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The Phantom Tollbooth  By  cover art

The Phantom Tollbooth

By: Norton Juster
Narrated by: Rainn Wilson, Norton Juster
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Publisher's summary

Hailed as "a classic...humorous, full of warmth and real invention" (The New Yorker), this beloved story - first published more than 50 years ago - introduces readers to Milo and his adventures in the Lands Beyond.

For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason!

Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams....

"I read [The Phantom Tollbooth] first when I was 10. I still have the book report I wrote, which began 'This is the best book ever.'" (The New York Times)

"The Phantom Tollbooth is the closest thing we have to a modern Alice in Wonderland." (The Guardian)

"The book lingers long after turning the final page.... A classic indeed." (Los Angeles Review of Books)

©1961 Norton Juster (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"I read The Phantom Tollbooth first when I was 10. I still have the book report I wrote, which began 'This is the best book ever.'" (Anna Quindlen, The New York Times)

The Phantom Tollbooth is the closest thing we have to a modern Alice in Wonderland.” (The Guardian)

"A classic - Humorous, full of warmth, and real invention." (The New Yorker)

“You loved the humor and adventure...and [now] you’ll marvel at [the book's] wit, complexity, and its understanding of how children perceive the passage of time.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


When compiling our list of the best fantasy listening out there, we immediately came up against the age-old question: Is this fantasy or science fiction? The distinction is not as clear as you may think. Dragons, elves, and wizards are definitely fantasy, but what about wizards that also fly space ships? (Looking at you, Star Wars.) For the sake of fantasy purity, the top 100 fantasy listens include the best audio works in all manner of fantasy subgenres.

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What listeners say about The Phantom Tollbooth

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely loved listening to this book!

This will put a smile in your brain. Completely delightful story about a young boy Milo and his adventure with Tock and Humbug. “So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know it’s impossible.”

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    5 out of 5 stars

The character range of such an iconic narrator is addicting

He does fantastic. And the book and writing itself is timeless in its effect on young and old alike

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great

I really loved this book I think you as the listener will enjoy it to



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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My all-time favorite book

Yes. Even now as a 37 year old. I’ve still to read a book that’s given me more pleasure. It’s quirky and clever and cute. Rainn Wilson did an amazing job performing this beloved childhood memory.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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It is a wonderful book

It was so good it made me think of simple things so much differently

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Kingdom of Wisdom awaits

One of my favorites! A funny and sweet story about learning, keeping your eyes open and how not to get bored. Beautifully read, it entranced our daughter in the car. Take the journey with Milo. You won’t regret it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful book!!

Narrator was great. Enjoyed listening with my kids to a great book that was well read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not so silly at it's core

The themes in this book are relevant to listeners of all ages. It seems like such a silly fantasy, and while yes it is quite an imaginative story, each chapter concludes with a meaningful lesson about purpose and wisdom. Rainn Wilson was the perfect voice for this story and I loved that his son Walter got to speak a bit role in it too (a .58 bit to be exact!).

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Beautiful Story

I first heard this book when my 6th grade teacher read it aloud to us. I missed the end then. Almost 50 years later and it was a treat.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Read rather than Listen

Performance was great. Story was good. Word play got confusing at times. Should be read

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