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23rd out of 116 books
—
77 voters
A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears
'Prince Roger sets out eagerly on a quest and finds a few adventures, a lot of friends, a damsel or two in distress (not!) and himself, in the end. A 'carrier of joy' whose mere presence causes everyone to laugh uncontrollably, Roger finds cruelty and kindness equally amusing, and expects his quest to be a lark. It's anything but: As Roger passes through the Forever Forest...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
March 7th 1998
by HarperCollins
(first published 1995)
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Sometimes I think there is no such thing as a children's book. Most books that are written are not written by children, so most books can't be called children's books. There are just books that children and adults will both enjoy, and books that adults will enjoy more than children. It has been a long time since I read a children's book (I will call it that to stop confusion) and after read A Barrel I forgot how much better they are compared to a lot of other books. They say so much in so little...more
When a favorite cartoonist tackles the written word, good things happen. Feiffer, in all forms of expression, will tell us more about ourselves than we ever knew.
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This is one of my favorite books of all time. When I was little, it always made me laugh out loud so I wanted to be sure I read it to Hattie. It was the first proper book I ever read to her and we started it the day we came home from the hospital. The lessons it teaches touched me even as an adult. I'm sure this is one we'll read many times over. (Started 11.18.11 w/Hattie)
I first read this book when I was a child, and fell in love with it then. I had a chance to re-read it recently, and I found that I was equally enchanted. Feiffer's writing is matter-of-fact, yet whimsical, and the art is perfect for the tone of the book. This is a book that should be shared between generations, a wonderful family read that has enough layers of magic and humor to entertain children and adults alike. One of the best-kept secrets of young adult literature.
The bulk of reviews, quotes, etc about the book highlight how funny the book is. It is that. But it's also an anti-Little Prince, an adieu to Neverland. It's delightfully funny and, unlike so many of our Polar Express like classics, says that growing up is better than not, that adulthood is something to look forward to. This is great stuff. If this hasn't become a classic yet, I hope it will in the near future.
May 01, 2010
Yvensong
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Yvensong by:
Cheryl
Shelves:
bookcrossing,
ya-and-children
Witty and charming fairy tale about a young prince sent off on a quest with many entertaining twists and turns. The little asides tossed in about characters not behaving as the author intends really appealed to this struggling writer, and gave a few chuckles along the way.
What a delightful read! Feiffer could be Lemony Snicket's kinder, less sarcastic brother with his witticisms, critiques, and good-natured commentary on his own story. I can't wait to share this laugh-out-loud fairy tale with my own children someday.
Fondly known to my friends and me as the "Roger Book," this book has quickly become a favorite not only with me, but also with my friends, my family and my sixth grade students. It follows Prince Roger through his quest to find he doesn't know what, he doesn't know where, and he'll only know he has found it when neither of them are laughing. However, even if Roger is not laughing, the reader definitely will be.
This book is a delightfully engaging story which works amazingly well as a read-aloud...more
This book is a delightfully engaging story which works amazingly well as a read-aloud...more
Wonderfully funny and unpredictable. A fractured fairy tale of the highest order. This is one I will definitely read aloud to my own children someday.
Found it in Eljay's for $4. Totally hilarious, clever, snarky, witty, charming. Read it! Or borrow mine. I couldn't put it down.
This book was ok but I wouldn't recommend it to others to read. To be honest I don't remember much about this book.
This book is about a young prince, named Rodger. Prince Rodger has a unique talent of making people laugh when ever they come near him. Prince Rodger also thinks every thing in his life is for a good cause, and that it is all fun and games. His father wants him to be more serious so he goes on a quest. But, I'm not giving away any more. Just know it's a great children's read aloud.
I should write a book about all the children's read aloud books that are worthwhile - although, that's already been...more
I should write a book about all the children's read aloud books that are worthwhile - although, that's already been...more
I originally read this book in middle school, and it was worth another read. Wholesome, funny, silly YA lit.
This book was laugh out loud funny from page to page! Very awesome book. Good job, Jules feiffer!
My 8yo twins loved the author's "interruptions" and alliterative style. It was a fun, light read.
One of the best books I have ever read over and over again, as a child and an adult!!!!!
If you are looking for a book that makes you laugh, this one is highly recommended.
Brilliantly written, funny/punny, and very amusing. Another great book to read aloud.
AWESOME, hilarious, twisted fairytale that leaves you gasping for air.
This is one of my all time favorite books. Very underrated, all awesome.
Pleasant and charming and odd. A medieval quest farce that works a bit too hard (though it probably suffers from the fact that Feiffer illustrated Phantom Tollbooth and I suspect I unconsciously expected a Juster level of word-smithing when I saw the loosely constructed Feiffer drawings. Though Feiffer gets close to clever several times, the book as a whole doesn't quite make it)
It does impart wisdom; the moral could be summed up as follows:
If we don't end up where we thought we were going maybe...more
It does impart wisdom; the moral could be summed up as follows:
If we don't end up where we thought we were going maybe...more
Incredible. Marvelous. Hilarious. Fantastic. Wonderful.
Very Phantom Toll Booth- clever word play.
Very fun.
Its hilarious :)
A perfect children's book, but it will equally touch the hearts of an adult! It makes you laugh and laugh and laugh and the illustrations and choice of words=Hilarious! A riot!
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Bought from my favorite bookstore in Denver - The Tattered Cover (Cherry Creek location, now closed). Sniff.
Jules writes in the vein of Roald Dahl, and this small story is no exception.
Jules writes in the vein of Roald Dahl, and this small story is no exception.
Wirklich ganz süß geschrieben. Die Geschichte eines Prinzen, der wohin er auch geht Lachen hervorruft. Um das zu kurieren wird er vom Hofzauberer auf einen "quest" geschickt.
Besonders lustig sind die eingestreuten Kommentare des Erzählers, der sich z.B. darüber aufregt, dass eine bestimmte Figur einfach nicht aus seinem Buch verschwinden will. Erinnert ein bisschen an "Princess Bride".
Besonders lustig sind die eingestreuten Kommentare des Erzählers, der sich z.B. darüber aufregt, dass eine bestimmte Figur einfach nicht aus seinem Buch verschwinden will. Erinnert ein bisschen an "Princess Bride".
Nov 17, 2010
Literature3!Amateur
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
ppl who like humour
Recommended to Literature3!Amateur by:
Literature3!Amateur
Wow this was a really great book. It made you feel like the characters were real and alive. It was funny at times and touching at others. It was really fun and made you react to it. At the end of the book I couldn't help but smiling for a few minutes because it was a happy ending!
Btw, I liked the ending and Blister PapaMacallit. I mean Mister Wachamacallit! (:P).
Btw, I liked the ending and Blister PapaMacallit. I mean Mister Wachamacallit! (:P).
Feb 08, 2008
Brynna
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who like to think but have forgotten why, people who like to laugh
Recommended to Brynna by:
Adelle Rodkey
I can't give a date to when I read this book because I read it on a fairly regular basis. A wonderfully fun antidote to thinking too much, especially when the narrative careens out of the author's control. This book is written and illustrated by the illustrator of "The Phantom Tollbooth". Also a fun book to read aloud.
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Jules Feiffer is the acclaimed author-illustrator of several books for children, including BARK, GEORGE; MEANWHILE . . .; and I LOST MY BEAR; and the illustrator of THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, by Norton Juster. Jules Feiffer is also a renowned editorial cartoonist, playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. He has been the recipient of an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize, a London Theatre Critics Award, an...more
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