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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found The Land of Laughs after browsing this site for a long time. What originally captivated me was the cover sporting a white bull terrier in beautiful pen (By Patrick Arrasmith, look him up!). I'm a sucker for those dogs. And awesome book covers. But I'm glad I up and ordered this one in the same instant that I discovered it, because the wonderful cover merely foreshadowed the story inside.
Jonathan Carroll is a storyteller. And a very very good one. His story was unpretentious in it's plot and dialog, which was really refreshing. The story was consistent in it's writing, but the plot literally kept me guessing the entire time. I come from a family that loves to predict whatever comes next, be it in movies, books or even music lyrics....But this story held something so original that I didn't even want to try. Okay, maybe I did just a little bit, but I went into reading this knowing hardly anything about the plot, and that really paid off enjoyment wise. In the end, it's a really well crafted story that I believe many people, whatever genre they may be partial to, would enjoy.
I recommend The Land of Laughs for those who enjoy fast paced, altered realties with genuine characters and beautiful humor mixed with seriousness. All wonderful shrapnel for an exploding story. It's really good, ok guys?
Highly recommended.
Jonathan Carroll is a storyteller. And a very very good one. His story was unpretentious in it's plot and dialog, which was really refreshing. The story was consistent in it's writing, but the plot literally kept me guessing the entire time. I come from a family that loves to predict whatever comes next, be it in movies, books or even music lyrics....But this story held something so original that I didn't even want to try. Okay, maybe I did just a little bit, but I went into reading this knowing hardly anything about the plot, and that really paid off enjoyment wise. In the end, it's a really well crafted story that I believe many people, whatever genre they may be partial to, would enjoy.
I recommend The Land of Laughs for those who enjoy fast paced, altered realties with genuine characters and beautiful humor mixed with seriousness. All wonderful shrapnel for an exploding story. It's really good, ok guys?
Highly recommended.
This book has haunted me for 10+ years. I first read it for a Fantasy Lit & Theory (awesome college course, right?!) class back in 2003/4. I absolutely did NOT want to read it. I’ve always been fascinated with the world of fantasy and folklore, but had zero desire in the contemporary or modern. This was the last book of the course. I dreaded it. I love reading, but if I can’t get into a book, it’s like pulling teeth to push through. I was so wrong about it. Once I opened the book, I could not put it down. I loved the idea that this little unassuming town had deep, dark secrets that aren’t what you would expect. I really loved the characters, especially Saxony. The book is unexpected, witty and weird. And the thing is- although I enjoyed the book back when I read it, I didn’t love it like I do now. It was a slow burn. As in, I didn’t keep the book, forgot the name and spent years and years searching for it again. I couldn’t get images out of my mind. The book opened me up to the niche of fantasy that is dark and twisty. (Neil Gaiman now is one of my favorite authors and I probably wouldn’t have even touched his works without having read this first.) I spent a few hours googling “books about weird Midwest towns” or “books with bulldog terriers on cover”, trying to find this book. Over the years I had forgotten the premise and had only the most abstract tangents to go off of. Like black and white, corn, kites, etc. But hey!, it paid off! I found the book, immediately downloaded it, and spent the last few nights immersed in this weird little story book town. SO GOOD!
Very creepy and unsettling, but (if you're squeamish, like me) not too hard to take. This is my clear favourite of Jonathan Carroll's relatively large oeuvre.
I've re-read this many, many times, so the date is approximately my first read.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
I've re-read this many, many times, so the date is approximately my first read.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
Книга эта завораживает и цепляет с первых страниц - нас встречают странные и милые молодые ребята, живущие каждый в своем мире, но объединившиеся под знаком любви к автору детских книг. У них есть проблемы - с самоопределением, с верой в собственные силы, с нежеланием присутствовать в этом мире и горячим желанием не покидать свой, однако проблемы эти исчезают, когда они появляются друг у друга.
Томас и Саксони отправляются в долгий путь на родину своего любимого автора для того, чтобы написать его биографию, и попадают в новый, теперь уже общий для них обоих, и для нескольких сотен жителей маленького городка, мир. Что ждет их в этом мире мы узнаем постепенно, по капельке, но то, что происходит что-то странное становится понятно на первых страницах.
Поначалу книга привела меня в восторг - отличный юмор, мой любимый тип героев - с милыми странностями, явно необычные события... Но с середины магия истории для меня начала развеиваться, - по мере нарастания присутствия магии в самой книге. Кажется, здесь можно было бы описать подробнее, здесь перебор, а тут эпизод совсем вышел куцым. С концом тоже печаль - вроде он закономерный, но какой-то сухой. Не верится в этот конец, он кажется обрубленным и наскоро пришитым к самой истории. Но определенное удовольствие от прочтения, безусловно, осталось, - юмор у автора хорош и слог что надо. Если бы чуточку добавить - были бы пять звезд, а так только 4, но все равно здорово.
Томас и Саксони отправляются в долгий путь на родину своего любимого автора для того, чтобы написать его биографию, и попадают в новый, теперь уже общий для них обоих, и для нескольких сотен жителей маленького городка, мир. Что ждет их в этом мире мы узнаем постепенно, по капельке, но то, что происходит что-то странное становится понятно на первых страницах.
Поначалу книга привела меня в восторг - отличный юмор, мой любимый тип героев - с милыми странностями, явно необычные события... Но с середины магия истории для меня начала развеиваться, - по мере нарастания присутствия магии в самой книге. Кажется, здесь можно было бы описать подробнее, здесь перебор, а тут эпизод совсем вышел куцым. С концом тоже печаль - вроде он закономерный, но какой-то сухой. Не верится в этот конец, он кажется обрубленным и наскоро пришитым к самой истории. Но определенное удовольствие от прочтения, безусловно, осталось, - юмор у автора хорош и слог что надо. Если бы чуточку добавить - были бы пять звезд, а так только 4, но все равно здорово.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thomas goes to write a book about his favorite author, with his new girlfriend in tow as his unpaid editor.
The story unfolds from there told in a mix of clueless, and at times hilarious inner monologue. Thomas is an unlikable main character, and I struggled to read about him and his objectification of everything with feminine features. But, the story was intriguing, and under 300 pages, so I continued on, and am mostly glad about it. It was a nice tableau with a witty ending, and Thomas got his comeuppance. I am just sad that we didn't get any of the other characters more fleshed out (pun not intended).
If you want a quick, weird read that will get a couple of chuckles out of you, this book will scratch that itch. I would've liked to get something more atmospheric and dark, but will have to look elsewhere.
The story unfolds from there told in a mix of clueless, and at times hilarious inner monologue. Thomas is an unlikable main character, and I struggled to read about him and his objectification of everything with feminine features. But, the story was intriguing, and under 300 pages, so I continued on, and am mostly glad about it. It was a nice tableau with a witty ending, and Thomas got his comeuppance. I am just sad that we didn't get any of the other characters more fleshed out (pun not intended).
If you want a quick, weird read that will get a couple of chuckles out of you, this book will scratch that itch. I would've liked to get something more atmospheric and dark, but will have to look elsewhere.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes