The exciting first chapter

When I wanted to start reading the novel „The Graveyard Book“ by Neil Gaiman (look here for some informations about the author: http://www.neilgaiman.com/), the inspiring book cover illustrated by Chris Riddell caught my eye (have a look at it yourself at http://www.vampires.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/graveyard-book.jpg). At first glance it looks a bit scary, maybe, and not suitable for kids. But after I read the first chapter I noticed that the cover depicts the important characters and the graveyard where the story takes place in a true to original way. So it was easier for me to imagine the scene.

In my opinion the first chapter is very well written because it provides an excellent insight into what the story is about. It made me curious to know how the characters, especially the main character “Nobody”, an 18 months old boy, will develop.

On the first page of the novel a man called Jack tries to kill Nobody after murdering the boy’s family. But why? In the first chapter the reason is not given. It only says: “One more and his (Jack’s) task would be done” (page 4, top). So I am curious to know why Jack wants to kill Nobody and who Jack is!

The book is also funny. In one passage a ghost called Mrs Owens is singing a song to Nobody but she can’t remember the end of the song:

“Sleep my little babby-oh

Sleep until you waken

When you’re grown you’ll see the world

If I’m not mistaken.

Kiss a lover,

Dance a measure,

Find your name

and buried treasure …

(…) She had a feeling that the final line was something in the way of ‘and some hairy bacon’, (…) (page 20)

I hope that in the course of the book I will find out what this final line really is!
(302 words)