My feelings about this book were all over the map as I read; sometimes, I found myself annoyed, sometimes I was giggling and completely delighted, sometimes I was bored, sometimes I marveled at Juster's genius. So, it's a very difficult book for me to assign a rating to as some parts I loved and some parts I didn't. Overall, though, I understand why this is such an enduring classic and I'm very glad I read it.

Even so, I'm not exactly sure who the audience for this book is meant to be; or maybe just that there are many different levels to appreciate it, enjoying different elements at different ages? We have a child protagonist, but for most of the book I didn't find him particularly interesting or easy to relate to; he seemed almost a blank slate, and perhaps this was the point, so that we could all be Milos, wandering through the marvelous lands on the other side of the Phantom Tollbooth. But, I think that children (at least, today's children) are more used to books with a strong character that we root for and that has a very clear personality. (Maybe I shouldn't generalize about all kids, though, and just talk about those like me; I think my mom, so good about exposing us to great literature, tried reading this to me as a kid and I didn't get into it.) Also, I am not sure that most children today will grasp all of the wordplay going on in this book (the Senses Taker, for example) nor all the various deeper meanings and how and why they are so relevant to our real world (such as all the demons like Gross Exaggeration and Hopping Hindsight). Not that any of this is the fault of the book, but I did wonder a bit at it being known as a children's classic when, I think, adults will get more out of it. I am interested to hear from those who read it as a child what they related to; maybe the quest for the princesses or the fun side characters like Tock and the Humbug? Or maybe some lucky children were able to appreciate all the wordplay, too. I agree with the New York Times review that stated, "Juster's amazing fantasy has something wonderful for anybody old enough to relish the allegorical wisdom of 'Alice in Wonderland' and the pointed whimsy of 'The Wizard of Oz'."

I really loved some of the chapters and characters; they were so funny and amusing and I found myself nodding in agreement at all the little life lessons they so skillfully and subtly conveyed. Some characters were just plan delightful, such as all the members of the cabinet. And Tock was so endearing! Some, however, were more frustrating or annoying for me, such as the Confusion in the Marketplace, and the Silent Valley (I wonder what deaf people think when they read that chapter?). A few of the little side scenarios were very fun, like the Jumping to Conclusions (hilarious!) but the little bit with the man who was a Giant/Midget/Fat/Thin etc. just bored me.

As I read, I wished I had bought the book rather than got it from the library so I could highlight the many parts I loved and the fabulous quotes; so wise and witty! I think, though, that was part of my occasional frustration with the story in that sometimes I felt too much like I was being taught and not enough that I was fully involved in a story that really captivated me and wound me up in its magic. I think, though, this is party due to my taste in books as I'm not usually one to enjoy the little segments like this (admittedly, I was not a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland and the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, either (though I loved the movie!)) and usually prefer a stronger plot.

Minor frustrations aside, I still really enjoyed the book overall, even if I wasn't super compelled to pick it up each day. And I loved the ending; the chapters beginning with Castle in the Air were just lovely and brought together all the plot and character dynamics I had been hoping for throughout the book. And the last two pages; wow! I think I should copy those out to look back at them often, any time I am feeling less than inspired with life, and remember how glorious it all is!

This is so clever and so much fun to read. A delight for children *or adults* of all ages.

4.5 stars

In a nutshell, this holds up really well upon reread. The wordplay is somehow even more clever than I remember, the characters are as lovable as ever, and for me the whole thing is just wrapped up in so many fond memories of reading out loud with my little brother.

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n  CONVERSIONn: 13.35 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 9 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 10 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5

I can't believe I didn't read this sooner! I have the feeling this would have been a childhood favorite.

It's got that classic, cozy feeling of books from another age, yet it still applies so well to the present. All the whimsical humor and deep truths herald back to another favorite classic of mine, Alice in Wonderland.

It's a story packed full of great messages. The fun characters, vibrant setting, sharp wit, and charming illustrations make this a classic for a reason.

What else can I say about this? Oh yes...WHEN CAN I REREAD IT??

5 stars!

I hated this when I was younger because I’ve never been one for fantasy. Now that I am older, I understand better what he was trying to do. It’s like Alive and Wonderland meets The Pilgrim’s Progress. Buster surely was a genius, creating characters for different phrases and attitudes that we have. However, I still am not on board with the whole fantasy aspect. Hence the 3 stars.

Having spent much of this winter in less than wonderful health, I have been happily accepting donations of reading material from friends. One friend, on a lark, dropped off her copy of this old classic, which I last read probably at age 13 or so.

In re-reading it, I was reminded of the ambivalence I had about it on my first read back then. The level of cleverness is indeed impressive, at times dazzling, and for certain there are some fantastically humorous moments. It is also nice to read a morality tale with a message not of piety or "thou shalt nots," but rather of the fundamental importance of knowledge and openness to the lessons the world has to teach. At that, there is no doubt that this book has a beautiful heart, and I can hardly imagine any youth being anything but positively influenced by it.

That being said, more than once on this read, I was reminded of Edgar Allen Poe's famously ruthless critique of allegory as a literary style: "The best than can possibly be achieved is awakening in the reader a vague sense of being impressed by how well something was done that never should have been attempted in the first place." Certainly, there are times when Juster's allegorical style is strained and even forced to the point of being a tedious read. It is probably a price worth paying on a first read of the book for the many lovely things the story has to offer, but also a very good reason to read The Phantom Tollbooth only once in one's life.

Kind of a cross between Lewis Carroll and Terry Pratchett, this amusing child's fantasy is based on puns and figures of speech taken literally. The story is simplistic enough to amuse children but most of the humor would go right over most children's heads. It's fun for adults, too, as I've learned by re-reading it now. It's a true classic as it's just as entertaining and apt now as when it was written nearly 50 years ago.

On of my favorite books ever.

After reading this book, I've decided that whosoever drilled it into our heads about puns being the basest form of humour can go screw himself. (no pun intended)

I remember our class starting this in 5th grade, but we never finished. Really clever and fun, especially considering the time it was published.

I came to this book as an adult, though I remember seeing it in many libraries over many years. It’s a portal story about a boy, Milo, when he’s feeling at loose ends. Then a tollbooth shows up in his room, granting him access to a silly, mixed up, other world with fantastically named people and creatures.
Norton Juster’s story has Milo experiencing the Doldrums, getting thrown into jail in a city by a short police officer named Shrift, encountering a boy who’s .58 of a person, and several other amazing incidents.
Milo’s accompanied by a wonderful dog who’s part clock, and has another companion, Humbug, who’s somewhat nervous, but does venture through many dangers and whimsical encounters with Milo, and together the three rescue the imprisoned princesses Rhyme and Reason after the two kings of Wisdom sent them away.
The wordplay is funny and clever, and I particularly loved how the author didn’t simplify or dumb down his text for his audience. There is also, through the names and satirical situations, a clever dialogue with his readers, asking them to not be complacent, to think critically and to reason.
While this wasn’t the transformative text for me that it was for other writers who provide their thoughts on this classic in the afterward in my copy of the book, it was a diverting and amusing read.

they’re giving out bagfuls of pronouns to children in this. would recommend. i’ll take some to go.