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This story tells of Alberic and his search for wisdom. At first he is a simple man, and he only known enough to keep him alive. One day an old man comes to him and tells him of all that the world has to offer. Alberic ventures into the world and takes many jobs, but he fails in every attempt at becoming skilled in each profession. He then discovers that he has learned much through his misfortunes and goes to tell the world about it. This story was an example for me, and while Alberic failed many...
Marvelous not-so-short stories from the author of The Phantom Tollbooth. Recommended for any fan of that book or any other good book.The wordplay isn't quite as delicious as PT, but it's still dazzling at parts and always a pleasure to read. The characters and stories are fab. I'm so happy to read another classic from Juster!Favorite bits:"'I have at last discovered one thing,' he stated simply. 'It is much better to look for what I may never find than to find what I do not really want.'""Once a...
Definitely not a picture book for young kids because of the length and complexity of the text, but it has a great message about seeking lifelong learning and watercolor illustrations that suit the mood of the text perfectly.
I was obsessed with The Phantom Tollbooth as a kid, so when I discovered this other Norton Juster book at a neighboring town's library, I was over the moon. Unfortunately, it disappointed me at the time - it wasn't bad, I just didn't get it. And that's because calling this a children's book is a bit of a stretch. It consists of three short stories, each of which is an elegiac, philosophical, poetical riff on fairy-tale structures. Are they parables, allegories, fantasy tales? Sure, all of the ab...
Charming little parables by the author of the Phantom Tollbooth
GoodI liked this book pretty much. It is such a good book I wood recommend reading it for others. Good
CHOSEN QUOTES FROM THIS BOOKALBERIC THE WISE: There seemed no end to what he knew or what he cared to speak about, and speak he did, on and on through the day. His voice was soft and easy but his manner such that even his pauses commanded attention. And as he spoke his eyes sparkled and his words were like maps of unknown lands.SHE CRIES NO MORE: Every time he thought about it he became more convinced that there was nothing that was really true and even less in which to believe.So it was simpler...
I enjoyed the story from which the book take its title, but otherwise could have skipped this book. Thankfully, it's short enough that I don't feel I wasted my time too badly.
Juster gets points for beautiful language, and his deeply allegorical tales may appeal to older children who enjoyed Natalie Babbitt. The first tale is about Alberic, a simple farmer who has his world shaken after a visit from an old, old man, an experienced traveler. The second tale is about a boy who loves a painting in a museum, and discovers that he can enter the painting and engage with its world. The third tale examines the nature of happiness through two kings, radically different rulers
Fairy Tales of Three Meditations For IronyThe three well written tales in bradburian style and Dunsanian irony and sly humor. This is from the guy who gave us The Phantom Tollbooth classic. The guy who went traveling to find wisdom and perhaps himself. The boy who got caught up in the painting of a girl he had admired so much. The two kings, opposite of each other, went traveling to the other side of their kingdoms to discover what. Like yours truly said in the title, they’re meditations of iron...
Juster is one of my favourite writers. His prose feels like it's casually hopped onto the page, and his stories are at once fun and deeply allegorical. Highly recommended author!
A lovely set of three thoughtful stories.