Week two of our discussion of Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, The Graveyard Book, includes two of my favorite chapters in the book. It has been a special pleasure driving around the Kansas City area for work this week listening to Gaiman tell me this story in the way that only he can do it. This middle section of the book is a transitional section of the story about a boy growing up. In an unusual location, to be sure, but growing up nonetheless in the same way that we all grow up. We see him begin to test the boundaries of his independence and to push against the constraints of age as he travels down the inevitable path that lays before him, the path that all children take on the road to young adulthood.
So let’s chat about Chapters 4-6 of The Graveyard Book.
Chapter 4, The Witch’s Headstone, was published as a short story before the novel’s release and in the form it was in it worked really well as a stand alone story. In some ways I think we all feel during childhood that we are navigating that world alone. The ‘no man is an island’ idea doesn’t feel true in childhood and adolescence and Gaiman captures that idea in a very interesting way in having Bod truly be alone, the lone ‘live’ person in his small world. That separation creates really great opportunities to examine how a boy addresses growing up and this chapter is a really poignant one in that sense. In it we see Bod’s first real steps of independence and in that we also see the kind of unconditional love that kids can sometimes possess. Despite the warnings from those who theoretically know better, Bod follows his curiosity to the ‘other side of the tracks’ in the graveyard and meets Liza Hempstock, a character that I like very much. I enjoy the fact that Bod doesn’t think twice about doing something kind for her and that kindness touches Liza who in turn helps Bod in a way that will have an effect on the rest of the story.
It is great to see a slightly older Bod return to the place of the Sleer, and in so doing shows the readers, particularly young readers, how he stands up to fear and dismisses it as an ineffective state. He is brave but foolish in ways that kids often are until they learn the ways of the world and I like the whole chapter. It has a dash of adventure, a little danger, and ends with a really sweet sentiment. As a microcosm of the novel as a whole it is perfect.
Danse Macabre is one of my favorite chapters of any book ever. I always tell myself I’m going to take the time to do a little research to see what some of Neil’s inspirations might have been but always let the time get away from me. Still, it is a chapter that feels steeped in folklore and tradition. There is so much ritual in various cultures in regards to how we see/treat the dead and this dance, between those who are dead and those who are on that road is a touching one. Whenever I read it, or here Neil read it, I find myself wishing I could hear the music that everyone else hears. Bod’s curiosity and excitement about the event is contagious as, like him, I just want to talk about it when it is all over. It is also a chapter in which we learn a little bit more about Silas. I don’t know about you, but I find that almost everything I learn about Silas both increases the mystery and also makes me feel profoundly sad. Silas in some way in the embodiment of the melancholy that is in some way present in any story about growing up. He is perpetually in a state of in-between, neither living nor dead. The moment is small, but when Bod sees him watching the dance I feel an emotional tug on my heart. And that very tug of emotion reminds me of why I feel Gaiman is such a special author. He takes a character who is probably in all respects a true monster and makes him not monstrous at all but instead a protector and a caring guardian. I love that.
We get a little more reveal of the man Jack and the truly scaring organization that he belongs to. Scary because Gaiman reveals so very little and yet that makes them no less sinister. They are a formidable group, and now we know that Jack is still on the trail and that we will see him again.
And finally we see Bod taking even more steps towards independence as well as the ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ lesson that we all learn and learn and learn. Bod starts making decisions for himself and in doing so finds an opportunity to ape his mentor, to become a guardian of sorts for those who are being bullied and picked on. In doing so he uses the powers that he has access to and it doesn’t all go according to plan. Bod begins to learn the sometimes painful and scary lessons that our actions have consequences even when our intentions might have been really good from the start.
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I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this week’s chapters, but first, a giveaway!!! The random winner of a print from Gothicrow for those who participated in A Grave Tale is:
Elisa at Lost Inside the Covers
Congrats Elisa! As soon as Gothicrow is back from vacation, visit her site and let me know which print you want, and of course your mailing address, and I’ll have her send it right to you. And remember we have another post coming up this Wed. that will give you a chance to win.
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And now please leave your link and lets talk about The Graveyard Book:
Hi Carl
I love that cover and the way the child is walking on the knife edge! Very appropriate to the content.
I know what you mean about Silas and the way Gaiman makes us care about him I think he’s a great character. The other thing I find really imaginative is the Organisation which Jack is a part of – really creative.
After reading your piece I was intrigued about the Dance Macabre – it’s apparently an old French superstition about Death appearing every Halloween and calling the dead to dance the dance of death while he plays his fiddle. The idea is that death unites everyone from the lowliest to the highest, we don’t take with us our earthly possessions and we all become equal beyond the grave. According to Wikipedia there is an orchestral piece written and a poem – and you’ve probably heard it if you’ve had the audio version of the book because I think according to what I read it says that the music is used to introduce each of the chapters – don’t know whether that’s right or not. Actually this is one audio book that really interests me, not least because of Gaiman reading it himself. I don’t tend to listen to audio books but I could break my habit for this one.
Lynn 😀
That is cool, thanks for sharing that. I like in Gaiman’s relating of the Dance that it obviously only happens every several decades and is tied particularly to the appearance of that one flower. There is music in the audio book and I like it but it certainly isn’t what I hear in my head when I think of the Dance. It is a really lovely idea and I like what you shared about it. Death does unite us all, that is for certain.
To be honest, when I read it I never picked up on the whole folklore aspect and so didn’t go back and check, it was reading your comments that intrigued me.
So thanks for that – I love reading about things like that.
Lynn 😀
You are welcome!
I loved these chapters, especially “The Witch’s Headstone.” Liza is a brilliant character, and I love the mixed relationship between her and Bod.
I also loved finding out more about Silas–and I agree, he is such a melancholy character, and so brilliantly drawn.
Definitely seeing the “coming of age” aspect of the story here, and it made me look forward to the final parts of the book!
Isn’t Liza wonderful? I enjoy her reappearance after this chapter as well. She is a character that could have had even more time in the story and I would not have been disappointed. I like the way that she develops a caring relationship with Bod, one that shows out even more in Chapter 6 from this week’s read when she encourages him to not leave them and shares how much they all care about him and want him to have all the ups and downs that life has to offer.
This cover is quite stunning. I love the juxtaposition of the bloody knife image and the almost translucent child reaching for the moon.
Carl, I absolutely agree with you–the witch chapter is my favorite, too. Sometimes we just have to go beyond what is good for us and safe in order to reach out to others who may need our friendship. Lovely.
That image is part of a pull-out “cover” for the collector’s edition of The Graveyard Book. It is a lovely book that someday I need to actually read and not just stare at, lol!
The Witch chapter encapsulates a nice story within it and works very well as a stand alone story, which it was first, and as part of the greater whole of this novel. It is placed perfectly within the book as well as the first big adventure Bod has outside of the graveyard and thus outside of almost all the protective influences he normally has in his young life.
Silas also holds a special place for me in this book. Rereading this, I have been wondering if Silas sometimes regret a choice he had (if he had one) in the past to become what he is. I am very glad Gaiman came up with his character as he gives the element of mystery mixed with slightly creepy yet a deep comfort for Bod.
I too always wonder if he had a choice. It seems obvious on some level that he is a vampire and yet not entirely. I think he is something even more than that, or different than that, and so I don’t always know if he had a choice. Silas is great because he is not warm and cuddly and yet he conveys a deep attachment to Bod and his well being.
Thanks again for hosting this re-read, I’ve really been enjoying delving into this book again.
You are welcome. It has been such a big win-win for me because it prompted me to listen to it once again and I may not have otherwise. Its been a perfect delight to have Neil telling me this story again as I drive around to and from work.
I had no idea The Witch’s Headstone was published as a short story. That makes sense. I love The Danse Macabre chapter as well and I agree that Silas’ character is so fascinating and heartbreaking.
It was in a collection called Wizards that had some good stories in it (of the ones I read). It worked as a nice preview for the novel that was going to be published.
Hi Carl and fellow Graveyard readers,
I’m so glad I’m participating in this read-along.. not only am I thoroughly enjoying the book itself, but it’s great to get insight from other readers along the way.
I really liked the chapter with Eliza, too. I was so proud of Bod for not judging her for being buried in unconsecrated ground and his willingness to be a friend to her despite the other spirits warning him against the people who were buried in Potter’s Field.
Silas has fast become my favorite character in this book and I find a lot of satisfaction knowing his relationship with Bod is just as important to him as Bod’s is with Silas. They’re both growing, I think.
Thanks so much for doing so Christine! The chapter with Bod and Liza is such a perfect demonstration of how trusting and open kids can be in making friends. I wish we could all be as non-judgmental in our interactions with people that we come in contact with.
Like you I love the Silas-Bod relationship. I like to imagine that this is the first time Silas has come out of his shell in this manner in regards to interacting with a living person and I agree with you I think they both grow from the relationship.
I really enjoyed this week’s reading and I’m loving that the story is becoming more involved and intricate. The man Jack–scary. What group wants to hunt down a child. Can’t wait to finish it this weekend!
I know I wouldn’t want to run into any of the Jack’s in the daylight, let alone in a dark alley…or graveyard!
I didn’t make it to participate in the readalong but I’m currently listening to it now. It’s actually my first audio book so I’m not sure how I feel quite yet. I attempted the first two chapters last year but ended up not having time to finish. So far, I’m think I’ll enjoy it much more this time around and look forward to being able to come back and discuss. It’s only 7 hours so I should complete it pretty quickly!
It is a pretty quick audio book and a lovely book to listen to. I don’t often take the time to listen to audio books but when they are this good it is worth doing. Looking forward to your thoughts as you get further into it.