The 13 Clocks by James Thurber

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The 13 Clocks
by James Thurber

I spotted this at the library and took it home to read; I hadn't realized that James Thurber wrote stories for kids. But as the introduction by Neil Gaiman proves, this book isn't just for kids. It's for everyone who needs a little magic and wonder and humor. This book delivers that in so many ways. It's the story of a princess, the Duke who is holding her captive (and in love with her), and the one brave prince able to rescue her. Sure, that's a pretty typical fairy tale setup. However, everything is flipped and twisted in a fun, creative way. Plus there's a Golux.

"Who are you?" the minstrel asked.
"I am the Golux," said the Golux, proudly, "the only Golux in the world, and not a mere Device."
"You resemble one," the minstrel said, "as Saralinda resembles the rose."
"I resemble only half the things I say I don't," the Golux said. "The other half resemble me." He sighed. "I must always be on hand when people are in peril."
"My peril is my own," the minstrel said.
"Half of it is yours and half is Saralinda's."
"I hadn't thought of that," the minstrel said.

I expected to laugh, because Neil Gaiman said the story was funny. But it was also engaging and fun and clever. As someone who loves fairy tales, this was a fantastic read.