Books
This month, host Sasha de Buyl is joined by Graphic Scotland's Ariadne Cass-Maran and Scottish Book Trust's own Michael Merillo to discuss Neil Gaiman's latest novel for adults, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. But is this book, about a man who looks back on his childhood haunts and adventures and his friendship with a very unusual girl, really meant for adults, or is it a children's book masquerading as something for the older crowd? The question is a surprisingly complex one, as the novel deals with many dark themes in a fairly delicate manner, while touching on the magic and whimsy of childhood and employing a structure -- two children meet and have fantastical adventures -- that frequently appears in children's fiction.
The novel's audience isn't the only matter up for debate. Other discussions that arise include:
* Is the narrator too unreliable or too much of an empty vessel to be interesting on his own, or does his emptiness signify something important (and devastating) about him?
* Did the grim relationship between the narrator and his father hit home and bring up any (less traumatic, hopefully!) memories from your own childhood?
* Is the book worthy of the praise that's been heaped upon it since its publication?
Hear what our panel thought about these and other questions!
This month, host Sasha de Buyl is joined by Graphic Scotland's Ariadne Cass-Maran and Scottish Book Trust's own Michael Merillo to discuss Neil Gaiman's latest novel for adults, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. But is this book, about a man who looks back on his childhood haunts and adventures and his friendship with a very unusual girl, really meant for adults, or is it a children's book masquerading as something for the older crowd? The question is a surprisingly complex one, as the novel deals with many dark themes in a fairly delicate manner, while touching on the magic and whimsy of childhood and employing a structure -- two children meet and have fantastical adventures -- that frequently appears in children's fiction.
The novel's audience isn't the only matter up for debate. Other discussions that arise include:
* Is the narrator too unreliable or too much of an empty vessel to be interesting on his own, or does his emptiness signify something important (and devastating) about him?
* Did the grim relationship between the narrator and his father hit home and bring up any (less traumatic, hopefully!) memories from your own childhood?
* Is the book worthy of the praise that's been heaped upon it since its publication?
Hear what our panel thought about these and other questions!
21 min