The Phantom Tollbooth

A good friend once gave me a book - The Phantom TollBooth as a present for my birthday. In fact, here's what he wrote in the book -

"Zen, this book got to me more than most other books I've read. I hope it reaches you as much as it did to me. Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday. Mark, 271207."


Haha, yup! It's now 2009 and this is my first time reading the book. Sorry Marky... It got left in my book cupboard and somehow my must-read list kept growing until I discovered this gem again in my cupboard.

But I must say that it is really a very interesting read. One day into the book and I'm on page 70.

It is rather cleverly written and it reminds me of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton all at once... Reminds me of "Mathilda", "Alice in Wonderland" & "The Magic Faraway Tree" all at the same time. There's lots of word play (figuratively and literally) and imagery involved and to me, it's highly entertaining.

Nothing speaks louder than some excerpts from the book itself...

"I wonder where I am," said Milo in a very worried tone.
"You're... in... the... Dol... drums," wailed a voice that sounded far away.
He looked around quickly to see who had spoken. No one was there, and it was as quiet and still as one could imagine.
"Yes... the... Dol.. drums," yawned another voice, but still he saw no one.
"WHAT ARE THE DOLDRUMS?" he cried loudly, and tried very hard to see who would answer this time.
"The Doldrums, my friend, are where nothing every happens and nothing every changes."

Another one...

"Most people are just too lazy to make their words," he continued, "but it's much more fun." (says a words sales man).
"Is it difficult? I'm not much good at making words," admitted Milo, spitting the pits from a P.
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance - a-s-s-i-s-t-a-n-c-e," buzzed an unfamiliar voice, and when Milo looked up he saw an enormous bee, at least twice his size, sitting on top of the wagon.
"I am the Spelling Bee," announced the Spelling bee. "Don't be alarmed - a-l-a-r-m-e-d."

So, I think everyone who was ever interested in childhood stories and fantasy, should pick this book up reminisce and enjoy.

Looking forward to the rest of the book... definitely - D-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.

Eat, Pray, Love...

Have been trying to squeeze in time to read the book whenever I can, during 'leisure'... But as you might have been able to tell, there's not much time for leisure given that I'm still reading this book after 3 weeks.

Whatever time I have when I'm not at work, I was definitely not at home and 'Eat, Love, Pray' was a book intended for home... However, this book has been most insightful and thoughtful... literally...

Just to share one part of it. Or bits and parts of it rather, to make a 'story' out of what I would like to share - Part 16:

Depression and Loneliness tracked me down after about 10 days in Italy....

They come upon me, all silent and menacing like Pinkerton Dectectives, and they flank me - Depression on my left, Loneliness on my right. They don't need to show me their badges. I know these guys very well. We've been playing a cat-and-mouse game for years now. Though I am surprised to meet them in this elegant Italian garden at dusk. This is no place they belong....

I say to them, "How did you find me here? Who told you I had come to Rome?".....

"It's not fair of you to come here," I tell Depression. "I paid you off already. I served my time back in New York."

But he just gives me that dark smile, settles into my favorite chair, puts his feet on my table and lights a cigar, filling the place with his awful smoke.

Loneliness watches and sigh, then climbs into my bed and pulls the covers over himself, fully dressed, shoes and all. He's going to make me sleep with him again tonight, I just know it.

--------------

I loved the way she described it with such analogies.

After reading this portion of the book, I'm glad that Depression and Loneliness have taken sabbatical leave and have gone on a world tour at this point in my life. And I hope that they won't come a-knocking on my door anytime soon... =)