Coraline has just moved to a new house, and after acquainting herself with the neighbours, she sets about to 'explore' the place, for, you see, she is a self-acclaimed "explorer". She finds the well she's been warned to stay away from, just to know what to stay away from, and spends as much time outdoors as possible.
However, one rainy day, she stumbles upon a door in the living room, which opens only to greet her with a brick wall. And apparently, nothing on the other side - or so Coraline's mother tells her.
However, surprise, surprise! One fine day, the brick wall disappears and Coraline finds herself in a parallel world, where the "flat" seems to be an exact replica of her flat - including Mother and Father, or the "other mother" and the "other father" - who look similar to Coraline's parents but...
Coraline went into the kitchen, where the voice had come from. A woman stood in the kitchen with her back to Coraline. She looked a little like Coraline's mother. Only...
Only her skin was white as paper.
Only she was taller and thinner.
Only her fingers were too long, and they never stopped moving, and her dark-red fingernails were curved and sharp.
"Coraline?" the woman said. "Is that you?"
And then she turned around. Her eyes were big black buttons.
Her "other" parents don't want much - they just want an obedient daughter to stay with them, and love them.... and when Coraline's ready to commit to that, they can sew the buttons on to her eyes as well! Creepy...
I loved this book, for its simplicity, innocence, and of course, the feel-good factor. It's a children's books, but the story is enjoyable for most people, and while there are bits and bobs which are predictable, one has to keep in mind the audience the book is meant to cater to. You have talking cats, spying rats, an unassuming heroine, and some great characters.
I haven't seen the movie, yet, but I do want to... might have to rent it on DVD or something.
This was my first book by Neil Gaiman, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of his works.
Rating: 4