The Phantom Tollbooth
An intriguing novel that focuses on logic & reasoning that is skillfully woven into a type of a fantasy allagory. This book is an old classic that I loved going through with my children. A book that adults likely will enjoy as much - or more than the kids! That is if you like word-play and out-of-the-box thinking!
Cider's Review: Don't jump to conclusions too quickly about this book! It may be much more exciting than you think! Join Milo on an exciting adventure where he travels through a tollbooth that randomly appears in his house, into a different world. His exciting journey takes you through a world of word-play, double meanings, and food for thought. His periolous journey is to bring back the princesses Rhyme & Reason to the land. Each character is so unique and brings you into a specific thought of logic, reasoning, and imgagination.
Note: There are characters in the book that some may shy away from on first glance: The Which (no magic - as she is a play on words), the Mathmagician who holds a long pencil, and demons which are an allagory to insecurity, compromise, know-it-all, exageration, threadbare excuse, etc. This book was written in the 1960's - a time when allorgies of demons were more common refferences something bad or corrupt.
Main Description:
With almost 5 million copies sold 60 years after its original publication, generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever.
“Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too.” --Phillip Pullman
For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!