| Title | : | Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell 3-Book Box Set: Coraline; The Graveyard Book; Fortunately, the Milk |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0062379828 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780062379825 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 512 |
| Publication | : | First published September 8, 2015 |
The editions of Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and Fortunately, the Milk in this box set contain the illustrations from the British editions, which are both hilarious and moving. Acclaimed artist Chris Riddell has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice, among other awards and honors.
These paperbacks have never before been published in the United States and are available here only in this special box set.
Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell 3-Book Box Set: Coraline; The Graveyard Book; Fortunately, the Milk Reviews
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Obviously this collection is a great buy. It has three very different yet awesome stories, and some very gorgeous illustrations by Chris Riddle. I'm thrilled to own a copy.
I even wrote a more detailed review about the stories in it, but now, two months later, it's disappeared. That should teach me to backup reviews, but in this case I spent quite some time writing and it was all for nothing.
Instead I should have found a book to read.
But, never mind that.. The collection is great. And one I'll definitely be revisiting over and over again. -
Illustrations can make or break a book's experience -- good ones will enhance the book's atmosphere, and bad ones will wreck your ability to envision what the author describes.
Fortunately, Neil Gaiman has connected with some great illustrators over the years. And one of the illustrators who best works with Gaiman is Chris Riddell, who has illustrated the three books in this collection: the whimsical "Fortunately the Milk," eerie children's horror story "Coraline," and the elegant, gothic "The Graveyard Book" (which won the Newbury Award). All three books are enchanting on their own, and Riddell's illustrations perfectly fit Gaiman's eerie, eccentric writing style.
"Fortunately the Milk" skews the youngest of the three stories (despite some jokes clearly intended for the grown-ups), and is possibly the most exciting story about buying milk since... ever. It's also the one in which Riddell's illustrations shine the most, since the whimsical, oddball story lends itself well to the charmingly exaggerated black-and-white pictures.
In the story, a family has run out of milk. The mother is away at a conference, and the kids are unable to eat their Toastios... and when the dad comes back, he doesn't have milk. Why? The answer is an increasingly convoluted tale of abduction by globby green aliens, the Queen of the Pirates, piranhas, the time-trabeling Professor Steg’s Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier, the barbaric followers of Splod, ponies, vampires, the Galactic Police, and countless other obstacles that threaten to keep him from getting home with the milk.
"Coraline" follows a girl who has recently moved into a dull new apartment, with parents who ignore her and neighbors who are either insane or boring. It's the sort of relentlessly dull world that any little girl would want to escape from -- until Coraline does. She encounters a formerly bricked-up door that leads into an apartment in another world, which looks eerily like her own. In fact, it's so similar that she has a taloned, button-eyed "other mother" and matching "other father," as well as a chorus of singing, dancing rats and magical toys. But soon she discovers the horrors that lurk in this Other world, and what will happen if she can't defeat the Other Mother.
In "The Graveyard Book," Nobody Owens' family was murdered by a mysterious assassin -- but he was spared because he wandered down into the graveyard. The mysterious Silas (the only one who can leave the graveyard) takes charge of the baby, and he is raised by the ghosts who dwell there. In the years that follow, Bod has many terrifying and wondrous adventures -- involving a witch's ghost, the Sleer, ghouls, dancing the Macabray, and his eccentric teacher Miss Lupesceau. But the man who murdered his family is still after Bod, as well as the only human friend he's ever had.
The "Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell 3-Book Box Set" shows off the full range of Gaiman's writing ability -- a wacky, whimsical story about the ultimate tall tale, a delicately poetic urban-gothic, and a cobwebby, skin-crawling horror story. He has the knack for incorporating the whimsical and fantastical (even if it's obviously a lie, like in "Fortunately the Milk") into the ordinary world, and making it totally believable that an ordinary apartment building could lead to a place of eldritch horrors.
His wordcraft is absolutely exquisite, whether it's being silly ("How does a volcano know so much about transtemporal meta-science?”) or injecting poetry into horror ("A husk you'll be, a wisp you'll be, and a thing no more than a dream on waking, or a memory of something forgotten"). He also comes up with some truly charming characters, from the erudite volcano god to the sternly paternal vampire Silas, from the sensible Coraline to the earnest Bod. And of course, the time-tripping dad (who looks oddly like Gaiman himself).
And Chris Riddell's illustrations are a delicate but definite enhancement to the stories. His black-and-white drawings are mostly lifelike, but slightly exaggerated (giant pirate hats, thuggy-looking faces) with lots of long lanky limbs, trailing cloth and pointed faces. And there are subtle differences in each book, depending on what the theme is -- "Fortunately, The Milk" is sillier-looking (it has a stegosaurus in a lab coat!), while "Graveyard Book" is delicate and haunting.
The "Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell 3-Book Set" is a good exploration of both men's considerable talents. Gaiman's exquisite writing and Riddell's delicate pictures complement each other perfectly, and any bibliophile child will adore these stories. -
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All three of the books in this collection were excellent!
Fortunately, the Milk: was a truly enjoyable read. Definitely a fun book to read to kids, though I read it for myself and still had a great time.
Coraline: was excellent! Much better than the movie, which I saw with my son when it was originally in the theaters. Interesting story, and fantastic writing. It was easy to get into this world and enjoy some evenings with these characters.
The Graveyard Book: is now in the Top 10 of my favorite books of all-time! A fantastic concept; and masterfully written by Neil Gaiman. I couldn't help but fall in love with several of the characters in this book. Especially Nobody Owens and Liza Hempstock. And, of course, Scarlett. Highly recommend this book!!! -
coraline was in a different world and she tried finding her parents
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only read coraline tho
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Fortunately, the milk
"After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world" (P. Pullman) and Fortunately, the milk is exactly the kind of book that reminds us of how stories are wonderful.
It's a children's book that you enjoy even when you're not a children anymore. For me it was impossible reading it without a big grin on my face and Chris Rhiddell's illustration are just perfect and make the story even more engrossing.
Reading this book it's an amazing journey; thanks Neil and thanks Chris!
The graveyard book
4* e 1/2
Coraline
4* -
I absolutely adore this box set which was gifted to me by a loved one.
Gaiman is among my favourite authors, ever since I first discovered his existence by reading "Good Omens".
Riddell's drawing style is "cute", creepy and uncomplicated at the same time, and enhances the beauty of the text without overshadowing it. Actually, only "Fortunately the Milk" is fully illustrated (meaning that the text is enclosed in the drawings). "Coraline" and "The Graveyard Book" only have several drawings each but they are sufficient as they are. -
Coraline - 4* - Wonderfully creepy story, but children might get nightmares.
The Graveyard Book - 5* - A dark, coming of age story. Very good. Vintage Gaiman.
Fortunately, the Milk - 4* - Only Neil Gaiman could make a hilarious, time travel tale about that one time Dad went out to get milk for his kid's breakfast, and got embroiled in a time travel loop. -
What fun and refreshing books! I loved all 3 of them!
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There are three books here. Coraline is a film already and I have watched it for God knows how many times. The Graveyard Book is a story I never wanted it to finish.. Or get over.. Brilliant!
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Such an amazing collection I now have another favorite author!
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Love Neil Gaiman. The Graveyard Book is a must-read!
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What a wonderful treat. It’s a story that speaks to my inner child, innocent and wildly imaginative. Loved it.
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Coraline…pure masterpiece;
Fortunately, the milk…great for kids but meh for me
The graveyard book…wtf…didn’t expect it to be this tragic somehow and having serious topics like that…absolutely loved it -
Three great books.
I absolutely loved "The Graveyard Book" and it has been one of my favorite reads. It was just brilliant and I fell in love with it. It swept me right up and the pages flew by. I can't wait to read it again, so much fun.
"Coraline" was also fantastic. I saw the movie first to be honest and thought it was fantastic. The book is a little darker and had my heart pumping. It goes without saying the book is better but it did make me appreciate the movie a little more.
"Fortunately the Milk" is short, fun, and cute. Neil Gaiman is definitely a gifted author. -
Review of Coraline:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review of Fortunately, the Milk:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review of The Graveyard Book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... -
All three are magnificent.
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Definitely re-read material! All three stories are gems :)
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This Box Set was given to me because I was interested in getting to know Neil Gaiman's books.
I did really enjoy reading every single one of the books - however, 'Coraline' was my favorite.
It's a quite dark story for a kids book and illustrated beautifully (as well as the other two) by Chris Riddell. I liked the lesson it taught about bravery, that - in my opinion - can be summarized perfectly by the following quote
'Because', she said, 'when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave.'
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I imagine 'Fortunately, the Milk' must be a great book to read together with younger children. I guess kids would like the hardcover edition of this book with the holografic covers a lot. I really can't say that I didn't like this book - but rating it is difficult for me since I am way older than the target audience.
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The book I read last is called 'The Graveyard Book', which is probably one of the most famous works of Neil Gaiman. I am digging the dark theme in these childrens books and 'The Graveyard Book' is no exception. It is a great story that contains tension, a little bit of action but also lovely scenes of family support and love. -
Neil has been one of my favorite authors for a while, but I had somehow never read any of these. I got this boxed set for my birthday from a friend who saw it on my wishlist. "Coraline" is great; I had seen the movie, but the book is better! "Fortunately, the Milk" is imaginative and has great illustrations. "The Graveyard Book" has some great bad guys, but is also very poignant; I cried a little. I would recommend these books to children* and adults of all ages.
*Of course, some of these books have darker themes, so it depends on the child. Children who don't like scary things should stick with "Fortunately, the Milk."
