One Down: The Phantom Tollbooth

I finished The Phantom Tollbooth!

Actually, I finished it on Saturday as we were driving down the 101 (which is really pretty, btw...lovely ocean). But I didn't post right away because I sort of got sucked into my Tivo (btw, The Cutting Edge 2 on ABC Family is a really entertaining movie).

Then I read Bronwen's post and felt guilty about the amount of alone tv-watching I'd done, so I'm back to blogging.

So, Phantom Tollbooth.

I have to begin by saying that I expected a lot when I started reading this book, because it had come so highly recommended by people I highly regard as good friends with excellent taste.

Which led to my strange experience in reading this book. There's something about reading books that our friends recommend...I can't quite put my finger on it. It's a wholly different experience from discovering a good book on your own (which is comparable to finding a dollar in your jacket pocket, meeting a really cute boy, happening upon that packet of Pocky you stashed in your drawer three months ago, or the semi-annual sale at Victoria's Secret). I know that they're waiting for my feedback, so I feel pressure to a) like it and b) be able to articulate why I like it in a way that pleases my friend.

So I felt kind of nervous and uncomfortable while I was reading because I dreaded the end because then I would have to pass judgment. But I read quickly because if I knew that if I stopped and thought too much I would stop reading.

Despite all the complications I imposed on it, however, The Phantom Tollbooth left an excellent impression on me because it is just that good of a book, I suppose. I see what you mean about it being difficult to describe, Bronwen, but I will try nonetheless.

It is just so clever, in a whimsical yet slightly sharp way that I associate with Britishness, for some strange reason. While I was reading I kept thinking of Roald Dahl, though I haven't read him in years and don't actually really remember his style clearly at all, but it is what I imagine his style is like. Juster uses words in such a playful manner and really makes you pay attention to every line he writes so that you can catch all his puns. The book is not very plot or character-centric; it is very much a lesson on how to think. Milo starts his journey without thinking, and through his adventures learns that what you think something means isn't always what it truly means--jumping to conclusions can be a turn of phrase or a physical act. To restore the kingdom of Wisdom, Milo had to look beyond the surface of Words or Numbers to the Rhyme and Reason that gave them meaning. Because he didn't think it was impossible, Milo accomplished the impossible.

Or at least that is what I think it is about.

Beyond that, it is also a really funny book. The part that made me laugh out loud was in "The Way to Infinity" chapter when Tock, Milo, and the Humbug are eating in Digitopolis:

"Splendid," cried the Dodecahedron. "And suppose you had something and added less than nothing to it. What would you have then?"

"FAMINE!" roared the anguished Humbug, who suddenly realized that that was exactly what he'd eaten twenty-three bowls of.

Hahahahahahaha. Oh, Humbug. I love thee.