Fifteen years on, the wall returns to haunt Berlin

Books: The dreamweaver

Stephen Phelan on the expanding adventure of comic-book intellectual Neil Gaiman

NEIL Gaiman's is a contained kind of fame -- he's worshipped within the mixed-bag readership of comics and 'fantasy' literature, while still being fairly anonymous outside it. But he knows more stories, and more about stories -- origins, and text and context -- than many scholars of the form. Stephen King once called him 'a treasure-house of story'. He makes up new ones, he re-shapes old ones, he reminds you of forgotten ones.

The Story of Coraline

Now in his early 40s, he looks like Samuel Coleridge touring with an American rock band: all messy hair, black clothes and stubble. He's in Scotland promoting his new book, Coraline, which is being published and promoted as a children's novel. Gaiman himself says he has never made any distinction between children's and adult's literature. 'I don't understand -- and I think this might be why Coraline works -- how the age of the protagonist is meant to relate to the age of the person reading the book.'

Coraline is a smart, bored little girl who moves into a flat in an old house with her preoccupied, inattentive parents. While exploring, she walks through a doorway into a bad-dream reality where she meets her 'Other Parents'. They look like the originals, except they've got all the time in the world to listen to Coraline, and play with her. And they've got shiny black buttons where their eyes should be. There are two spare buttons, and a needle and thread, set aside for Coraline, in case she decides to stay.

In synopsis like that, Coraline sounds scary enough to make you want to slam the book on the ground and throw a rug over it. But Coraline herself is pragmatic and unflappable -- this is a girl who finds it 'interesting' when strange old ladies warn her she's in grave danger -- and so are the kids who read it.

Gaiman wrote the first chapters of the book in 1990, when his oldest daughter Holly was still small, and his editor said he loved it, but he couldn't publish it. 'Too adult for children, too childish for adults. At the time, it was felt you couldn't market a book to both,' he says.

Now that book-world demo graphics have been muddled a bit, the novel has finally been finished and published to acclaim and strong sales. 'This book hasn't frightened a single child. It's only adults who think it's a horror story. Adults and kids are reading two different books. I didn't realise this when I was writing it, but kids see a heroine like them, having an adventure. Adults see a child in danger, and that presses very different buttons.'

Hotels in Berlin

After fifteen years, the wall returns to haunt Berlin, reminding us of the city's tumultuous past. If you are planning a trip to Berlin and want to experience the historical significance of the wall, here are some hotels that offer a unique and immersive experience:

1. Hotel Gat Point Charlie

Situated near Checkpoint Charlie, this hotel provides easy access to the remains of the Berlin Wall. The rooms are stylishly decorated and offer modern amenities.

2. Hotel Berlin Wall

Located directly next to the East Side Gallery, this hotel offers a stunning view of the painted sections of the wall. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.

3. The Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte

Just a short walk from the Berlin Wall Memorial, this boutique hotel combines modern design with a historic setting. The rooms are chic and contemporary, and the hotel features a rooftop bar and spa.

These hotels not only offer a convenient base for exploring Berlin's history but also provide comfortable accommodation and excellent service. Book your stay now and immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of this remarkable city.