Coraline is a book about fear and bravery; of discontent and comfort. A book that, regardless of age, the reader will benefit from. It is a particularly good read for children and preteens who may identify with Coraline, but it should by no means be simply relegated off to the young adult section. Coraline and her family move into a new home, although Coraline quickly becomes bored. Her neighbours are strange and elderly, except for the cat she finds wandering the garden. As she explores her new home, she comes upon a door — a door leading into a parallel world where everything is far more interesting, her parents far more affectionate and talented. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and as the saccharine sweetness fades, Coraline finds herself in a dangerous world, playing dangerous games.
““Because,’ she said, ‘when you’re scared but you still do it anyway, that’s brave.” ”
EMBRACING FEAR AND FOLLOW-THROUGH (SPOILERS AHEAD)
It’s common advice to read the book, then watch the movie. I much prefer to flip that on its head. Watching the movie, then reading the book, allows me to enter a vastly richer world that I’ve already whet my appetite for. Coraline was such an experience. I watched the movie first, then listened to Neil Gaiman speak about writing it, then picked up the graphic novel (admittedly, without knowing it was a graphic novel until it arrived). Immersing myself in the story this way allowed me to enjoy it each time instead of feel disappointed by the careful winnowing down from written media to visual.
There are several times during my childhood where I had to learn Coraline’s message of bravery. I would have loved having this book to hold onto during the years of bullying I underwent. There were days I was equally afraid of passing through a doorway — only mine simply led to school, not to the Other Mother. Coraline, the character, has a strength and calm that reassures the reader that life will go on. Coraline’s life doesn’t become perfect or better after she defeats the Other Mother. It simply puts her home life into perspective. That there is magic to be found in her own world, if she looks hard enough. That there are friends among the strange neighbours, if she looks. Coraline shows the importance of not always getting what you want.
Coraline also showcases the importance of following through. She could have easily abandoned the other children. She could have abandoned her parents after her escape. But her bravery comes through again and again. Being brave through only half of the ordeal isn’t enough. Playing it safe isn’t always an option, even if sometimes it appears to be. Coraline showcases the importance of responsibility. It is a beautifully written story, with a personal anecdote from Gaiman woven into the story. Despite being extremely creepy, and for some children downright terrifying, I wholeheartedly believe it should be added to most kid’s reading curriculum. After all:
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
4/5 stars
-L.J
