Anyone else remember when our elementary school teachers would make “reading goals” or competitions? When you would read up to fifty books per school year–counting page numbers and racing with your friends to see who could read faster? Filling out little bubbles or charts with crayon after each book you read? That was the most amount of books many of our classmates have ever, and will ever read.

That kind of innocence–the joy we got from reading books like Magic Tree House, Land of Stories, Geronimo Stilton, etc.–Is exactly what Neil Gaiman’s, The Ocean at The End of The Lane captures. While this book has a kid-like sense to it, it is far more mature than any of the books you’d read as an elementary schooler.

The main character revisits his childhood, explaining some of the mysterious and fanatical people and monsters he came across while living near a lake. Since the story is told from the perspective of a child, there is an innocent writing style while still covering some heavy topics through the eyes of an oblivious kid. This book does an amazing job capturing adventure, love, friendship, family, and fantasy.

Gaiman writes with confidence and detail, making the story suspenseful and fanatical. His way of immersing the readers in his world is skillful and gorgeous–bringing a new life to the novel I have yet to feel in another author’s work. This book is under 200 pages long; my copy was only 197 making this book a bite sized piece of media anyone can finish.

I highly recommend The Ocean At The End of The Lane for anyone looking for a heartwarming, slightly frightening, short novel!