While this novel is a surreal nightmare, Gaiman vividly and genuinely captures the realities of a child's mentality in the face of terror and danger.

This dark tale shines a clear light on the divide between childhood and adulthood psyches, while also pointing out that adults are themselves children in many ways. Growing up is in large part finding out you are not the center of the universe, and that in that universe nothing is certain.

Coming to grips with trauma is also a meandering journey that stretches from childhood to adulthood. While the main character endures a lot, I was left wondering how this journey could have played out.

Lettie was my favorite.