Coraline: The Graphic Novel
by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell (Illustrator)
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Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.Tags
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paradoxosalpha Kids move into haunted houses: Stories told in graphic novels for adult sensibilities.
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P. Craig Russell’s Coraline adapts the 2002 novella by Neil Gaiman in which Coraline Jone and her parents move into an old house in which Coraline finds a portal to an alternate world. There she encounters her “other mother,” a monstrous entity that wishes to keep Coraline and sew buttons onto her eyes. The story evokes classic fairytale elements while also feeling grounded in a timeless present that any reader will find home regardless of their age. Russell’s adaptation and artwork aids this sense of a classic fairytale, particularly given Russell’s prior experience adapting classic science fiction like Michael Moorcock’s Elric, Oscar Wilde’s fairytales, Kipling’s Jungle Book, and more. Certain elements of Gaiman’s show more story likely draw upon his own life, such as when Coraline’s other mother locked her in a cupboard and cautioned that she and her followers “temper [their] justice with mercy” (p. 98). This recalls the punishments with which Gaiman would have been familiar from a childhood in Scientology. Given recent revelations from Lila Shapiro’s reporting, whole elements of the story take on far more foreboding connotations. Russell’s faithful adaptation will entertain those looking to read this work, though Henry Selick’s film remains the best adaptation, especially given his alterations to the original work to create something that transcends genre and medium. show less
Not a bad graphic novel, but so much of horror depends on imagining the awful things that having them pictured, as with a graphic novel, tends to dampen the effect. And the pictures themselves were so clean and even bright that I found myself reassured rather than frightened. I did enjoy seeing Coraline's adventures through another's eyes, but I was glad I'd read the book, and experienced them myself, first.
Gaiman's Coraline is a chilling portal fantasy, a warped version of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871) as seen through a distorting prism. Her family moves to a flat in an old decaying mansion, but her parents are too wrapped up in themselves and their work to pay much attention to her. In her boredom, exasperated at the rather dotty aged residents in the other flats, she explores the house and eventually finds a locked door.
Though it's bricked up she soon somehow finds herself through on the other side, only to find herself confronted by a psychic vampire of an 'other' mother with button eyes, eventually becoming trapped in a nightmare existence. However, just as Alice had both her Dinah and show more the Cheshire Cat, Coraline has a feline helper as adviser and companion, guiding her through the labyrinth and assisting her with the tricksy obstacles the other mother puts in her way.
Neil Gaiman's spooky novella is well served by P Craig Russell's adaptation: though Coraline's appearance is a year or two older than I imagined her, he has rendered her moods and mannerisms exactly as I remember them from the text. Here body language and expression exactly mirror her boredom, sulkiness, irritation, confusion, fear, determination and joy. The supporting cast of assorted adults are also well characterised, their quirkiness brought out in appearance and behavioural tics.
The house is the epitome of the Victorian Gothick residence, all sash windows, French chateau touches and oppressive decor. The 'other' house is surrounded by mists, or loses definition the further Coraline walks away from it, only to find herself back where she started. And, naturally, it has its resident ghosts, rats, bats, a cellar and an attic filled with putrid rubbish, even an abandoned theatre. The level of detail is just right, mixing realism and illusion as it runs the gamut of everything from sweet dreams to nightmare, from normality to horror, from delight to distress.
The author's ability to take cliché and weave it into an intricate seamless tapestry is always astonishing. The ambulating hand in The Adams Family films, the key from traditional Bluebeard tales, the holed stone of ghost stories and local legends, the object containing a soul familiar from both Russian lore and the Harry Potter series, the witch from Handel and Gretel, all are grist to Gaiman's imaginative mill, transmuted to become integral to the tale and yet, with every appearance of being freshly minted. This version is true to the spirit of the original, and well worth more than a cursory glance. show less
Though it's bricked up she soon somehow finds herself through on the other side, only to find herself confronted by a psychic vampire of an 'other' mother with button eyes, eventually becoming trapped in a nightmare existence. However, just as Alice had both her Dinah and show more the Cheshire Cat, Coraline has a feline helper as adviser and companion, guiding her through the labyrinth and assisting her with the tricksy obstacles the other mother puts in her way.
Neil Gaiman's spooky novella is well served by P Craig Russell's adaptation: though Coraline's appearance is a year or two older than I imagined her, he has rendered her moods and mannerisms exactly as I remember them from the text. Here body language and expression exactly mirror her boredom, sulkiness, irritation, confusion, fear, determination and joy. The supporting cast of assorted adults are also well characterised, their quirkiness brought out in appearance and behavioural tics.
The house is the epitome of the Victorian Gothick residence, all sash windows, French chateau touches and oppressive decor. The 'other' house is surrounded by mists, or loses definition the further Coraline walks away from it, only to find herself back where she started. And, naturally, it has its resident ghosts, rats, bats, a cellar and an attic filled with putrid rubbish, even an abandoned theatre. The level of detail is just right, mixing realism and illusion as it runs the gamut of everything from sweet dreams to nightmare, from normality to horror, from delight to distress.
The author's ability to take cliché and weave it into an intricate seamless tapestry is always astonishing. The ambulating hand in The Adams Family films, the key from traditional Bluebeard tales, the holed stone of ghost stories and local legends, the object containing a soul familiar from both Russian lore and the Harry Potter series, the witch from Handel and Gretel, all are grist to Gaiman's imaginative mill, transmuted to become integral to the tale and yet, with every appearance of being freshly minted. This version is true to the spirit of the original, and well worth more than a cursory glance. show less
Although I almost read exclusively in the Graphic Novel genre, I was skeptical that a visual adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline" would add anything to this very spooky tale. While it is certainly no substitute for reading the original work, P. Craig Russell's exquisite art makes this work an outstanding companion piece. Russell's adaptation is well paced, both in his choice of what to include in the storyline, and his choice of panel size and placement. The color and composition of some drawings evoke the beauty of Maxfield Parrish, while other panels take their inspiration from film noir. Absolutely exquisite.
This is the graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's book of the same title. I read it because it was the only copy of the book I could get easily and it was worth it. It's a quick read, only partly because it's a short graphic novel. The real reason is because it's quite a page turner. The pictures, in addition to the language, draw you into the story and, unlike so many graphic novels, really do seem to come alive on the page. Even thinking about it now, it's like I was watching the book happen, not reading it.
The story is strong, and is about a little girl who moves with her parents into a new home. It reminded me, in the best way, of Spirited Away. Coraline finds a door that is supposed to open into a brick wall, but instead leads show more her to another world. She must battle an evil woman trying to be her mother, in order to free her family and friends. Gaiman's writing, as usual, is terrific and the drawings are wonderful. I cannot wait to see the movie and read the actual novella, of course. show less
The story is strong, and is about a little girl who moves with her parents into a new home. It reminded me, in the best way, of Spirited Away. Coraline finds a door that is supposed to open into a brick wall, but instead leads show more her to another world. She must battle an evil woman trying to be her mother, in order to free her family and friends. Gaiman's writing, as usual, is terrific and the drawings are wonderful. I cannot wait to see the movie and read the actual novella, of course. show less
Coraline is just top tier children's horror. Gaiman completely trusts the reader to be brave and push through like the protagonist. My daughter has loved this story since she was 4 and fighting her own monster (cancer). Her introduction was through the movie of course, so getting to read a slightly different plot was a lot of fun. The book is even spookier than the movie! I'm not to five stars on this just because the art style could have been so much better, it's very blank slate, imagine yourself as this bland every-girl girl. I love blue haired movie Coraline best.
I loved Gaiman's story when I first read it. It managed to be heartwarming, funny, and give me the wiggins all at the same time. I would never have believed that an artist's rendition of the button-eyed Other Mother could be more unsettling than the picture in my imagination, but I was oh so wrong. Russell has done a mighty-fine job adapting Gaiman's prose into an illustrated format.
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ThingScore 75
Coraline is an explorer and you get that in first few pages of the novel.Coraline and his parents moved into a big new house.Miss Spink andMiss Forcible lived in flat below Coraline’s.And in flat above lived an old crazy man who was training a Mouse Circus.
There were 21 windows and 14 doors in the house.But one mysterious door at the end of the drawing room opened into a wall.It was meant to show more separate apartments in the house.
One night Coraline woke up when something went Tik-tik-tik-tik.On following a black figure she opened the door that lead to wall.Surprisingly the wall was replaced by darkness.Next day she walks her way in darkness only to find a house similar to her house. She finds her other parents who look similar to her parents but only their eyes being replaced by black buttons.Coraline finds this house better than hers.Her other parents ask her to stay with them but she refused to do so and went back only to find that her parents were in the mirror.
Coraline has to be brave and get her parents back.She has a talking black cat and three ghost children for help.Also she has tiny china duck, a thimble, a strange little brass coin, two paper clips and a stone with a hole in it for rescue.
After reading thoughts
Neil Gaiman says it is a creepy book for adults and adventure for children.And reading the book just makes the statement true.
Coraline comes as a very strong character in choosing between have’s and want’s.And you will want to keep turning the pages to figure out what does she do next.The way she finds her parents is interesting and something that will intrigue you.
All the character’s on the other side of the wall are creepy and Neil Gaiman justifies their role in the book.
The graphics do justify the story.I liked the way the other side of wall is drawn and represented.You ll find the colours changing from pleasant to dark and then again to pleasant as the story progresses.
Things I Like
Caroline
Miss Spink andMiss Forcible and their younger versions in the other side of house.And also their ability to read fortune from tea leaves.
Talking cat and talking dogs
Black buttons
Three ghost children
And ohh yes did i forget to mention a HAND in the summary.I leave it on readers to find it out.
Coraline is often confused between children fiction and Young Adults.But it has been nominated for YA awards.As far as children are concerned, I leave it on their parents to decide whats best for them. show less
There were 21 windows and 14 doors in the house.But one mysterious door at the end of the drawing room opened into a wall.It was meant to show more separate apartments in the house.
One night Coraline woke up when something went Tik-tik-tik-tik.On following a black figure she opened the door that lead to wall.Surprisingly the wall was replaced by darkness.Next day she walks her way in darkness only to find a house similar to her house. She finds her other parents who look similar to her parents but only their eyes being replaced by black buttons.Coraline finds this house better than hers.Her other parents ask her to stay with them but she refused to do so and went back only to find that her parents were in the mirror.
Coraline has to be brave and get her parents back.She has a talking black cat and three ghost children for help.Also she has tiny china duck, a thimble, a strange little brass coin, two paper clips and a stone with a hole in it for rescue.
After reading thoughts
Neil Gaiman says it is a creepy book for adults and adventure for children.And reading the book just makes the statement true.
Coraline comes as a very strong character in choosing between have’s and want’s.And you will want to keep turning the pages to figure out what does she do next.The way she finds her parents is interesting and something that will intrigue you.
All the character’s on the other side of the wall are creepy and Neil Gaiman justifies their role in the book.
The graphics do justify the story.I liked the way the other side of wall is drawn and represented.You ll find the colours changing from pleasant to dark and then again to pleasant as the story progresses.
Things I Like
Caroline
Miss Spink andMiss Forcible and their younger versions in the other side of house.And also their ability to read fortune from tea leaves.
Talking cat and talking dogs
Black buttons
Three ghost children
And ohh yes did i forget to mention a HAND in the summary.I leave it on readers to find it out.
Coraline is often confused between children fiction and Young Adults.But it has been nominated for YA awards.As far as children are concerned, I leave it on their parents to decide whats best for them. show less
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Author Information
844+ Works 448,359 Members
Neil Gaiman was born in Portchester, England on November 10, 1960. He worked as a journalist and freelance writer for a time, before deciding to try his hand at comic books. Some of his work has appeared in publications such as Time Out, The Sunday Times, Punch, and The Observer. His first comic endeavor was the graphic novel series The Sandman. show more The series has won every major industry award including nine Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, three Harvey Awards, and the 1991 World Fantasy Award for best short story, making it the first comic ever to win a literary award. He writes both children and adult books. His adult books include The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which won a British National Book Awards, and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel for 2014; Stardust, which won the Mythopoeic Award as best novel for adults in 1999; American Gods, which won the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX, and Locus awards; Anansi Boys; Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances; and The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction, which is a New York Times Bestseller. His children's books include The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish; Coraline, which won the Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla, the BSFA, the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Bram Stoker awards; The Wolves in the Walls; Odd and the Frost Giants; The Graveyard Book, which won the Newbery Award in 2009 and The Sandman: Overture which won the 2016 Hugo Awards Best Graphic Story. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Coraline: The Graphic Novel
- Original title
- Coraline: The Graphic Novel
- Original publication date
- 2009-05
- People/Characters
- Coraline Jones; Miss Spink; Miss Forcible; Mr. Bobo; The Bedlam; Mr. Jones (show all 7); Mrs. Jones
- Dedication
- I started this for Holly
I finished it for Maddy -N.G.
To Allison, Sloane, and Ivy -P.C.R. - First words
- Coraline discovered the door a little after they moved into the house.
- Quotations
- We could be rare specimens of an exotic breed of African dancing elephants. But we're not. At least...I'm not.
Calling cats is an overrated activity. Might as well call a whirlwind. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)As the first stars came out, Coraline finally allowed herself to drift into sleep while the gentle upstairs music of the mouse circus spilled out onto the warm evening air, telling the world that the summer was almost done.
- Blurbers
- Pullman, Philip; Pratchett, Terry
- Disambiguation notice
- This is a graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel Coraline. Please do not combine Coraline with the graphic novel adaptation Coraline.
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- Genres
- Graphic Novels & Comics, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5973 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing and drawings Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips History, geographic treatment, biography North American United States (General)
- LCC
- PZ7.7 .R87 .C — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
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