Have you ever loved a magical book above all others? Have you ever wished the magic were real? Welcome to The Land of Laughs. A novel abo... read full description
reviews
Dec 18, 2009
karen
rated it: 
jonathan carroll's books are like gourmet jellybeans. even his shittiest flavors are better than most regular jellybeans, and who doesn't like jellybeans? (alfonso claims that only white people eat jellybeans, which is untrue, but it's such an odd racial stereotype i feel compelled to add it here).
you know how there is some music that no matter what mood you are in, it just happens to be the right music?? jonathan carroll is like that for me. he's just...wonderful, like a new crush y More...
you know how there is some music that no matter what mood you are in, it just happens to be the right music?? jonathan carroll is like that for me. he's just...wonderful, like a new crush y More...
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Jan 21, 2009
Brent
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Here's what I think: it has a lot of "Boy, howdy!" dialogue. Sometimes the narration reads like an eager family newsletter and is infested with as many tired phrases. The plot and its "twists" are no more interesting or serpentine than an episode of The Twilight Zone or a Stephen King short story. Someone (An editor, perhaps. Did this book have an editor?) should have suggested that Carroll look up "elegant variation" in Fowler's. Much or most of his sentences are j
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Sep 30, 2011
King Dinösaur
rated it: 
The original review I wrote for this book can be found below. Upon re-reading it, there's really not much more to say, except that this time around I wasn't quite as annoyed with the narrator as I was the first time. I think I grasped the plot a little better, too, but there were still too many major things left unexplained, unfortunately. Oh, well, lovers of the fantastic and offbeat could do worse.
***Original Review***
Okay, I finally settled on 3 stars fo More...
***Original Review***
Okay, I finally settled on 3 stars fo More...
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Dec 19, 2008
Julia
rated it:
I'll end up with a slew of Carroll novels--this one came out in America in 1980, so is one of the early ones. Check out Carroll's website www.jonathancarroll.com . Neil Gaiman, who admires Carroll greatly, wrote an introduction for the website which says:
"Jonathan Carroll's a changer. He's one of the special ones, one of the few. He paints the world he sees. He opens a window you did not know was there and invites you to look through it. He gives you his eyes to see with, and h More...
"Jonathan Carroll's a changer. He's one of the special ones, one of the few. He paints the world he sees. He opens a window you did not know was there and invites you to look through it. He gives you his eyes to see with, and h More...
Dec 14, 2011
Rita
rated it: 
The Land of Laughs is a tricky book.
I thought it was pretty close to perfect, until the last ten pages or so; I walked away from the ending dissatisfied -- distressed, even -- and am still trying to work out whether it was a failure on the level of expectation or of writing. Was I thrown because I assumed the narrative would follow traditional, comforting fantasy logic? Or did Jonathan Carroll just write a careless, pulpy, trainwrecky ending?
The novel starts out full of nostalgia and metafiction More...
I thought it was pretty close to perfect, until the last ten pages or so; I walked away from the ending dissatisfied -- distressed, even -- and am still trying to work out whether it was a failure on the level of expectation or of writing. Was I thrown because I assumed the narrative would follow traditional, comforting fantasy logic? Or did Jonathan Carroll just write a careless, pulpy, trainwrecky ending?
The novel starts out full of nostalgia and metafiction More...
Sep 05, 2011
Marta
rated it:
Mój pierwszy kontakt z prozą Jonathana Carrolla miał miejsce przeszło siedem lat temu. Do późnych godzin nocnych i z wypiekami na twarzy zagłębiałam się w „Krainę Chichów”, by zaraz po zakończeniu lektury zaliczyć ją w poczet ulubionych książek. Kiedy sięgałam po nią ponownie, zastanawiałam się przede wszystkim nad tym, jak udało jej się przetrwać próbę czasu i czy za drugim razem będzie w stanie zachwycić mnie równie mocno.
By nie trzymać nikogo w niepewności – „Kraina Chichów” nadal o More...
By nie trzymać nikogo w niepewności – „Kraina Chichów” nadal o More...
Feb 05, 2011
Jeremy Allan
rated it:
I had a difficult time getting invested in this novel, and not because it was a recommendation from my father (hi Dad!). In The Land of Laughs, Jonathan Carroll takes some immediate risks by making it clear early on that the world in which this book is set will not fit neatly as a substitute for the world we live in, though it seems close in many ways. As such, you might liken it to Magical Realism. This is a difficult way to begin a story when faced with a reader who begins every novel with a s
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Feb 01, 2011
Tancredi
rated it:
Il romanzo d'esordio che ha fatto conoscere il genio di Jonathan Carroll al mondo intero. O quasi.
C'è già tutto, di Carroll, tutti gli ingredienti fondamentali del suo particolarissimo stile. E' un trionfo di surreale ed ironia. Soprattutto questa, che rende il libro un po' diverso dalle altre opere di Carroll (soprattutto dal "Sestetto"), spesso più cupe e horror.
La storia è originalissima, fresca, innovativa, assolutamente imprevedibile, fino alle ultime battute.
E' More...
C'è già tutto, di Carroll, tutti gli ingredienti fondamentali del suo particolarissimo stile. E' un trionfo di surreale ed ironia. Soprattutto questa, che rende il libro un po' diverso dalle altre opere di Carroll (soprattutto dal "Sestetto"), spesso più cupe e horror.
La storia è originalissima, fresca, innovativa, assolutamente imprevedibile, fino alle ultime battute.
E' More...
Jan 08, 2011
Kevin
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Apr 05, 2009
Michael
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The Land of Laughs is the subtle sort of slipstream novel where something just itches at your brain; you know things aren't on the level but it's impossible to place precisely what until quite a ways in. Carroll imbues his characters with quirks and humanity. The ending was not one that I would have ever guessed. A very pleasant surprise of a book that shouldn't have sat in my cupboard for as long as it did.
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Nov 16, 2010
Barry
rated it:
A great little book, and an interesting new author for me. After reading Land of Laughs I felt like I had just finished a great short story, yet it was book length. Like a short story it had limited number of characters, one main plot line with little sub-plotting, and a denouement of a few sentences that, though somewhat expected, was the final twist. Like a novel, though, it examined relationships, family issues, and some philosophical questions thrown in, but all without being ponderous or
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May 25, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
I read this book about ten years ago and it is a very beautifully written horror about a town touched by the magic of a children book author, Marshall France. It is like Disneyland on acid and there people might actually fly and talk to animals that might talk back. (That is after being driven insane enough to sit in corners and pull out their teeth with pliers.)
The town itself and the characters are painted with such subtle and luxurious details with white bull terriors with all t More...
The town itself and the characters are painted with such subtle and luxurious details with white bull terriors with all t More...
Aug 30, 2010
David
rated it:
Singular romance de Jonathan Carroll sobre o poder da imaginação. Embora se apresente com um registo inicial que o aproxima da chamada 'fantasia urbana', "The Land of Laughs" vai, progressivamente, ficando mais negro, à medida que a história avança. A trama central relaciona-se com dois fãs de um escritor de livros para crianças, já falecido, que vão ter com a filha deste para lhe pedir permissão para escrever uma biografia. Em pouco tempo se apercebem que a realidade à sua volta, na v
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Jun 21, 2011
Marvin
rated it:
I didn't quite know what to make of this novel when I began reading it because it was so different from any book I'd ever read. It starts off realistically enough with regular, if eccentric people and then creeps into deep fantasy. The novel obviously wasn't meant to be taken too seriously because there doesn't seem to be a moral subtext or agenda. If there was any moral, I suppose it would be to not waste time worrying about death.
The novel is best read straight through so as to i More...
The novel is best read straight through so as to i More...
Dec 06, 2010
Constance
rated it:
Having read his other work, this one definitely reads like an "early" book (I think it was his first). Some serious flaws but overall good.
I still can't figure out how to describe Carroll's writing and what makes it so different and appealing to me even though his stories aren't that good and kind of repeat themselves. All I can think of right now is that his writing is very matter-of-fact, almost non-judgmental. Maybe that's why when he describes something in life in su More...
I still can't figure out how to describe Carroll's writing and what makes it so different and appealing to me even though his stories aren't that good and kind of repeat themselves. All I can think of right now is that his writing is very matter-of-fact, almost non-judgmental. Maybe that's why when he describes something in life in su More...
Jun 10, 2009
Joshua
rated it:
This was an eerie book in a quiet, not knock you on the head way. As you slip further into the story it becomes slightly more off balance until all the odd things are revealed. It kind of reminded me of Shirley Jackson stories--which I'm a big fan of--the way she uses innocent people and situations to set up her tension and suspense. This book by Carroll has that same kind of feel to it.
I'd never read Carroll before but liked this hard to describe book--it's kind of science fiction, k More...
I'd never read Carroll before but liked this hard to describe book--it's kind of science fiction, k More...
Jan 10, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Brilliant.
For most of the book, I had no idea what I was reading. Mystery? Fantasy? Story telling? I did know that I was hooked. I started this book over breakfast Friday morning and had to stop so as not to miss my train. Read it on the train to work, and the train home. Read it once I was home, and woke up to finish it.
Excellent characters, great story, and the perfect amount of reality. I'm definitely getting more books from Jonathan Carroll. More...
For most of the book, I had no idea what I was reading. Mystery? Fantasy? Story telling? I did know that I was hooked. I started this book over breakfast Friday morning and had to stop so as not to miss my train. Read it on the train to work, and the train home. Read it once I was home, and woke up to finish it.
Excellent characters, great story, and the perfect amount of reality. I'm definitely getting more books from Jonathan Carroll. More...
Sep 10, 2011
Blake
rated it:
Thomas Abbey leads an undistinguished, unsatisfying existence. He teaches English at a boy's prep school, but is chiefly known as the son of a glamorous 1940's film actor. He bitterly resents this constant association but feels unable to escape it. For his entire life he's lived in the shadow of his late father and their conflicted relationship. When he was a child, his greatest solace was found in the fanciful books of Marshall France, a reclusive writer who died at forty-four. One day, in an a
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Oct 12, 2008
Craig
rated it:
I had anticipated reading "The Land of Laughs" for months, having had it strongly recommended to me. I finally acquired a copy through eBay and upon beginning the story, found myself utterly drawn in.
The story's protagonist is named Thomas Abbey, who is an English teacher. Thomas grew up in the shadow of his now deceased father, a famous actor. As a result, Thomas has grown from a priveleged son into a self-pitying man. The mere mention of his father sends Thomas into child More...
The story's protagonist is named Thomas Abbey, who is an English teacher. Thomas grew up in the shadow of his now deceased father, a famous actor. As a result, Thomas has grown from a priveleged son into a self-pitying man. The mere mention of his father sends Thomas into child More...
Apr 18, 2009
Nicholas
rated it:
I loved this novel. It was dark and humerous, serious and goofy, right and wrong. I enjoyed everything about this one esp. the flow. Plenty of events to make my mind wonder to make my fingers itching to turn the page. The whole time I was wondering, ‘What’s going to happen next?’.
Thomas Abbey is a great character with real flaws. He is a very powerfully simple character and is not complex but he delivers a commanding blow. Carroll now is one of my favorite authors.
Thomas Abbey is a great character with real flaws. He is a very powerfully simple character and is not complex but he delivers a commanding blow. Carroll now is one of my favorite authors.
Jun 03, 2011
Penelope
rated it:
This was a book that I really wanted to love, I had heard so much about the author and wanted to read this book for ages but I have to say I was disappointed. I think the biggest problem was that I didn't like the main character very much and I found it hard to have any sympathy for him. I will however say that the book has an excellent ending which turns it from a 2 star book in a 3 star one. I will investigate more by this author as I do like his writing style just not this story.
Sep 10, 2011
Steve
rated it: 
I picked this book up mainly because it sat on the bookstore shelf for a couple of years and no one bought it. I bought ery other book around it and finally bought it so the owner would put something else in the spot. It was a mistake. This story is a repeat of an old Twilight Zone episode. An author puts so much life into his characters that they come to life. Been done before, and much better.
Nov 30, 2011
Nicholas
rated it:
Ho...ly...crap...
I just finished this book, and I can't really even think of what to say more than that. This story will needle at my brain for a good while, and I may have to read it once or twice more just to see the many ins and outs that I'm sure I missed. I really can only think of one word to describe the ride on which Jonathan Carroll just took me.
Splendid.
I just finished this book, and I can't really even think of what to say more than that. This story will needle at my brain for a good while, and I may have to read it once or twice more just to see the many ins and outs that I'm sure I missed. I really can only think of one word to describe the ride on which Jonathan Carroll just took me.
Splendid.
Dec 13, 2010
Ami
rated it:
This is the first book I read by Jonathan Carroll; its brilliance made me an instant fan. Carroll's genre is referred to as "fantastic realism," which is an accurate entendre for his style of writing. The interplay of fantasy against the quirky although mundane characters and story lines left me happily scratching my head in joyful disbelief.
Nov 27, 2011
It seems like a pretty straightforward story until everything starts getting really freaking weird. And then it gets weirder. Then weirder. Apparently it's a favorite of Neil Gaiman (which when you read it, you will be like, "Oh yeah, I can see that"), and it's a story that I think will speak particularly to writers. Interesting.
Apr 12, 2009
Mang
rated it:
This kind of story is a typical nightmare.
The real world and unreal looks like a busy cross road in Shanghai. The real 20-tons truck goes straight, the unreal school bus turns right, laughing. Someone had died for over ten years is standing on the sideway, waiting for the traffic light.
Jonathan made a perfect trap.
The real world and unreal looks like a busy cross road in Shanghai. The real 20-tons truck goes straight, the unreal school bus turns right, laughing. Someone had died for over ten years is standing on the sideway, waiting for the traffic light.
Jonathan made a perfect trap.
Mar 22, 2009
Jail
rated it:
The writing style was extremely grating like a bad novel for young adults but I thought it was on purpose until I finished the book.
I did care about the charactors ultimately which is why I guess I sort of liked it. I can see why Neil Gaiman liked it because it's a lot like an overly serious 80's comic book.
I did care about the charactors ultimately which is why I guess I sort of liked it. I can see why Neil Gaiman liked it because it's a lot like an overly serious 80's comic book.
Jan 08, 2012
Evelyn
rated it:
I've been meaning to read this one for ages since it was on the Fantasy Masterlist, but never got around to it until I got hold of the audio book version.
I'm not sure where I thought this book was going, but not where it went. It was different, in a good way. I loved the ending.
I found the narrator really whiny and opinionated, but that just made him seem more real.
I'm not sure where I thought this book was going, but not where it went. It was different, in a good way. I loved the ending.
I found the narrator really whiny and opinionated, but that just made him seem more real.
Jun 21, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
There is a lot to like here. Though for some reason strong realistic characters, an interesting mystery, and a powerful ending wasn't enough to fully capture me. The breezy King style prose put me off a little for some reason. There was nothing technically wrong with it, but I don't think I'll every return to it. It was a solid 3.8 or 3.9 but just doesn't make it into the 4 star range.
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Nov 03, 2011
Jim
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I just finished listening to the newly-released audiobook of The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll. It's been one of my favorite books since I first discovered it a few decades ago and the audiobook doesn't disappoint. It's well read and the story's slow build works as well ever.
