When Phillip Pullman thinks a fantasy story is well written, I pay attention. So, when I read his review of Neil Gaiman's young adult novel Coraline several years ago, I promptly added the book to my reading list. I'm glad I did.

Here's the story, in brief. Coraline Jones and her too-busy parents move into a flat that is part of a huge old house shared by a "crazy old man," Mr. Bobo, and two retired thespians, Miss Pink and Miss Forcible. During her explorations of the house, Coraline finds a door leading to a world that mirrors her own, but with toys that are alive, cats that talk and an Other Mother who is attentive and adoring. This world is no Narnia, though, and its sinister side comes to light fairly quickly. The book is short, but I think it's one of Gaiman's best — weird, twisted and just plain creepy. No surprise, then, that an animated film version of Coraline is in production. … continue reading