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Author Jules Feiffer booklist (click here)

Book Review By Sarah Bastin
A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer

Roger is a prince who makes anyone who comes into contact with him laugh uncontrollably. So, J. Wellington Wizard decides to send Roger on a quest. He gives him a bag of magic powder that turns Roger into a random animal or object each time he uses it; whenever Roger is transformed, he does not cause people to laugh (it is the only way they can come into close contact with him).

And so Roger goes on his quest, journeying through the Forever Forest, the Mountain of Malice, the Sea of Screams, and other fantastical locales, all the while using his magic powder. On the way, he befriends a hunter named Tom, but their friendship ends and Tom seeks revenge after Roger inadvertently leaves him behind in the Forever Forest.

Tom tries to get back at Roger the only way he can: By destroying Roger's quest. In the process, Tom ends up kidnapping the woman Roger has fallen in love with on his journey, Lady Sadie, and it is up to Roger to save her.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - humorous or laughable
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Parody Yes
Lifeform altered? Yes
Kind of alteration:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 70 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a teen

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Dumb

Setting
Terrain
Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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