Fantasy
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Returning to his childhood home for a funeral, a man wanders down a lane to a farm where an unusual girl once lived. He starts to remember the strange events of the summer he was seven, and what lived beside the duck pond.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2013
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 304
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a short, lyrical dark fairy tale about memory and childhood fear.
Skip this if you want a bright story, as it is sad and includes some disturbing moments for a child.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Ocean at the End of the Lane
- What is The Ocean at the End of the Lane about?
- Returning to his childhood home for a funeral, a man wanders down a lane to a farm where an unusual girl once lived. He starts to remember the strange events of the summer he was seven, and what lived beside the duck pond.
- Who should read The Ocean at the End of the Lane?
- Read it if you want a short, lyrical dark fairy tale about memory and childhood fear. Skip it if you want a bright story, as it is sad and includes some disturbing moments for a child.
- How long and how fast is The Ocean at the End of the Lane?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 304 pages, first published in 2013.
- Does The Ocean at the End of the Lane have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide, Death, Infidelity, Child abuse.
- Can I borrow The Ocean at the End of the Lane for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Ocean at the End of the Lane; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Ocean at the End of the Lane?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Coraline, Piranesi, The Lovely Bones.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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