The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Marvelous.

Gaiman is hit or miss for me; this was a hit, and provoked a stronger and more varied emotional response from me than I expected. I have no idea how to describe it; it's brief, but to even begin to explain the plot would require more exposition than belongs in a review like this. (And would, frankly, ruin the experience of reading it, so go in blind.) You will need an appreciation for the fantastic; those who read only nonfiction or who avoid speculative fiction entirely need not apply. A rare treat for the rest of us.