Coraline: Book Review

 Book Review: Coraline by Neil Gaiman

on February 21, 2021     /     By Lorena Nunez /    In Children's Book Reviews

Coraline

Author: Neil Gaiman 

Illustrator: Dave McKean

Publication: 2002

186 pages

    Review by Lorena Nunez, student at College of the Desert, and participant in the course Children's Literature 

Review of Coraline

In the story that has been converted to a nominated award for Outstanding Animated Feature and has also made a place in the 2003 Notable Children’s List, the well written dark fantasy Coraline has brought a new world to the eyes of a reader. The story consists of a doorway to evil when a Coraline’s mother is impersonated by her “other mother” who creates a world just for her. In the beginning of the story, Coraline favors her “other mother and father,” who lavish her with everything she wants such as food, treats, and different types of novelties that her real parents do not acquire. Although, towards the end of the story, Coraline is torn apart as she fights to save her real parents from those she once favored. This also serves to influence the storyline because it deciphers the different roles that are taken by women in general in the story. 

During the story, a deeper meaning of the overall context can be uncovered. For example, inside the novel Coraline by Neil Gaiman, lies stereotypes one might think is very common is today’s society. Females, back then and today, can at times be looked down on by men who stereotypically take a more dominant and independent role in society, which leaves women with no voice or strength. You may notice that in the book, there are a few women who accept this stereotype; although, Coraline herself steers away from this stereotype and introduces herself to be rather fearless in that aspect. With that in mind, the stereotype of having male dominance in society is also overlooked when both of Coraline’s mothers are displayed to hold the powerful voices in the novel. They are portrayed to be the “woman of house” instead of having a stereotypical “man of the house.” The conflict lies in the fact that women in the novel are seen as the antagonist because they hold such a role. Another stereotype that is brought up are the duties that a woman takes within her family. In a point of the novel, Coraline’s mother states that her father is the one who cooks while she on the other hand is in charge of cleaning. This puts women in the common stereotype that women are to alway be the ones to clean. 

In the novel, it does not really specify their type of living, or the situation they are in. Coraline is portrayed to be a Michigan girl, who has just moved into a house they could afford. Although, there is a point where Coraline asks her mother for a pair of gloves, but her mother says no for both the unnecessary item and the fact that it costs a bit more. 

Relationships are very notable in Gaiman's novel Coraline. In the beginning we are met with Coraline being hesitant and ignorant with her parents for the rules and demands they set out for her. Whereas later on, when she meets her “other parents,” she seems happy and content with the rules they set out, if they had any which they did not. Coraline seemingly enjoyed her other parents world because she was free to do as she pleased and was offered anything and everything she wanted. Looking a bit deeper, we can also distinguish that even though the story is written in Coraline’s perspective, the adults in the story seem to take a more dominant role and effect. Similar to the stereotypes of women we established, the women carry their families, almost like a liability. 

In a biography about Gaiman’s background, I was sent flying when Gaiman had noted that the whole point of him writing Coraline was to create a story where a girl was the heroine. Although in the beginning of the novel, Coraline may be displayed as an ignorant young girl for leaving her real parents behind, she also serves as the hero of the story in the end. This role is served when Coraline saves her parents from her fake mother, who attempts to convince Coraline to stay with her new family. As Coraline says no, her “other mother” becomes enraged and shows her true monstrous identity, which leads to her trapping her parents.  In the while of her saving her parents Coraline soon realizes that she did not appreciate her parents for everything they did for her. In the while of her saving her parents Coraline.

Like stated before, Coraline has served to be nominated and won awards, suggesting that it is favored by many. Although keeping in mind that this novel is directed towards children, the effects of what the story may have on children is to be taken into consideration. Children may have seen things in Coraline’s perspective meaning that they may have made the same decision that she made in the novel such as choosing her “other parents” over her real ones. This is completely normal as seen that the “other mother” made sure to give Coraline everything she desired. Although from the end of the story, when Coraline’s “other mother” is revealed to be a horrible monster, children are able to learn a few valuable lessons such as behaving, respecting adults, and listening to your parents. In an adult's perspective, parents are able to see that if one does not set boundaries or demands like a parents should, things may get out of hand. The story’s effect on children may have been negatively influencing in the beginning, but succeeded in teaching children how to act. 

Looking into the background of the Coraline’s writer, Neil Gaiman, we are able to uncover his reasons on why he wrote this dark fantasy. Neil had first stated that this novel was meant for his daughter, Holly, who at the time was five years old. It served to entertain her and have her enter a “new world”. He was said to be inspired by a little door that was covered up by bricks, similar to the one he wrote about in his novel Coraline. Gaiman mentioned that the story was only to be five to ten pages long, but ended up being much longer. Although during the novel’s process, Gaiman stopped writing the story and focused on others. He ended up sending a copy to one of his editors years later where she had stated she loved it. He finished it a while later and stated that it gave children the adventure they longed for, but creeped the adults out for being able to decipher a more darker tone from the story. 

Coraline’s copyright date is 2002 and continues to be an amazing novel for both children and adults. Keeping in mind that the novel has also been converted to an amazing film that helps bring the creepy and dark fantasy aura that Gaiman hoped for to life. With that being said, the pictures in the novel also help deliver Gaiman's creepy image and perspective. Overall the novel Coraline written by Neil Gaiman is both an amazing novel and can be taken into many perspectives of stereotypes, relations, effects, etc.