Let's Bust a Recap : A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears

The first book I read this year was A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer, and yes it has jumped the line of other recaps I'm still planning to write someday for the sole reason that it is my sister's all-time favorite book, and it is one of my biggest missions in life to never disappoint her in any way. (We don't mind a run-on sentence around here, sorry if you're new.)

A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears was published in 1995 and it's basically the story of Roger, a prince who makes everyone laugh all the time. But not in a good way; more in like a we-can't-be-around-him-for-too-long-or-we-will-literally-die-laughing kind of way. In order to sober him up and make him into a worthy monarch, his father, King Whatchamacallit, recruits the help of J. Wellington Wizard to send Roger on a quest to accomplish the purpose. 

The book starts out very silly. I was mildly amused and there were certain things that put me in mind of my sister's sense of humor. (There was a line about ketchup in particular that made me think, "Did this book shape Sarah's entire personality?") Jules Feiffer's style reminded me a bit of Norton Juster's in The Phantom Tollbooth, just not as clever. But then I realized Feiffer illustrated The Phantom Tollbooth so maybe that's what actually triggered the comparison? Either way, the narrator is an absolute hoot, breaking the fourth wall constantly to explain the story and certain characters to his readers. After a couple chapters of silliness though, I was starting to wonder if we would really get anywhere or if I would even ultimately enjoy the book on the whole. I thought maybe the reason Sarah likes A Barrel of Laughs so much is more for the nostalgia since she's loved it since she was a kid and oh no, what if I have to lie to her about what I think?? because obviously disappointing her to tell her I thought it was ridiculous is not an option (see above). 

But I truly and honestly had nothing to worry about. Sarah's taste is not to be questioned. She is, after all, the one who finally convinced me to read Harry Potter. As Roger's quest went on and he learned to genuinely care for others and their well-being more than just laughing his way through life, I was impressed with the way Feiffer snuck profound truths about life into his book. Because sometimes, people you thought were your friends really do turn against you for no reason and make your life harder. And sometimes, our own deep-seated insecurities and anxieties really can be our worst enemies. We really do need help from others sometimes to tell us the truth and pull us out of the funk of our own making we've descended into. Some days we're soaring, and some days we're barely hanging on. Some days we're rescuing others, and some days we need the rescue. And most importantly, life rarely goes according to plan. It is our response to the life we actually find ourselves in—not the life itself—that will determine our happiness. 

What I'm saying is: A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears is a fantastic book. And now I need to buy my own copy because Sarah lent me hers to read. You should definitely read this book too. Come for the laughs, stay for the reminder that life isn't all bad and it's how you choose to look at it that can make the difference.