A full-cast audio edition of a perennial favorite - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which has sold over one million copies. Special content in this edition includes the story behind The Graveyard Book, written and performed by Neil Gaiman.

The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal (the only novel to ever win both awards), the Hugo Award for Best Novel, the Locus Award for Young Adult Book, and Audiobook of the Year. This full-cast audio edition is performed by Neil Gaiman, Derek Jacobi, Robert Madge, Clare Corbett, Miriam Margolyes, Andrew Scott, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Emilia Fox, Reece Shearsmith, Lenny Henry, Elizabeth Bennett, Allan Corduner, Sean Baker, Tim Dann, Adjoa Andoh, Jenny Gannon, Dan Weyman, and Daniel Brocklebank.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack - who has already killed Bod's family….

Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book by beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman is sure to enthrall listeners of all ages.

Listening Length

8 hours and 24 minutes
Author

Neil Gaiman
Narrator

Neil Gaiman, see all
Audible release date

September 30, 2014
Language

English
Publisher

HarperAudio
ASIN

B00LXHLS9Q
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	8 hours and 24 minutes
Author	Neil Gaiman
Narrator	Neil Gaiman, Derek Jacobi, Robert Madge, Clare Corbett, Miriam Margolyes, Andrew Scott, Julian Rhind-Tutt
Audible.com Release Date	September 30, 2014
Publisher	HarperAudio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B00LXHLS9Q
Best Sellers Rank	#57 in Teen & Young Adult Horror #68 in Teen & Young Adult Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

4,394 global ratings

5 star		79%
4 star		15%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Both the book and audiobook are excellent - one of my favorite children's stories

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 8, 2010

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I have read many children's stories, and I must say The Graveyard Book is one of my favorites. I had to read this for a class in grad school and after reading it, I think it is destined to be a classic in children's literature which is high praise indeed. The audiobook is an unabridged version, on seven discs, and runs a total of 7.5 hours. Interestingly, it is Gaiman himself that reads his own work, and delivers a compelling performance. In his reading, Gaiman is able to provide individual `voices' to each of his characters so as to render them distinct in the listener's mind. Being the author and the reader of his own work is to the advantage of the listener here as Gaiman reflects a deep understanding of the story and his characters. For example, one of the characters in the story is a girl named Scarlett who meets Bod when she is five, and then goes away to Scotland before returning ten years later. Gaiman actually reads her part with a hint of a Scottish brogue when she returns to Bod at fifteen which elevates the credibility factor of this audio production.

The sense of dread that runs through this story is credibly evoked through the nuances in Gaiman's tone of voice. Certain scenes are memorable, especially the chapter where Bod gets kidnapped by ghouls and is taken into the underworld where the ghouls live. Gaiman's reading evokes a high sense of tension and menace and leaves the reader in a state of eager anticipation as to what occurs next, and wondering if Bod makes it out in one piece. The pivotal setting for this story is the graveyard, and in both Gaiman's reading (and writing), the graveyard is not just a place of eternal rest for the long departed, but also a safe refuge and home for Bod, and a place of schooling where Bod learns his letters, reading, and also skills that prepare him to face his adversaries.

The theme is in essence a coming of age story which most adolescents will relate to. Bod is an endearing character because he is innocent yet is quickly schooled in the ways of the world, and finds himself having to grow up quite quickly given his special circumstances. Bod is also a character with much courage and sense of morality, and is a character that will inspire admiration and elicit empathy. His sense of alienation and feeling abandoned at certain points in the story will also strike a chord with many listeners/readers. This story not only holds appeal for children and young adults, but also adults since the theme of learning to let go is also portrayed here. The adults in Bod's life, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Owens, his guardian Silas, etc. all learn to let Bod go, knowing that his ultimate home is amongst the living.

The Graveyard Book is a blend of the supernatural and fantasy and is inhabited by not only ghosts and humans, but other supernatural creatures such as a werewolf, ancient entities, ghouls, a witch-ghost, and also alludes to the presence of a vampire. The story flows well despite the introduction of all these different entities, and makes this an engaging and interesting story.

4 people found this helpful

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Jeremy Rodden, Author

A masterful darker spin on Kipling's Jungle Book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 30, 2017

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Why I Think Boys May Enjoy This

Any book that opens with the murder of three people is sure to entice any reader who is into things a little macabre. The Graveyard Book is no exception to this concept. For that matter, anyone familiar with some of Gaiman’s other works for younger audiences (Coraline, Stardust) shouldn’t be surprised at the darker material contained within.

An interesting connection that I didn’t make until I was listening to the author himself read an essay he wrote as a backmatter piece for the audiobook version I listened to is that, at its core, The Graveyard Book is a reimagining of Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Only instead of being raised by wild animals, our protagonist is raised by the denizens of a graveyard, his adoptive parents being ghosts (instead of wolves) and his main instructor/guardian being a vampire (instead of a panther).

Even though the concept is borrowed from a previous work, the result is a completely unique story. One of the things that I loved the most was how Gaiman was able to get into Bod’s mind and motivations at various stages in live, ranging from infant to teenager. It truly felt as though we were able to get into his head and learn and grow along with Bod. Part of the reason this worked so well was that each chapter felt like a closed unique short story in and of itself. As each chapter/story is told at a different age for Bod, it really felt like the story was written more in an episodic nature, with an overarching storyline threading them together but a complete story within each chapter.

I really want to know more about Silas and Miss Lupesco and the Honor Guard that is only touched upon throughout the story. I could imagine a wonderful Gaimain-penned version of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen starring these characters (or, hey, maybe Gaiman should run Universal’s new attempt at a Monster Universe series of films [one could hope]). Either way, I loved every aspect of this book and really hope Gaiman has more in the tank for this world in the future.

Content/Appropriateness

Well, the book literally starts with a triple murder. That being said, the dark nature of the book as set from the beginning is tempered repeatedly by the innocence of Bod learning of all the supernatural aspects of the graveyard and its inhabitants through the eyes of a growing child.

As I said above, Gaiman is known for “darker” material even with his books for young audiences. There are no bad words (only alluded to), extreme gore (again, death is an obvious common thread but not extreme violence), or sexual concerns at all. It’s all-ages appropriate within the context of the necessarily macabre nature of the setting and its characters.

Rating

5/5 Giant Cartoon Mallets from Toonopolis, The Blog's Books For Boys Review

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

PHanson

memorable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 7, 2018

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I recommend this story to anyone, whatever their age. If you're a child of the jackanory era, or of john hurt's storyteller, or if your mum read jack the giant killer to you with relish when you were very small and you really enjoyed the bit where he tricked the vicious ogre into committing harikiri, you'll devour this book. It's not a simple tale and it's not sunny, but it is memorable and very engaging. Nor is it perfect, few things are. I wanted a bit more clarity about the 'whys'. Nonetheless, this is a good one.

14 people found this helpful

Noor A Jahangir

The Jungle Book if it were set in a Graveyard

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 3, 2014

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Bod Owens is a normal boy, except for the fact that he has been raised by ghosts and a vampire and lives in a graveyard.
An assassin of legendary reputation has been given a simple job or wiping out the Dorian family. He kills Mum and Dad, easily enough, and the little girl tucked in her bed with her teddy too. But somehow baby Dorian has escaped from his cot, slid downstairs using his nappy to cushion his bottom and slipped out of the front door that Jack neglected to close behind himself. But Jack soon picks up his trail that leads him up a hill to a grave-yard so old that its become a nature-reserve. But at the graveyard the baby’s trail disappears. This is the first-time that he has failed to complete a job and Jack is avowed that he will one day finish what he has started. The baby, however, has not disappeared. At the bequest of his dead mother, the graveyard’s ghosts have agreed to give the baby the freedom of the graveyard, to be raised by Mr and Mrs Owen (who hadn’t had children during their lives) and with Silas (the vampire) to be his godfather and bring him food. Bod grows up to learn everything that the ghosts of his graveyard can teach him, including a number of supernatural powers, like turning invisible and walking through walls. He’s going to need all of his abilities soon, because Jack is still outside somewhere looking for him.
The book follows Bod in the latter half of his childhood, though his misadventures and lessons in life (and death) from the odd denizens of the graveyard. Despite his strange upbringing and postcode, Bod comes across as a normal boy, curious about the world around him (and beneath him), bored off lessons and somewhat lonely. His friends consist of a long dead, but still young at heart and in appearance, witch and a living girl called Scarlett who has to move away after visiting an ancient tomb beneath hill. This being a Neil Gaiman book, we are also treated to a whole panoply of quirky characters, including the ghosts of the graveyard, ranging from Roman Britain up to the Victorian period, Silas, the velvet wearing vampire, and a bunch of ghouls (notable mentions, the Bishop of Bath and the Duke of Wellington). It is the vast supporting cast that really make this book so enjoyable and worth reading.
The main setting of the story is the graveyard itself, with its little chapel, Egyptian walkway, a ghoul gate and its unhallowed ground. Really, the graveyard is as much a character in the book as its stuffy and mortified residents, to the point that through reading the book, the graveyard will become as familiar a place to you as it is to Bod, and you will be able to sense its moods too. There are a few brief detours during the course of the book to a secondary school, Scarlett’s house, the Dorian house, the ghouls’ world and Africa too.
This book is pitched by the publisher as a children’s novel/YA, but the opening is rather chilling and serious. Despite the intended audience, Gaiman writes as flawlessly as ever, never condescending in tone or style, and that will no doubt be a huge factor in the longevity and universal appeal of this book. Its definitely made favorite books list and is amongst Gaiman’s best.

25 people found this helpful

Shaun H

Let's all dance the dance Macabray

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 17, 2011

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Nobody "Bod" Owens, was 18 months old when the man Jack murdered his family. Wandering out of the open door and subsequently finding himself in an ancient graveyard, Bod is rescued by the creatures that live there. Subsequently adopted by the residents of the graveyard, Bod grows up in a different world to that inhabited by the living. The man Jack though has unfinished business with Bod!

This book is beautifully written modern reinterpretation of The Jungle Book, only with ghosts! The story is both gripping and deeply poignant with several twists and turns along the way. The inhabitants of the graveyard are brilliantly created. Liza Hempstock, who was in her own words "drownded and burned" after being accused of being a witch; the mysterious Silas who is not really dead, but equally isn't totally alive; Nehemiah Trot, an unsuccessful poet; The Lady on the Grey horse who leads the dance Macabray, and many others who made me laugh and smile and who add their own little story to this darkly funny gothic tale.

Presentation on the Kindle is pretty much perfect with the great illustrations by Chris Riddell looking superb on the Kindle and on my PC.

Overall: 5 stars - Although this story won the Newbery medal for American Children's literature (qualifying as Neil Gaiman is now resident in the USA) it is in my opinion a very British tale. Beautifully told and plotted, I found myself totally captivated by the night-time world Neil Gaiman creates.

5 people found this helpful

lars

What an amazing book to get completely absorbed in

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 5, 2015

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I can honestly say I haven't gotten this into a book for many years, and this has been a truly brilliant read. Gaiman does a fantastic job of going into just enough detail so that you can still use your imagination to fill in the rest. It tackles many issues you face in life making you fall in love with it and especially the character of Bod and Silas. I will no doubt be reading it again shortly and recommend this book to everyone, I have already been raving about it to my family for them to read so they can appreciate how much I now love this book. If you want something page Turner to reignite your passion for reading or imagination (or simply looking for the next book to read) get this!

4 people found this helpful

S.Grundy

Beautifully dark and oozing with imagination

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 22, 2012

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The man, Jack, is a professional killer with an expert sense of smell, and he's on the trail of a toddler, who unlike the rest of his family has evaded the fatal edge of Jack's blade! Vulnerable and alone, the toddler is discovered by the Owens, a pair of happily married ghosts, who reside in the local graveyard. As it is agreed by paranormal council that 'the dead must have charity,' they agree to take the boy in and raise him as if he was their own.

Safe from the murderous Jack for now, Nobody 'Bod' Owens grows up amongst a cavalcade of quirky, supernatural characters. The creepy cast include Silas, a caretaker living between this world and the next, Mother Slaughter, the Indigo Man, The Sleer, mist walkers, witches and even a young girl called Scarlett who visits the graveyard. Whilst being schooled by Miss Lupescu - who at second glance appears to be a right dog - Bod is granted the 'Freedom of the Graveyard' and sets about exploring every dark corner, coffin and mausoleum inside its gates. Despite these fantastical adventures, his intended life beyond the graveyard still beckons him, but one step outside the protective gates and the threat of Jack and a sinister organisation known as the 'Convocation' looms larger than the brightest and fullest of moons.

The fabulous illustrations by Chris Riddell & Dave Mckean, that precede each chapter, set the tone as Gaiman orchestrates a witty, sinister, page-turning, fantasy adventure. Set in a world where leaving a graveyard has deadlier consequences than entering one, this is wonderfully imaginative story-telling at its best.

I wish I'd started reading Neil Gaiman's stuff years ago!

2 people found this helpful

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