The Thirteen Clocks || frozen time in time frozen...
Written: Mar 24 '08
Product Rating:
Pros: Seemingly one of a kind. Nothing like it would be written today.
Cons: You have to actively engage yourself and your imagination in the story to enjoy it.
The Bottom Line: A unique, one-of-a-kind story story that stimulates rather than satiates, that challenges rather than placates, that rewards rather than indulges.
sleeper54's Full Review: James Thurber - The 13 Clocks
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It is not at all clear who the targeted reader of The Thirteen Clocks is.
Before we read we notice the font is large; the word count short for ten dozen pages; the pictures amusing, colorful, unusual ...if not a bit scary at turns.
After we read we know of a minstrel and a Duke, a Princess and a Todal. (What is a Todal..?? Do not ask. Just know that author Thurber playfully teases—or is he teasing..??—of having nightmares about the Todal.) We know there are spies and strong guards and children dead, jewels and tears. We know of the Golux and puzzle out the riddles and wordplay.
We have all heard the tale of the secretive Prince rescuing his imprisoned Princess, held captive by the cold and unloving heart of an evil Duke. We have all heard the story of a castle so evil that time seems to stand still, where clocks grind to a halt, frozen in time. We have all heard the tale of an onerous challenge placed on a young Prince and all the mysterious characters who help and hinder.
But never have we heard it told as Thurber tells it here.
Is this a 'fractured fairy tale' or a 'grown-up' story for the serious adult..?? Is this a story for the simple word-lover ...or a story for those who enjoy the intricate skill of a writer shaping words, phrases, and ideas in unimagined ways..??
I suppose The Thirteen Clocks is all these and more. It is a story for those who seek to love a Princess, who seek to punish a cold Duke, who seek to be–just once–a Prince, who seek to live happily ever after. For as the publishers tell us in the book cover blurb: "...too little of this is going on in the world today. But all of it is going on valorously in The Thirteen Clocks."
Who is this story written for..?? That seems to be the central question. Fairy-tale-bloody, complexly written, with creatures seemingly from the dark side of Dr. Seuss; The Thirteen Clocks was written and published before Potter, before Star Wars, before most science fiction, before widespread TV usage. Somehow, I think the average middle school or high school student of those years would have been drawn into this odd tale. While today, I fear it would be too challenging for the average student and too tame for the pop-culture sated youth of today.
The Bottom Line
This would be a good book to challenge your older child's sense of imagination and skill at wordplay.
In a day and age where our imaginations are painted wall-to-wall for us and humor is nothing if not puerile and profligate The Thirteen Clocks just might be that simpler pleasure from a simpler time you have been seeking.
This review is also an entry to fellow user laurashrti's "National Library Week Write-Off". Our local public library is one of my most tangible assets that I realize from all the tax dollars I contribute to my home town. It is a great resource for finding new items and expanding one's mind and heart.
I urge you to 'check out' Laura's write-off and add your own celebratory thoughts and reviews to the event.
General Fiction - With the help of his magical protector, Golux, Prince Zorna performs impossible tasks to win the hand of Princess Saralina. - The Th...More at Barnes and Noble
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