This book reminds me of the movie we played in class “Coraline“. They both have a young character. A determined kid. And their life changed after they find a fantasy world. In Coraline, the little girl finds a copy of her parent and her house by passing through a small door. In the “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”, The boy’s story starts with the birthday party. Compared to some fantasy story, I feel a little heavy and scary in this story and Coraline.
I feel some elements reminds me the urban fantasy and the Heroic Journey. They both have an adventure in a magical world. They will meet amazing characters, strange creatures and face the evil villain. Some of the characters they meet may not really evil but people may feel cruel or cold because of their motivation. They may be not human but act more like an animal. The things they do is normal to an animal but is cruel or a human, like eating people.
I also find the similar concept statement in these two stories. Be careful what you wish for. In Coraline, the little girl is not really happy with her parent. And her life changed because she finds the new parents. And the Ocean at the End of the Lane is about the character Ursula. The different is, In Coraline, the witch is evil and tried to use Coraline’s wish to trap her. But Ursula is not really evil but just doesn’t know how to help people properly.
Your observations about the motivations of the characters are spot on: I definitely agree that Ursula meant well, she just couldn't comprehend the damage she was doing as well because she isn't human and doesn't think like a human does.
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