The Graveyard Book

[Doktor Estrella]

I first read about this on Gaiman's website...it'll be hard to wait until October for this to come out! Synopsis (http://www.thegraveyardbook.com/story/)

[Martin Pale]

I think I read about this in Time magazine... it's sort of like the Jungle Book, but with dead people instead of wolves, right?

[Doktor Estrella]

I had to think about it for a minute, but it is a variation on the plot of the Jungle Book; Shere Khan is a homicidal maniac named "Every Man Jack" and Bagheera is the caretaker named "Silas," I believe. I'm guessing that the teacher "Miss Lupescu" is the equivalent of Baloo and the dead witch, "Liza Hempstock" is possibly Kaa if Gaiman is sticking strictly to the Kipling version or is like King Louie if he is borrowing from the Disney version.

[Doktor Estrella]

In case anyone missed this when it was posted at Neil Gaiman's journal, here (http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/1970030997.html?nid=3713) is an excellent review of The Graveyard Book.

[The Colour of Heartache]

I love the concept of this book and am looking forward to reading it.

[Doktor Estrella]

I finished reading the book a little while ago--it was amazing. The illustrations fit the story and mood very well and were interesting because of their retro aspects. The supernatural world that the book depicts is completely fascinating, but for fear of ruining the story, I'll wait until everyone gets a chance to read it.

For added fun, check out Gaiman's journal (http://journal.neilgaiman.com/search/label/free%20book%20but%20this%20time%20in%20installment s%20and%20filmed) or his Mouse Circus (http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx) website where uploads of the author reading each chapter are available.

[segundus]

So it's essentially The Jungle Book but set in an entirely different environment? Interesting concept..