The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel

#1 New York Times Bestseller

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, a haunting novel that explores the awesome power of memory, friendship, and sacrifice―one of ten classic Gaiman works repackaged with elegant original watercolor art by acclaimed artist Henry Sene Yee

"A novel about the truths—some wonderful, some terrible—that children know and adults do not.” —Time Magazine

Returning to his childhood home to attend a funeral, a middle-aged man is drawn back to a place once alive with monsters and magic; to a past where the impossible is all too frighteningly real . . .

A haunting meditation on memory, wonder, friendship, and sacrifice, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which was named “Book of the Year” by the UK National Book Awards, is a groundbreaking triumph of storytelling as delicate as a butterfly’s wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark.

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192 pages

Average rating: 7.35

468 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Talleygirl
Mar 07, 2025
6/10 stars
What a weird book. Well written and highly imaginative. Shared memories, fantastical creatures, friendship and sacrifice.
Anonymous
Jan 11, 2025
6/10 stars
this has such good reviews. did i miss something big? this reminded me of a wrinkle in time, but i liked that book more. i read that this was originally a short story. i think i would’ve enjoyed that more because i enjoyed parts and themes of the book but somehow it just didn’t come together for me
Lisa P
Jan 10, 2025
8/10 stars
This was my first NG book and I didn't know what to expect, not knowing ahead of time that he's also the author of Coraline, one of my most favorite movies.

The tone/language of the book is hauntingly beautiful, like a dream... or a song. Without giving away much of the story, it weaves the reality of childhood/family trauma and coming to terms with that as an adult, with fantasy and creatures and magic. Loved this line from NPR's review of the book: "This is a novel that manages to balance frenetic action with wistful self-knowledge — never missing a beat."
MidnightCharcuterie
Nov 27, 2024
5.0
Jessstellareads
Oct 28, 2024
10/10 stars
My absolute favourite book, I've read it cover to cover many times. Couldn't recommend this book enough.

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