I am 13 (12 when I started reading Neil Gaiman books) and I noticed that a lot of the people posting seem to think that I (kids my age) should not be reading these books. I love them (particularly Coraline, as it was the first) and I think they are great stories. They do not go over my head, as some suggest. I wondered what your thoughts were about my reading these books. Please post. -Jessica13

I had kind of a chuckle over your question, mostly because I don't think it's any of *my* business what *you* read.

But that said... you're obviously an intelligent and articulate young woman and I have the sneaking suspicion that reading has something to do with it.

So, carry on.



- Kate

I agree with KateB. I started reading "adult" literature about the same time. At 12 I was into Tolkien and T.H. White, but I also started reading Dean Koontz about the same time. I didn't encounter Neil until I was about 18, but at that point, he hadn't published much.
If you think you can handle "mature" books, then good for you. Read whatever you want to read and read a lot of it.

I was not really asking that persay, I couldn't find that right way to phrase it... I meant, since I have only read 4 Neil Gaiman books, my mom was wondering if there was anything I shouldn't be reading in the others. I must say that the fact that you found my serious question, um, amusing is a little embarassing.

You know what, I think it was a mistake to post this since everyone seems amused by it. I will ask someone else if they have read Neil Gaiman books. -Jessica13

I don't think it was a mistake for you to post your question. Since you've clarified it a bit I think I understand. Before I can answer fully, though, you should mention which books by Neil you have read, besides Coraline.
I will say this: I can't think of anything of Neil's that is blatently inappropriate for a 13 year old. There are a couple of scenes in American Gods that are a little explicit, and a scene in Stardust may be a bit questionable, but there's nothing in any of Neil's book that I wasn't already exposed to at thirteen.

I have read Coraline, Smoke and Mirrors, Neverwhere, and I am 1/2 way through Stardust. So technically, I suppose I have only finished 3. I was really wondering about the "Sandman" series, which is classified as "Graphic Novels". I wondered about the, intensity of the graphicness.

Jessica, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think I was laughing at you, which I wasn't at all.

I misunderstood. And apologize. It's great that you're posting here. I was only amused that someone astute enough to read and post about Gaiman's books would question whether or not they were appropriate. It seemed a foregone conclusion... if you're reading and enjoying them, they're fine for you. I hadn't realized you'd meant to ask about "mature content," which is a different issue.

In any case, my bad, not yours. Stick around; it's nice having you here.


American Gods has some material that some parents might not want their 13 year olds to read.

I was reading adult literature early too, and my parents didn't monitor it at all, so by the time I got to 13 I'd read everything from Castaneda to the JAWS novel, and so wasn't upset or thrown by anything I came across.

My honest answer is that I think that the only person who can answer what your mom would think is appropriate is your mom. If you or she thinks there might be an issue, she should read the material. It will also give her an opportunity to have conversations with you about it, which is nice regardless.

Personally, I'd be OK with my 13 year old reading the more explicit scenes in AMERICAN GODS. But I'd want to know about them, and be available for questions and or explanations.

That's me, though. Your parental mileage may vary, of course.

I'm not sure about Sandman. I can't remember anything hard core that I'd worry about a 13 year old reading, but it's been a while.

"Graphic" in this case doesn't mean explicit, but just that there's pictures, by the way.

Ok, thanks a lot.

I'd say that Sandman is (I am having difficulty coming up with an appropriate adjective here...) for the most part not inapproriate. As far as graphics, there is occasional nudity, but to my recollection it is rarely in the context of sex. There are scenes that I feel are very intense, but not necessarily because of the pictures. I'm thinking particularly of the second to last chapter in Preludes & Nocturnes (I think it's entitled "24 Hours in a Diner" or something). It is VERY intense, and it disturbed me when I read it at the age of 18. Other than that, I think Sandman would be a great read for a mature 13 year old, as you seem to be.
Cheers,
Parsival

OK, I think everyone is clear on what I was saying, but just in case, here is what I actually meant: I like Neil Gaiman books and have read 4; I was not aware that there was anything questionable in them, as was suggested by some other posts. My mom was reading the posts since she knows I come on here, and asked me if there actually was anything bad in the other books. I told her I wasn't sure and would ask people that have read them. That is all I meant, I was not saying anything else, or implying that my mother is not a good judge of appropriateness in books, which she is. Thank you -Jessica13

(Post is half aimed at you, half towards your mother)

I suppose some people call Coraline questionable because adult readers find it scary and assume it would be even scarier for a younger person. Me, I read Coraline outloud to my (then) 3 year old daughter and she was fine with it. A bit similar how an adult can think Where The Wild Things are is too scary for little children because it's all about monsters wanting to eat Max.
To repeat what others have said:
Neil's 'Adult' books are only adult as in aimed towards older audiences and not adult as in 'adult movies'. American Gods has some sexual content, but it's not the centerpiece of the story. Neverwhere, Stardust, and Good Omens have only fleeting references to such things and little in the vein of horrorific images.
The term Graphic Novel, as mentioned above, refers only to the format of a story told with pictures and says nothing about the content.
Sandman does have sexual references, though I'll point out that the sex isn't illustrated, and it does have some horrorific images. It's labeled "for mature readers". Mature Readers titles are usually appropriate for early teens on and are different from adult comics. (Sandman was available for sale in bookstores stocked next to Spider-man and the like when it originally came out.)
Both American Gods and Sandman have won many awards and honors, including the Hugo and the World Fantasy Award

Oh, well, I wasn't really referring to Coraline when I mentioned "questionable". I have already read that (and so has my mother, thank you) and she didn't see anything innapropriate in it. And, although I appreciate it, I am aware of what is meant the term "Graphic Novel". Thank you, and I think my questions have been answered.

ok. I realize I was mainly repeating information, just making sure it's all there. I got my mother to read Coraline as well :P That's three generations in my family to have read it

Jessica -

I want to make sure that you understand that the reason why people are amused is not that they are laughing at you.

I have a 12-yr-old (just turned 12 last week, actually), and I am not comfy about the idea of her reading American Gods and some of the Sandman comics just yet. But she has read Coraline and Stardust and enjoyed them.

And she is younger than you are. You are nearly finished middle school and she is just starting it.

So, do you think she would enjoy Smoke and Mirrors? I hadn't thought of giving that one to her.

- Cho

I really enjoyed Smoke and Mirrors, especially "Don't Ask Jack". All of the stories are good except I'm pretty sure the "F" word is used once or twice, which my mother was not....thrilled about. -jessica13

But at 13 you'd heard that before, and knew what it meant, right? So if it wasn't the only way you've ever been introduced to the word, there can't be too much of a problem, surely.

I think it's great that you have posted here, and I am thoroughly heartened to see someone your age who has attampted American Gods. Most of my friends (I'm 23) have vetoed the idea of reading it on the grounds that it's "too big"

*shrugs*

oh, well, we know what they're missing out on, right?

Although my daughter (12 now) is perfectly capable of reading her own choice of books, I still insist on reading to her even now, whether she likes it or not. We loved Neverwhere, Snow Glass Apples and Stardust (she was about 10 then, so I censored about a page (you know which one)), and I finally got round to buying Coraline the other day, which we started last night. As for 'suitable' and 'appropriate', have you seen 'Eastenders' recently??

"Suitable", "appropiate" are relative words. What is appropiate for a 13-years old person? Neil's works challenge your reality and don't even intend to make it nice nor consensually correct.

It mostly depends whether you're willing to be taken into uncharted grounds. You might see subtle or brutal things but you'll find nothing unappropiate.

I came later to the discussion but I want to say that Jessica, you can read a lot of stuff without harm, but probably you will enjoy more some of the Neil's works in a pair of years. I suggest to you to read the Children's Crusade, Good Omens and the day I swap my dad for 2 gold fish (but maybe you are too young or too older for that). I'm not undervaluate you (that word exist?), I'm only thinking in me at your age (maybe a little older, nowadays young people are more mature by far than we was).