I want to preface this by saying that I did not read this as a child, I have not seen the movie, and I red this via audio (narrated by author). From other reviews I have seen, each and every one of these points should have dampens my experience of this book - yet I loved it! It is creepy and quirky and well paced with Coraline as a fantastic protagonist. She is honest, brave, clever and relatable, without crossing that line into precocious or faultless. I love that she is not afraid to admit she is scared or doesn't understand/know what to do - She is the best kind of child narrator; realistic but admirable, without sacrificing plot.
I do want to read a physical copy of this, maybe the graphic novel as I feel like that is an even better means for consuming this narrative.