by Katie,
From
the summaries I have read regarding this novel, we seem to be in for an
adventure in a fairy tale style. It also promises mystery. As we
read, let's keep an eye out for things not being as they appear.
One
reviewer for The Ocean at the End of the lane says, " reading it feels a
lot like diving into an extremely smart, morally ambiguous fairy tale."
Another reviewer says that this is a novel "for adults which children
can also read." Later she mentions how fairy tales were not written for
children.
Are we to believe then that our story follows true to fable
format in not being kid friendly?
Or will we find it child appropriate?
And where is the moral ambiguity the first reviewer mentioned?
I am very intrigued. I hope it is enjoyable
Hello ladies
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time of trying to post from Africa and am doing so very early for a number of reasons. There may be spoilers here, so I apologise in advance.
I read this twice, motivated by A.S. Byatt's suggestions that it would "satisfy the expectations of the skilled reader of fairy tales, and stories which draw on fairy tales", and would "provide a kind of resolution".
It was a simple enough story: invader repulsed with the aid of forces which demand their own reward. More complex than traditional fairy stories, though, as the author recognises life is indeed more complex than these suggest.
I had much sympathy with the idea that we are adults only in appearance, as thoughtless, careless and cruel as children but bigger. And, as we have discussed before, I empathise with Ginnie Hempstock's statement that two people do not recollect anything the same.
In the conversation at the end of the book, the author says this book is for adults, "for anyone who has ever been seven years old". Silly statement, but I can see what he means: I can't remember being seven years old. So perhaps the book is not meant for me. But given Gaiman's recollections of being seven years old, this may be no bad thing.
I appreciated the reaffirmation of how little we know about the world, Gaiman's imaginative use of everyday objects to create magic, to demonstrate the thin line between the known and the unknown. But the prologue and epilogue did not provide enough for me to recognise how much of the imaginative, fearful, brave boy was in the man. We're told he's growing a new heart, presumably over the ten years since his divorce, and it's suggested his subconscious memories of the Hempsteads help him to become less careless, thoughtless and cruel.
Is Gaiman reiterating "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man".
Whilst reading this book has made me think a lot, I can't say the story has provided the "kind of resolution" Byatt suggested it would. An insufficiency of imaginative insight perhaps? Not yet a skilled reader of fairy tales? Perhaps I should read it again.
Love to you both
Sue
Hello Ladies! I hope you're both well. Sue. I hope you are having a wonderful time on your trip! I hope you are staying safe though. I don't know how close you are to the Ebola outbreak. Very scary. As winter comes closer and closer to this side of the globe, I hope you are enjoying the coming of summer Nancy.
ReplyDeleteI’m afraid I read this novel more literally than a fairy tale is meant to be. I am, possibly incorrectly, under the belief that fairy tales are meant to teach lessons. Instead I was reading it like a child would: little boy goes on a magical adventure. But to try a bit harder for my review, I will try to discuss what I believe is the moral ambiguity another reviewer suggested was in this tale.
Maybe I fail to see a bigger picture but I am thinking that the ambiguity lies in Ursula Monkton “giving them what they want.” There is more to life than money. In addition there is a significant difference between what people want and what they need. While the narrator’s family wanted money, I feel that they needed love more. The mother is relatively absent, the father distracted, and the children are not close. Maybe one of the parents could have stayed at home in addition to renting out the room. The cost of hiring someone to watch your children is quite expensive. By being a stay at home parent, they could have saved some money and bonded a little more. (But as a working parent, I have little room to talk here. haha!)
I think that the ambiguity comes in whether you believe Ursula’s giving was good or bad. What does she get in return from giving people what they want? It was never very clear to me. Are we just to presume that the end results are bad? Or is it the dangerous way she gives her presents that is the problem? For example the one husband has a dream the wife is doing unsavory acts for money and then cash appears unexplainably in her purse. This we could assume leads to mistrust and possible divorce for this family. Is this what Ursula gets; discord? Are angst and strife what creatures like Ursula feed on? In which case, her giving would be a negative.
However if she gets nothing from it, then giving people what they want wouldn't necessarily be a negative. The people would believe themselves happy with their additional money. But this happiness would only be temporary. The additional wealth could breed greed which would lead to unhappiness and a greater desire for more money. This is where I believe the moral ambiguity lies. As I mentioned, there is a great difference between need and want. But like a parent who keeps a child from eating too much candy, I think the Hempstock women are present to keep mankind from getting more than what they need. To me, they are keepers of balance and order.
I honestly had higher expectations for this book. I thought I would completely love it. Unfortunately this is not the case. While it wasn't terrible, it didn't live up to the expectations that were built by the reviews I read. I hope it wasn't too bad for you both.
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteHome again. Went to a see an exhibition at the British Library: "Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination" whilst in London. Neil Gaiman featured. He defined what he thought was Gothic Literature - anything which could be represented in a picture of a large, dark house with a light in one room (preferably turreted) with one frightened person running away from it, carrying something precious. He believed bravery was being afraid but still doing the right thing. This should feature significantly in children's books so children know it is O.K. to be afraid. Gothic, he thinks, is wonderful.
So, I'm going to think of "The Ocean At The End of the Lane" as a children's book in the Gothic tradition with lots of possibilities for moral discussions for the right teacher to open up to the class.
I do agree with you, Katie. Gaiman is conveying a message that money is not what we want, even when we think it is the answer to our problems. The death which allows evil in to the community is entirely because of money. The Hempstocks live close to the earth, understanding and obtaining knowledge from both the natural and what to me is the unnatural. They eat "proper" food.
It's unfortunate Gaiman is communicating this idea at a time when it's a lifestyle few can now afford. The gap between rich and poor in this country has never been wider. The queue for allotments is enormous, gardens have been made into parking spaces and new houses have such tiny gardens there is little opportunity for self sufficiency - assuming one could afford the plants. Newspapers carry articles about what vegetables can be grown in confined spaces and how to look after them. You are encouraged to pick your dinner from your garden as you walk through it coming home from work. The reality is an epidemic of obesity because bad food is cheap and people work long hours
In the videos in the exhibition, Gaiman did seem a little "of the wall". But then, as we know, I'm a little too straitlaced myself.
I'm glad I read the book. He's clearly an important author and I knew nothing about him. And my understanding of the Gothic has increased widely. The exhibition had a whole section on Dracula, Nancy. You'd have loved it.
Holiday was absolutely wonderful. Between breathlessness over lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros seen on safaris (cheetahs in a sanctuary) and other more beautiful birds and animals: and emotion felt in museums telling the story of Africa and apartheid, I was exhausted.
We were in Southern Africa, Katie where, as far as we know, there is no Ebola. I didn't worry about it. There were cases nearer to me in the U.K. than there were in Africa. I might well have been safer there than at home. I was certainly more alive.
We only have three more books on our list. Should I recommend some more?
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteSorry for my late comments this month, time seems to fly by so quickly.
Sue, you’re amazing posting early while on holidays ! I feel I need some tips in time organization from you ! I am happy to hear your trip was wonderful and you enjoyed your time away. Hope all was well on your arrival back home.
You’re right Katie! The weather here is warming up nicely, time for the beach again Yay! Gracie is home on Saturday for her summer break so no doubt she will be keen to get in the water as am I.
Sue, I admire your dedication in reading our story this month twice! I’m not sure if I would have benefited from a second try. I began reading with no expectations as I knew very little of Neil Gaiman or his style and now have come to the conclusion I’m not really a fan, even though I am aware of the high regard in which he is held in literary circles.
I’m not sure what Gaiman really set out to achieve, I’m sure I missed many subtle messages and hidden meanings.
I felt what was actually written was a remodel of many other fairytales and creepy stories. So many cliched characters and events, evil babysitter turning into a raggedy monster having an an affair with the dad, the hungry birds felt like JK Rowling dementors when they first appeared, the Hempstocks with their mythical, virgin,mother ,old crone vibe and even the ocean sounded a little like the fabled nirvana where all things become perfect. After I thought about this for awhile a wondered if this is what Gaiman intended all along, for us to try and glean meaning,where there was none from a fairytale with all the bells and whistles.
What I have read of the author, he sounds a little out there, in his book readings he selects the spoilers in his stories to read out to his audience to gauge their reactions. He has said parts of this story are autobiographical, perhaps he is being a little self indulgent here and leading us all on a wild goose chase!
I am not sorry I have read this book it is great to go outside our comfort zones and really be challenged by an author and I found Gaiman has kept me guessing as to his true purpose for this story.
Sue, your comments on food availability are interesting. I am lucky enough to have a vege patch and also a knowledgeable gardener to tend it [Ivars]. I am also lucky enough to live in an area where local food is available from farmers markets and local suppliers, even so it can be very difficult and time consuming to continually forage and source this out. I can only imagine how difficult this would be in the city. We are made to feel so guilty for not doing enough to feed ourselves well, and media tends to idealise this back to basics perfect lifestyle, when in fact it is a hard grind and sometimes just not possible , so perhaps Neil Gaiman is commenting on media government policy and social pressures when he idealises the Hempstocks and their proper food.
love to you both,
Nancy
Good to hear you are home, Sue! How wonderful your trip sounds! Nancy, enjoy some summer for me! Sorry for my delay in responding. Time just seems to slip away.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting is it that self-sustainability and organic have become two major themes in all three of our societies? I thought the increasing demand in organic foods was just an American fad but it seems to be more global. I’m not saying that this is a fad that will come and go as so many other things do. But rather it’s a topic that is increasing in need as our species over populates the planet and our natural resources become stretched. I always find it so interesting to learn of common attitudes in our countries. Like the Hempstocks, my parents do a great deal of farming and canning foods. I suppose the Hempstocks would be proud of them. Unfortunately I am not graced with the green thumb Ivars and my parents have.
As for books, whatever you ladies would like to suggest is wonderful by me. I’m afraid it’s been some time since I’ve been in book store so I currently do not have any suggestions. Much love to both of you and your families!