Coraline

Summary

"Coraline" is the story of a girl named Coraline Jones who moves with her parents into an old house divided into apartments. While exploring her new home, Coraline discovers a locked door leading to a parallel world where her "other" parents live, who have buttons for eyes and shower her with excessive attention. At first glance, this world seems better—more attention, delicious food, and interesting activities. However, Coraline soon realizes that her "other" family harbors sinister intentions and wants to keep her there forever. The girl must show courage and resourcefulness to save herself and other children whose souls are trapped in this world. Coraline battles the "Other Mother" and her helpers, determined to return to her own world and free the souls of the captive children.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of themes of growing up and self-identity through the adventures of a young character
• Contrast between the real world and the world of fantasy, exploring their interconnection
• Understanding the significance of family and home, and the importance of their safety
• Representation of fear and bravery in the context of a child's perception, learning to overcome challenges
• Exploration of the theme of choice and its consequences, the importance of decision-making
• Reflections on the meaning and value of freedom, autonomy, and independence

Main Characters and Their Development

• Coraline Jones - a young explorer who moves into an old house and discovers a secret passage to a parallel world where everything seems perfect at first glance. Throughout her adventures, Coraline shows bravery, cleverness, and wit to save her parents and neighbors from the sinister Other Mother, and comes to appreciate the importance of family and what she has.
• The Other Mother - a sinister entity in the parallel world who tries to convince Coraline to stay with her by promising an ideal life. She displays her manipulative nature and desire for control over Coraline and other characters, but ultimately loses due to Coraline's courage and ingenuity.
• The Other Father - a creation of the Other Mother, attempting to play the role of a father for Coraline in the parallel world. The character gradually becomes aware of his servitude and assists Coraline by providing information to defeat the Other Mother.
• Miss Spink and Miss Forcible - two elderly actresses living in Coraline's house. In the real world, they offer Coraline advice and predictions that help her in her adventures, while their alter-egos in the parallel world are subservient to the Other Mother.
• Mr. Bobinsky - an eccentric mouse trainer living above Coraline's apartment. He gives the girl important clues and feels a connection to the parallel world through his mice. In the parallel world, his alter-ego acts as a messenger for the Other Mother, yet shows sympathy towards Coraline.

Structure and Organization

"Coraline" is a novel written by Neil Gaiman. The story revolves around a young girl named Coraline who moves into a new house. While exploring it, she finds a locked door leading to a parallel world where everything seems better than her real life. However, she soon discovers the dark side of this world. The book is divided into thirteen chapters, narrated in the third person, with a focus on the adventures and challenges faced by the main character. In addition to the text, the book is adorned with illustrations that help immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the story.

Main Themes and Ideas

• Exploration of themes of growing up and self-discovery through the adventures of the main character
• Contrast between the real world and the world of illusions, where desires seem fulfilled
• Reflections on the significance of family and the comfort of home
• Critique of consumerism and the desire to possess more than one has
• Use of the motif of parallel worlds to explore deep-seated fears and desires
• Awakening of childlike curiosity and the pursuit of adventure as opposed to the routine of everyday life
• Understanding the value of true friendships and support

Interesting Facts

• Coraline was written for Neil Gaiman's daughter, Holly, who loved scary stories.
• The book was initially conceived as a short story but evolved into a full-length novel during the writing process.
• The character Coraline got her name due to a typo: Gaiman accidentally wrote "Coraline" instead of "Caroline" and decided to keep it.
• The book has won numerous awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Novella and the Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers.
• Coraline's story was adapted into an animated film released in 2009, which received an Oscar nomination.
• The book contains many references to classic fairy tales and myths, making it interesting for readers of all ages.
• Neil Gaiman drew on elements from his own childhood fears when creating the book's atmosphere.

Book Review

Neil Gaiman's "Coraline" is a captivating and dark fairy tale that enchants readers of all ages. Critics praise Gaiman's skill in creating an atmosphere of horror and mystery that permeates the entire plot. The main character, Coraline, is portrayed as a brave and determined girl, ready to face her fears and save her loved ones. The book stands out for its originality and deep symbolic layers, making it intriguing for both children and adults. Dave McKean's illustrations have also been highly praised for enhancing the story's dark and mysterious atmosphere. Overall, "Coraline" is considered one of Gaiman's best works, showcasing his talent in the dark fantasy genre.