"The Ocean at the End of the Lane" is a novel by British author Neil Gaiman, first published in 2013. The story is narrated by an unnamed man who returns to his childhood home in Sussex, England, and visits the nearby farm where he grew up. There, he remembers a series of strange and magical events from his childhood, including his friendship with Lettie Hempstock, a young girl who claims that the pond on her family's farm is an ocean. As the boy becomes more involved in Lettie's world, he discovers that she and her family have the power to protect him from the evil forces that threaten his life. The novel explores themes of memory, childhood, family, and the power of imagination. It has been praised for its blend of fantasy and horror elements, as well as its evocative portrayal of childhood and the mysteries of the natural world.