A Review of Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"

A Review of Neil Gaiman's

 "The Ocean at the End of the Lane"

by Jean Woest

            There are few living authors that have such a long lists of accolades or such a fierce fan presence as Neil Gaiman. Present in every imaginable medium (novel, graphic novel, film, television, picture books, children's books, young adult books, literary novels, short story, and video game) Gaiman has left an indelible mark on literature already.

            And then he decided to write a short story-- that became a novel-- called "The Ocean at the End of the Lane".

            It's not a very thick book. It can be read through in a few hours, though it calls for-- almost demands-- a closer, more paced reading. Because in that small space is contained not only the real, visceral and fragile presence of childhood, but also the echoes of the after effects of trauma and the questions this raises around memory.

            At face value it is the story of a memory. A memory that has been lost and is then regained. A memory of childhood horrors, of broken promises, and of magic. It is the memory of a child. Told by a man. And this is very important.

            Children see more than adults see, and so recall things that adults never remember. But at the same time, adults have records that stand under the support of witnesses and receipts, records of things that disprove childhood memories. There is real tension here. And there is so much at stake. This is the crux-- the tensions-- that Gaiman plays with.

            Some authors would chose a side and argue for it, build straw man opponents and knock them down. Others would show both sides equally, leaving their readers floating listlessly at the end in an unending moral vacuum. Gaiman somehow manages to do neither, and that is precisely the thing that causes this reviewer to keep rereading the work, to try and figure out how exactly an author can refuse to take a side, and yet still leave his readers grounded firmly in the belief that the good won, or rather, that the good endured the trials. Or rather, that there is still good in the world, even if we cannot recall it's presence. It's echoes rebound through our daily lives, without a second thought to the shout that started them.

            On top of this vastly unhelpful and abstract note on the theme, Gaiman also weaves a wonderful tale with stunning imagery, beautiful characterization, and the very visceral feel that the reader is being pushed back forcefully into 1969 Sussex. It has the texture of a time capsule, with the magic of a fairy tale, and the optimism of a Shakespearian comedy.

            There are many books calling for attention at this time of the year. But Ocean is one of the ones that deserve that attention. It is a quick read if you're willing to read it only once. But no one reads it just once. To do so would defeat the purpose of the story. The purpose, to remember.

You can buy The Ocean at the End of the Lane HERE

Or other works by Neil Gaiman HERE

Also, here's the link to Neil Gaiman's Twitter and his Blog

Book Review: Dave Egger's "A Hologram for the King"

The first thing every reviewer of this book will mention is if you haven't got a hardback copy in hand yet, then go do so! It's cover goes beyond pretty somewhere past the realm of fancy and deep into the dark interiors of decadence. This book's cover is what we bibliofiles have unmentionable dreams about. Thick and soft with deep etched letters and intricate carvings that all gleam with a dull faded gold. You see what I mean...

As for the book itself the title pretty much sums up the concept. The main character, Alan Clay, is in Saudi Arabia to present a demonstration of an American hologram software to the King. Pretty simple, right? Wrong! Dave Eggers could care less about the trite plot line and instead immerses you inside the mind of a man who has to come to terms with that fact that he's lost his steam and can't keep up anymore.

His character is in no way meant to be "Everyman". Alan Clay is optimistic but worn down. Alan Clay is trying as hard as he can but not going anywhere. Alan Clay is persistent and keeps trying to write that letter to his daughter. Alan Clay might have cancer, but he'll just cut the growth off his spine with a serrated hotel knife instead.

And yet, Egger's beautiful ability as a writer comes forward when this character remains intriguing and approachable. Maybe everyone can't relate to Alan Clay, but everyone can get to know him. By the end it's like parting with an old friend. The supporting characters are a bit distant and foreign, but only in the sense that Alan perceives them as such, be that because they are Muslim or because they are Dutch, or because they are women.

 The plot may feel like it's spinning its wheels but not going anywhere either. But it does move around a bit, without really accomplishing anything. And in many ways that's the picture not just of the American in the Saudi desert but the image of America in a world starting to pass it by. An America that still tries so hard, but is slowly losing touch with what it once had.

Eggers however does attempt to leave the reader on a lighter note. Instead of addressing the implications and consequences of Alan Clay's meeting with the King, and the deeper implications of Alan standing for America as well., the ending dissolves into sensory bath of underwater skin, desert light, and the love making that could have been between old bodies. But maybe that would be his vision for America. That the country stop trying to keep up. And start remembering how to really live life.

Or maybe he just wrote a story. A damn good story.