Coraline

Coraline is a novel written by Neil Gaiman and isn't like other fairy tales. You have a girl going into another world and tempted by an evil witch, but there's so much more to Coraline. The novel was published in 2002, and I read the graphic novel based on the book.


Coraline book cover (2002)

Coraline, the title character, gets involved with this evil witch and then has to defend herself and her family from the consequences of her actions. The story includes two aging actresses, a cat who can move between worlds and a mouse circus. Need I say more :-).

A film based on the book was released in 2009 and used stop-motion 3D techniques. The film did change some things from the book, but brought Coraline's world to life with amazing effects. The colours and the music is brilliantly done and recreates Neil Gaiman's world perfectly (I thought so at least).

I love this kind of narrative - the off-beat, alternative fairy tale. Taking true and tested story stereotypes and turning them on their heads.