The Land of Laughs Paperback – February 10, 2001

I Love this Novel, but Reading It Again I Found it Mildly Problematic On Occasion. The only reason I'm Writing this Review is so maybe someone much younger who might really dig it, will actually read it. Ignore a few false notes.

Thomas Abbey, a schoolteacher, who says he doesn't know what a gerund is, decides to quit teaching and write a biography of his favorite writer, Marshall France, a writer of children's tales, who died at forty-four. France is his obsession and this obsession forms the impetus of the novel, "The land of Laughs," Carroll's first, published in 1980.Obsession, by a reader, for a writer is a prevalent device in modern literature. Recent examples include Roberto Bolano's 2666 and Lev Grossman's The Magicians. However, in this novel, obsession and writing combine to create a fantasy world, where the artist is the creator and the puppet-master. In fact, puppets and manipulation are major tropes in the work, where France, the demi-urge, created and orchestrated not only the fictional lives of his creations but even the citizens of his hometown of Galen, Missouri.The novel begins with Abbey's finding a rare copy of France's The Green Dog's Sorrow. However, the fly in the ointment is that someone else has already purchased the book, placed it on hold until she can raise the requisite cash. Thus begins the meeting of Saxony Gardner and Thomas Abbey and the first steps of the incredible tale of The Land of Laughs.Saxony collects and carves marionettes and reads the novels of Marshall France; whereas, Abbey collects masks and reads Marshall France. He is also the son of the very famous actor, Stephen Abbey, who died in a tragic airplane crash. Soon after their meeting, it becomes apparent that Thomas needs Saxony's ability as a researcher and editor and she needs his creative ability, his power to create descriptions that bring the subject alive. Together, they leave their home in Connecticut and drive cross country to Galen, Missouri. During the trip they fall in love.Carroll's description of their romance is very realistic; and, although Thomas is a bit of "dick," I found the scenes between Sax and Thomas believable and realistic. This was made more poignant to me because I had just finished reading three novels by Douglas Kennedy and two by Jim Butcher, who both seem incapable of writing a believable love scene.Once the two reach Galen, realty begins to immediately warp into a world, less than real, a world perhaps more literary than literal. Galen seems to be ruled by Anna France, Marshall's daughter, who unexpectedly takes a real interest in Thomas. She accepts him as her father's potential biographer and sets a task for him to complete: write the first chapter of the biography.Carroll's novel, although surreal, seems based on reality. Part of this stems from his use of the first person. Somewhat like Borges, the weirder things become the more realistic and prosaic the language.Ultimately, "The Land of Laughs" is meta-fiction. It is a book about writing and the creative process. It is also a book about readers, who even after the death of their favorite authors, continue to generate creative energy that enlivens the works and characters of their beloved stories.

I often think that no one ever feels more like god than the author of a novel. An author creates characters, gives them their destiny, essence, their very souls; creates places and events for them to experience. In THE LAND OF LAUGHS, Jonathan Carroll’s fictional author Marshall France goes way beyond that because he populates an entire town with characters who come to life. Next, he defines each person’s destiny, and even their afterlife. The town is Galen, Missouri. The citizens are - for the most part - humble, and their lives are really pleasant, though uneventful. They have no afterlife. All is good until France dies. He thinks he’s planned it all out for everyone… written journals that detail the rest of their lives after he’s gone. They all know everything about themselves and are happy with that. Then things start going wrong. Enter our hero.Thomas Abby doesn’t know about any of this, all he knows is that he loves the works of Marshall France, thinks France is the greatest writer who has ever lived. Wants to write his biography. He has a relationship with a young woman, another “Francophile” named Saxony. Together they go to Galen seeking permission to write the bio. The author’s daughter, Anna, turns out to be sweet, charming, sexy, seductive and very willing to let Thomas tell her father’s story. Abby dives into it enthusiastically, and that’s when things in the little town start to become unusual, then mysterious, and then deadly dangerous.Carroll uses an unassuming narrative style that feels right in describing the rural life of a Midwestern town. Thomas Abby is quite direct in confiding his initial excitement and later his confusion, ambivalence, and growing fears. The inventive plot-surprises suck you in and keep you turning pages. There are moments of simple but amazing hilarity. But above all, it’s the characters and their interaction in the face of a topsy-turvy world that are so entertaining.The godlike nature of authors is something a lot of authors like to write about, of course. The idea that their characters become real isn’t new either. What is unique here are the characters themselves, their seemingly straightforward uncomplicated relationships that you just don’t understand fully until the very end. Also, the events are surprisingly unexpected, never seem to add up but finally do… perfectly. THE LAND OF LAUGHS is a very easy and rewarding read, one that’s very difficult to put down or stop thinking about.

I'm not enamoured of fantasy but this began with a realistic edge as the story of Thomas, an English teacher who is enraptured by the work of a Saint Expury sound-alike, Marshall France, whose fantasy works have haunted his childhood. He travels with a kookie friend called Saxony, to Galen, the small town in where Marshall France was born. He wants to write a biography of France's life, and although he has been warned that France's daughter Anna is hostile to such biographer wannabes, he is surprised to find himself welcomed and slowly drawn into the life of the town. Anna, France's attractive daughter, encourages him, and he gradually learns that - well, I'd better not say what happens after that. The result of his experiences begin to tie him inexorably to the work he is producing. Bull terriers feature a lot and so does sexual activitiy, first with Saxony, and then with Anna, though there is little in the way of erotic description. The plot is a wonder, though I feel you have to like the fantasy genre to get the full impact out of this seductive and adventurous book. As the novel progresses it becomes subtley more attractive as a read. Though it does test one's ability to suspend disbelief. It's a book that you might start out dismissing and then slowly succumb as the events suck you into the story. I ended by enjoying it enormously. Only 241 pages, and well worth your time.

This is a great fantasy book but the fantasy element isnt overplayed, I could best describe the fantasy element as a fairy tale for adults but like I say this in many ways doesnt take centre stage in the story telling.There is some very, very excellent characterisation in this novel, its a great book of human relations with lots of literary musings on relationships, reflection on feelings, thoughts and action, not least of which are living in the shadow of the great achievements of others, writing and a great love story.The central male character is anything but heroic, in fact he's pretty weak and surrounded by stronger women, however you dont ever lose sympathy for him and this works well when some pretty nuanced menace and terror creeps into the plotline.I have to say that there is a real punch in the finish, straight-up human horror, gut wrenching in its simplicity and you share the mix of emotions that it throws up for the characters. However the book doesnt end there, from the shock and awe it progresses to an epilogue which is as uplifting as it is perfect in its economy of words.I found this book really easy reading, I was sorry when it came to a finish and it was time to say goodbye to the characters, and I'd recommend it to any fans of mind bending fiction like Philip K. Dick's novels, specifically Time Out of Joint or The Cosmic Puppets. It's also a major book for book lovers as the story begins with the meeting of too total bibliophiles. Excellent.

Where it all began for Jonathan Carroll. Many years after first reading it, I bought this for a friend, who was similarly mind boggled by what the author achieves. Carroll is a writers writer, meaning he is unlikely to ever write a blockbuster all action epic, but does produce considered, often superbly written works, with brilliant characterization and a deceptive amount of depth. Yet, the work remains very accessible, and should not be thought of a some highbrow exercise in literary clever dickery.The end scene, especially, will stay with you for a while.

Jonathan Carroll's books dont seem to be that popular in the English speaking world - I find it amusing that Easter Europe on the other hand, is in actual love with his work.This sttory is simply magical, good read, intresting characters. you will not be able to put it down.

Book arrived really quickly,in minimal packaging. Great condition. Very happy with my purchase. It's a cracking story too. It's great to be able to save then enjoy ..