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Summary: Jonathan Carroll how do you do it?
Review: Ok, firstly there isn't a Jonathan Carroll book that isn't good. And I mean that. No, I'm not his publisist, and no, I don't run the Jonathan Carroll web site. I am just a 23 year old avid reader, that once I read one of his books ('The Marriage of Sticks'), I had to go out, and buy all of them, by whatever means neccesary. The fact that people on average haven't heard of him, is to me incomprehendable. He is going to go down in history of one of this centurys greatest writers. The Land Of Laughs, Jonathans first novel, is a story that begins in grounded reality, and slowly slides into the realm of fantasy, just as Alice fell through the looking glass, you will find yourself on a similar journey. If you like books that treat you with respect as a reader, and understand that we the reader like to be taken somewhere new, and origional, then buy this book. If you don't like it, you won't like any other of his novels, If you do like it, get ready to spend hours on e-bay tracking them down. Oh and by the way, when you do start bidding, look out for me, I'll be right behind you. If you are wondering why I'm not giving you a plot rundown, it is because Amazon quite cleverly put it at the top of this page, and I'm not into regurgitation. If you like this book, check out Graham Joyce 'Dreamside', and a writer called China Mieville (could be spelt wrong), he wrote 'Perdido Street Station'. Happy reading.
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Summary: Unexpected Great Read
Review: On the recomendation of a friend I read Land of Laughs. Didn't expect much and was very pleased. Grabs you and leads somewhere you don't expect to go. Although I agree with other reviews that it seemed to end quickly compared with the build-up, I also can't imagine it ending any other way.
I think I fell in love with Saxony...
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Summary: Hit me over the head
Review: So, I'm a moron. For years I've seen this author's work on the shelves and never bothered to pick it up. Then I'm in the store and someone has turned the book so that the cover illustration id facing outward and, being a man who likes pitbulls, I found myself intrigued.This is a GREAT book! Carroll weaves a story that, if he were from the correct part of the world, would be called magical realism. Ok, maybe I'll just call it that anyway. It's always bugged me that critics like to pretend that little phrase only works for the certain authors of a region...But, what do those critics know? You can't learn anything about literature that truly matters in a college classroom, you just have to read. Seriously, this is a fine book and a truly compelling story that hooks you right off the bat and won't let you go until the very end. I, for one, plan to read all of Mr. Carroll's books that I can find.
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Summary: PURE MAGIC
Review: Spellbinding book. A treasure-chest full of wonderful ideas, magicial moments and filled with a deep love for - books.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
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Summary: It's back!!
Review: The fantastic first novel from Jonathan Carroll, finally back in print. Anyone who loves the dark realistic fantasy of Graham Joyce or Richard Matheson should buy this book - now! An extra plus for those(of us) who love bull terriers is the great cover. Bull terriers are prominent in the storyline. I hope that Tor brings back all of his out-of-print books too..............
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Summary: Land of Laughs -- and terror
Review: The first of Jonathon Carroll's books I've read, this one remains very high on the list. The book starts off as a light-hearted romp and ends up an edge-of-the-seat horror novel, and it succeeds admirably in both areas.
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Summary: The written word comes to life, and an exciting one it is!
Review: The power of the written word is nowhere more evident that Jonathan Carroll's Land of Laughs. Take a child-like imagination, develop a real world around it, and you will begin to understand the Jonathan Carroll genius. At the start of the introductory character development, even the casual or first time reader will want to collect and forever keep this amazing menagerie that features unforgettable drama, action, coincidence, and fright. No one who reads Land of Laughs will ever again underestimate the power of one's imagination, or the ability of a writer to make words become real. I recommend acquisition of this treasure, and caution every owner not to let it stray too far from your grasp.
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Summary: The Surreal World
Review: The Sur-REAL World Having already read of Jonathan Carroll's novels ("Sleeping In Flame"), I was better prepared for the bizarre (and mind-blowing/bending) turns it would take in the latter half. "Land" chronicles the journey of a young teacher, Thomas Abbey, who decides to use his off-time to write a biography of Marshall France, an reclusive/mysterious author of children books that have been an obsession of Thomas for all of his life. The fun begins when Thomas and his newfound girlfriend Saxony (also infatuated with France's works) arrive in the author's hometown of Galen, Missouri. The town hold many secrets that would be cruel to unveil here - but let's just say the residents of Galen are not quite they seem, nor the town's pet mascots - some friendly bull terriers. If you are looking for something totally different to read and like to keep an open mind - there is no need to look any further than Jonathan Carroll. Although I enjoyed "Sleeping in Flame," I had trouble passing it along to friends just because it was SO different. Not the case with "Land," it is a perfect introduction to Carroll's Twilight-Zone-ish world (which makes sense since it is also the author's first novel). Carroll will probably never be a wide commercial success, but his growing cult following is certainly well deserved.
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Summary: The Surreal World
Review: The Sur-REAL World Having already read of Jonathan Carroll's novels ("Sleeping In Flame"), I was better prepared for the bizarre (and mind-blowing/bending) turns it would take in the latter half. "Land" chronicles the journey of a young teacher, Thomas Abbey, who decides to use his off-time to write a biography of Marshall France, an reclusive/mysterious author of children books that have been an obsession of Thomas for all of his life. The fun begins when Thomas and his newfound girlfriend Saxony (also infatuated with France's works) arrive in the author's hometown of Galen, Missouri. The town hold many secrets that would be cruel to unveil here - but let's just say the residents of Galen are not quite they seem, nor the town's pet mascots - some friendly bull terriers. If you are looking for something totally different to read and like to keep an open mind - there is no need to look any further than Jonathan Carroll. Although I enjoyed "Sleeping in Flame," I had trouble passing it along to friends just because it was SO different. Not the case with "Land," it is a perfect introduction to Carroll's Twilight-Zone-ish world (which makes sense since it is also the author's first novel). Carroll will probably never be a wide commercial success, but his growing cult following is certainly well deserved.
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Summary: The Land of Laghs
Review: There is supposed to be a graphic novel written by Jonathan Carroll, and illustrated by, our favorite, Dave McKean called "The Land of Laughs" WHERE IS IT? Does it exist? I have been searching for this since my teeen agnst years. Not that these years ever go away, but, Please help me find it. A die Frickin' hardezst Dave McKean Fan, BEFT.
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