Coraline: The perfect horror book for kids

'Coraline' is a novella written by Neil Gaiman that was first published in 2001. It was adapted into a critically acclaimed stop-motion film in 2009. Now Gaiman is a household name amongst fans of fantasy fiction and rightfully so, with incredible works like the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, and The Graveyard Book, to say the least. With an ever-growing fanbase and multiple screen adaptations, let's have a look at the children's novella that helped catapult Gaiman into the spotlight.

'Coraline' tells the story of Coraline Jones, a smart and independent young girl who's recently moved houses. It's here she finds a small door that leads to a seemingly identical reality, except somethings not quite right. The book deals with themes of courage, home and finding oneself in mature ways that elevate it above being just a kids book. Although many nowadays would count the movie adaptation of 'Coraline' as their introduction to horror, the novella houses an even more sinister tone throughout.

But why is it the perfect horror book for kids?

Kids horror story's are few and far between and even the best of the bunch ie. Goosebumps and Shivers, are a little outdated and stop being scary after a certain age. The market for children's horror is understandably low but the majority of books that left any impact on me growing up were the ones that chilled me to the bones. Like most others my age I loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson but couldn't help but long to be as creeped out as I used to be by R. L. Stine. Too old for Goosebumps, too young for Stephen King, what was left?

I saw 'Coraline' one rainy evening when it was getting late, long before I read the book. And it scared the shit out of me. But I was also really intrigued by it, captivated by its odd beauty. I got my dad to buy the book not two weeks later.

So what does 'Coraline' do right?

For everything it intended to be, it's hard to flaw this story. 'Coraline' plays on childhood fears perfectly. By treating Coraline as independent and intelligent it simultaneously treats the young readers as such. Her decisions are smart and relatable, making her a worthy protagonist in the eyes of children; from the first sign that somethings wrong she's eager to leave. This is surprisingly rare in children's horror and it immediately put 'Coraline' above the rest. It plays on themes very personal to children and works of off timeless tales like 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.

Gaiman's decision to make this story a novella, the most uncommon length of a book, was genius. A short story would not have been long enough to capture the vibrancy of the world and a novel would have dragged the story out for too long. The overall story is not something viscerally original but it somehow manages to be both familiar and wholly unique. Despite her age, Coraline isn't naive and faces the other world and the other mother with commendable bravery.

There's a touching sentiment in the novella that's not found in the film, where Coraline recalls her dad protecting her from a swarm of angry bees. After they escape he realises he's forgotten his glasses and goes back to get them. The point of this segment is to remind us that courage is not the absence of fear but rather the strength to fight it. It's a very touching and sincere moment as Coraline prepares to rescue her parents and one that's very potent for children of all ages.

What are 'Coraline's' flaws?

'Coraline' has pretty much none. It's neither long enough or complicated enough, to cultivate any. One could make the argument that the side characters ie. Mr. Bobo, Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, even Coraline's parents are too one dimensional and lack any real characterisation but personally, I think that's how children generally see people. They tend not to look past the surface too much. After the films release, people reading the book were understandably upset to find Wybie was not part of Gaiman's story. In some ways, Coraline spends too much time alone, with no friends outside a cat, but I think this only adds to the creepiness. Kids's dread isolation so it's only natural for it to be such a big part of Coraline's world.

Overall, it's just a really well-structured and well-written novella that doesn't try to be anything more than what it is. And what it is, is a perfect horror book for kids.

Rating: 9.5/10