Updated on August 21st, 2026
I saw the movie Coraline when it first came out, and I have the DVD, but it has been many years since I watched it. I have not read the book Coraline by Neil Gaiman until now.
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Since I have seen the movie and read the book, I will do some comparisons. The plot for both the movie and the book is pretty much the same. Coraline and her parents move into a flat where she meets her eccentric neighbors: a retired circus performer who is training a mouse circus and two elderly retired actresses who own a ton of Scottish Terriers.
One day, Coraline is bored and discovers a door that leads to a parallel world where her house is the same, but everyone, including the other mother, has button eyes. In an attempt to keep Coraline in the parallel world, the other mother kidnaps her parents, and Coraline must get them back. Both the book and movie do not explain how the parallel world and other mother came about, but the book does provide more flashbacks of Coraline with her parents. The flashbacks give more depth and likability to her parents, whereas in the movie they are portrayed as parents who do not care about her.
Coraline is also more likable in the book, and I think it has to do with the fact that she has to do everything by herself, whereas in the movie she has Wybie to fall back on (Wybie and his grandma are not in the book). In both the movie and book, my favorite parts were with the cat, and I love that he could talk in the parallel world. As far as creepiness goes, some scenes in the book were especially creepy, which are not present in the movie. The book was also a short read and it was read by Neil Gaiman himself, which was a nice addition to the audiobook.
Overall, I recommend Coraline by Neil Gaiman if you want to read a creepy book or you have seen the movie.
Will have to read this. Loved the film.
You will! 😄
I love the movie! I still can’t believe that it comes off like it is suitable for kids though, that cracks me up.
I love the movie too & it’s definitely not for kids! The movie does have a PG rating, but it would be more appropriate for it to be PG-13
Loved, loved, loved this book!
It’s a great book! 😄
Ooo I loved this story didn’t even think to look for the book! It always surprises me (even though I know most films are made from books) brill review x
Thank you! 😊 It seems like nowadays most movies are based on books & I don’t end up finding out about the book until much later haha
I remember watching the film when I was younger and it really freaked me out, but I had no idea there was a book, I love to read so I’m going to have to give this on a go 😍 great post!
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Thank you! I loved the movie when it came out but I was also 15 or so but I can understand how it can freak some people out.
I had never seen movie neither read the book before.But after reading your review it seems interesting . I would love to read the book .
You should read it! It’s a short read so you could probably get through it in a few sittings! 😊
It sounds like a great read! I have heard a lot of (good) things about the movie, but I haven’t gotten around to watching it yet (as usual lol😂).
You should watch it! It’s been out for so long & I would like to know what you think 😊
I will do my best to maybe finally see it in my vacation in September 😊😊
Oh okay! Are you traveling or staying home?
A bit of both I think. Want to catch up a bit on things I haven’t yet watched…so…definitely will also be spending a little bit of time at home too 😊😊
That’s nice! 😄 I hope you have a good vacation!
Thank you so much, I hope I do too 😊. Looking forward to it😊
This is one of my all time favourite books! I will have to check out the audio of it as I had no idea Neil Gaiman himself read it out. Great review! 😄❤
Thank you! It is a great book & I definitely recommend the audio book b/c he acts out where there’s emphasis, pauses & rushing 😊
Coraline is my abolute favorite. Everything about the movie is just perfect but I haven’t been able to get my hands on the book! So hopefully soon! (: Great review!
Thank you! Since you love the movie I would definitely recommend the book! Hopefully you can get it soon 😊
Okay!! 😁