The Phantom Tollbooth - Narrated for Hool

It's not the end, it's just the beginning. Be like Milo, as much as anyone can. There's a message for you at the end of this chapter.

Norton doesn't hold back on the good times. Think of the grin on his face as he wrote this chapter.

I wonder if the image of this castle was subconsciously rattling around in my head when I wrote the end of "Trash Mountain". Either way, once you reach the floating castle above the highest mountains, you know it's endgame time.

Please ask me to show you the illustration of the many-adjectived demon in this chapter. It is very funny.

Another warning: we're entering spooky territory. Hold on tight, figurative demons of the human condition are approaching!

I remember sitting on the huge, winding staircase at the Kwo's old house in North Stoke when I read this chapter for the first time.

I struggled with finding a voice for the Dodecahedron; he's a twelve-sided shape. Still not sure what he's an allegory for to be honest.

When I try to explain to people why The Phantom Tollbooth is so good, I tell them about the Island of Conclusions, and how you can only get there by jumping.

I didn't like the Soundkeeper when I was ten. Now I understand her a bit more. I feel sorry for her.

Kind of a mid chapter. A vocal workout though. I think the 'Dynne' is a play on 'Djinn'.

I split this part out because it's my favourite in the whole book. You'll know why.

The allegories in this chapter are a little on-the-nose, but I still like them. It's a children's book, after all. Lots of deep and meaningful messages here.

Time to get weird. We adventuring for real now. Strap in, and get ready to meet the next heightened character (literally).

I'm not sure why I like the Humbug, I just do. He has a cool outfit in the book illustrations, ask me to show you.

Warning: this chapter will make you hungry! Prepare a snack or sweet treat!

Forgive me for not doing the witch's voice for this chapter. My vocal chords were barely holding on. Extreme risk of vocal fry.

Big numbers are always funny. I also think it's funny how Milo and his pals get thrown into jail almost immediately after reaching civilisation.

I remember 10-year-old me trying so hard to picture the words and letters physically in this chapter.

When I was reading this as a kid, I wanted to live in Dictionopolis. I already knew I was good at words, and I loved the idea of a city all about words. I had forgotten about the Spelling Bee until this re-read though; he's kind of lame.

Note: the name of the first character Milo meets is spelled "the Whether Man". I think lots of people get stuck in the Doldrums every day. I love Tock.

I was still adjusting the recording booth setup for this chapter. Milo is really annoying at the start of the book, but he gets much better.