Categories: BooksREVIEWS

Of Magic, Wonder and a Pond that is Actually an Ocean

It’s been a really long time since a book has absorbed me in its tale. I can’t remember the last time that I wished to spend every free moment wandering through a book’s pages. Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean At The End of The Lane gave me that feeling. It’s the kind of book that makes you fall in love with the art of storytelling all over again.
The novel follows a man’s journey back to his village to attend a funeral. He then remembers snippets of his past and the story then takes you back to his childhood, particularly to the strange and magical events that unfold after the death of a man who lived with the protagonist’s family.
I would describe the book as a fairy tale for adults, for while Gaiman leads you on an Enid Blyton like tour of a magical Essex village, adult themes of love, death and greed are subtly juxtaposed in between.
Gaiman is a wonderful story teller whose words and characters grip you like a sudden cold wind on a sunny day. He shows you glimpses of different worlds devoid of space and time and reminds you of the innocence and wonder of being a child in an adult world.
-Nathaniel D’Costa

GETTING TO KNOW NEIL GAIMAN

Neil Gaiman is a prolific English writer of graphic novels, short stories, novels, comic books, films, TV shows and audio plays

HIS THEMES
Fantasy, science fiction, horror, fairy tales, magical realism
RECOMMENDED FOR
those who enjoy escaping to a dimension entirely unlike reality
TRIVIA
* Started reading at the age of four
* Was a journalist before he published his first fiction work, a short story; he was 24
* Wrote a Batman story for DC Comics
* Has written two episodes of Doctor Who

READING SHELF

The Sandman
A dazzling comic book series on an entity called Dream who rules over the world of dreams

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Gods: A novel on Shadow, an ex-con who operates in the realm of gods and mythological creatures

The Graveyard Book : A scinitillating book about a toddler raised in a graveyard by ghosts

 

 

 

 

 

RECENT RELEASES

NEVER SAY NEVER

by Anjali Kirpalani
Genre: Romance
Plot: Nikita Kumar is a 25-year-old unemployed girl who falls in love with the wrong people and doesn’t know what to do with herself, so she decides to change her life. But things don’t go according to her plans.
Price: Rs. 100

 

 

THEODORE BOON:
THE ACTIVIST
by John Grisham
Genre: Legal drama
Plot: Theodore Boon, a young lawyer, finds himself at odds against a corrupt bureaucracy when homes, offices and schools are suddenly bulldozed to make way for a bypass.
Price: Rs. 250

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume 3 Issue 2

Nitish Shah

Nitish Shah is the Founder & Editor of Youth Incorporated. A successful entrepreneur, he has been in international trade for over 15 years and speaks several languages. He is passionate about travelling and an avid art collector. He holds the cause of helping underprivileged kids close to his heart.

Recent Posts

Crossword Book Awards 2025: Celebrating the Best of Indian Storytelling

The Crossword Book Awards returned this week for its 19th edition, honouring the stories and…

23 hours ago

What you need to know about the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025

The HECI Bill, 2025 is a major reform package that seeks to replace India’s multiple…

1 day ago

‍‌The New Indian Labour Codes: How They Affect You

India’s labour system just got a major shake-up. Until now, rules for workers and labourers…

3 days ago

​‍​‌‍​World AIDS Day: How Technology Caught Up But Society Didn’t

Every year on December 1st, the world observes World AIDS Day, and the statistics tell…

4 days ago

Waves 2025: A Celebration That Took Over Goa

Waves 2025 arrived with colour, sound, and an atmosphere that filled every corner of the…

1 week ago

Oasis 2025 Celebrates Cultural Excellence, Student Creativity and 24×4 Fest Spirit at BITS Pilani

BITS Pilani’s annual cultural festival Oasis 2025 concluded on November 11 after four days of…

1 week ago