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blindchoice's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
liketheday's review against another edition
3.0
I would definitely not recommend this for your first experience with my beloved Tollbooth, but if you’ve got a reading or two under your belt I think you’ll find a lot to interest you here.
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knitasgonnaknit's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
schnoebs13's review
3.0
Going through the history of the author’s life and that of the illustrator, this annotated version of the phantom tollbooth contains a largely detailed introduction and contains pictures of all the work and notes needed for this creation of the book.
I enjoyed parts of this book and I liked learning about the wide range of concepts the author included in it but it was such a struggle for me to get through. Besides having a few bits of information I could use for future jeopardy questions, I think I’ll just stick to the normal book.
I enjoyed parts of this book and I liked learning about the wide range of concepts the author included in it but it was such a struggle for me to get through. Besides having a few bits of information I could use for future jeopardy questions, I think I’ll just stick to the normal book.
hjswinford's review against another edition
5.0
2022 reread: Still as poignant and enjoyable as ever. I adore this book for how simple and deep it manages it to be simultaneously.
waywardnova's review
4.5
still bangs! endlessly clever and genuinely funny and just :') it was the first book i ever loved as a kid and i'm glad that it still holds up** 20 years after i last read it in full. i'm sure i'm giving this a whole extra star for nostalgia but idc. the concept of an island called Conclusions that you can only get to by jumping is delightful and that type of humor is the whole book
v interesting how much of this book is still relevant. the entire part set in the land of Ignorance is like, scarily accurate to today. so many of the little lessons in this book are worth teaching kids because of many of them are related to self acceptance, being easy on yourself, acknowledging that mistakes are okay as long as you grow from them.
i read the annotated version, and it was super cool!! i skimmed through some of them as i read so i wouldn't consider it a necessity, but it gives some neat insight into some of the juster's choices, the etymology of words, photocopies of his actual brainstorming notes, and behind the scenes of feiffer's illustrations. i dug it! also, the audiobook is narrated by rainn wilson and he did SUCH a fun job
** the only notable blip for me was that it uses the m-slur a handful of times in a short scene, and while it wasn't used maliciously, it's uh. ya know. not great! it took me by surprise omfg. giving it the "it was written 62 years ago, product of its time, etc" sticker but eek wish that had been edited or given an annotation regarding its usage
v interesting how much of this book is still relevant. the entire part set in the land of Ignorance is like, scarily accurate to today. so many of the little lessons in this book are worth teaching kids because of many of them are related to self acceptance, being easy on yourself, acknowledging that mistakes are okay as long as you grow from them.
i read the annotated version, and it was super cool!! i skimmed through some of them as i read so i wouldn't consider it a necessity, but it gives some neat insight into some of the juster's choices, the etymology of words, photocopies of his actual brainstorming notes, and behind the scenes of feiffer's illustrations. i dug it! also, the audiobook is narrated by rainn wilson and he did SUCH a fun job
** the only notable blip for me was that it uses the m-slur a handful of times in a short scene, and while it wasn't used maliciously, it's uh. ya know. not great! it took me by surprise omfg. giving it the "it was written 62 years ago, product of its time, etc" sticker but eek wish that had been edited or given an annotation regarding its usage
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
5 for the Phantom Tollbooth, 3 for the Annotations. Unlike Martin Gardner's seminal The Annotated Alice (which was my first exposure to Alice in Wonderland--I read it when I was 8 and loved it), much of the annotations seem superfluous. I'm just making up an example, but a statement like "Miles picked the dandelion" might warrant an annotation about dandelions, where they're from, the origin of the name dan-de-lion, or some such thing. That's not really what anyone wants to know. There were very few notes that made me perk up and see something in a new light.
I appreciated the introduction a lot more. Basically, this would be an interesting library rental, but I wouldn't rush out to purchase it (as I had done!)
I appreciated the introduction a lot more. Basically, this would be an interesting library rental, but I wouldn't rush out to purchase it (as I had done!)
thomcat's review against another edition
5.0
Really excellent story, and the annotated version reveals just how much of a game there was between author Norton Juster and illustrator Jules Feiffer. Annotations also show the inspirations, test sketches and thematic influences on the text and artwork. Highly recommended.
roklobster's review against another edition
3.0
I think this was probably more interesting as child than as an adult. Still a good read, and I'm glad we read it, but it sort of whacks you over the head with the point, as books for younger readers often do.
Still, silly and lovely and worth the read.
Still, silly and lovely and worth the read.