Monday, July 3, 2017

The 13 Clocks / James Thurber


I needed a palate cleanser  -  and I also needed to read and get rid of a bunch of TBR books.  The 13 Clocks is only 124 pages long, with wide spacing and fairly large print.  And illustrations I like by Marc Simont.  This was the book to read today.

I've loved James Thurber since junior high.  I love his silliness, his sometimes bizarre illustrations and sense of humor.  He doesn't disappoint in The 13 Clocks.  It's a standard fairy tale:  a prince disguised as a minstrel wants to marry a princess locked in a castle by her evil guardian.  The guardian sets impossible tasks for her suitors and, when they fail, kills them.

Our prince is aided by a Golux, who may or may not be helpful.  Not everyone is who they seem to be.  The Golux helps the prince with his task:  to find 1,000 jewels and return with them when the clocks strike 5.  But the 13 clocks have all stopped at 10 minutes to 5, so they'll never strike 5.  Or will they?

Thurber loves to play with words, to make them up, to use them in rhymes.  He does all in The 13 Clocks.



As a bonus, below is the charming (and odd, really, a Santa frog?) and appropriate gift bookmark I found inside.





8 comments:

  1. This book is on my classics list to read (which I am far behind on). I need to find a nice copy like this one.

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    1. This copy is only a paperback, but if you'd like it, send me your address and I'll mail it to you. My e-mail is joanehkyler@gmail.com

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    2. That is a very kind offer, Joan. I am sorry to take so long to reply. I will email you soon.

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    3. At your convenience, Tracy. I've put the book aside for you.

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  2. I love the illustrations, I don't think I would want to get rid of the book if I were you.

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    1. I just can't keep them all. I'm not normally a re-reader, so unless a book is really special in one way or another, off it goes.

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  3. I have never read Thurber before and I always mean to. This on looks like so much fun. Love the illustrations! And that bookmark with the Santa frog cracked me up! Not just a hat but a beard too! :D

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    1. That book mark cracked me up, too. How original! I've enjoyed Thurber since I was in junior high. He's well known for his odd and comical cartoons. You should give him a try.

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