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A review by graylodge_library
The Pagemaster by David Kirschner
5.0
I may not remember everything about my childhood, but whenever I think about books that cemented my love for reading and fictional realities in general, it's always The Pagemaster that rises above all else. It's impossible for me to figure out how many times I've actually read it.
An old-fashioned adventure where a timid boy finds the courage to cross obstacles, with the help of three books come to life, it now seems that it was tailor-made for the younger me. A magical treasure island, Jekyll's claustrophobic abode, pickled brain next to a monster lying on a slab, ghosts, sea adventures, a dragon... There are so many things that have stayed with me throughout my life and maybe even subconsciously affected my reading choices, and a lot of that magic is conjured by the fantastic illustrations. One of them (an angry dragon) brought about a wave of gasps from the boys in my class when I used this in a book report at the age of 7 or 8.
It's impossible to get rid of that particular nostalgic haze when you think about your old favorites, and with that might come the extra nostalgia points when you revisit them, but I'm happy to say that in the case of The Pagemaster I was able to enjoy it just as much as I did when I read it in secret under a blanket after the whole house had gone to sleep. I'm also happy to report that now, as an almost 30-year-old woman, I spotted something I hadn't before: although Richard learns how to enjoy life and gain self-assurance because of the strange events that start happening when he goes to the library, you don't need to actually get kidnapped by pirates to find a way to fulfillment and adventure in ordinary everyday life. A bit of imaginary fairy dust makes you breathe easier, but overdosing on it will make you forget all the nice things outside the fictional world.
An old-fashioned adventure where a timid boy finds the courage to cross obstacles, with the help of three books come to life, it now seems that it was tailor-made for the younger me. A magical treasure island, Jekyll's claustrophobic abode, pickled brain next to a monster lying on a slab, ghosts, sea adventures, a dragon... There are so many things that have stayed with me throughout my life and maybe even subconsciously affected my reading choices, and a lot of that magic is conjured by the fantastic illustrations. One of them (an angry dragon) brought about a wave of gasps from the boys in my class when I used this in a book report at the age of 7 or 8.
It's impossible to get rid of that particular nostalgic haze when you think about your old favorites, and with that might come the extra nostalgia points when you revisit them, but I'm happy to say that in the case of The Pagemaster I was able to enjoy it just as much as I did when I read it in secret under a blanket after the whole house had gone to sleep. I'm also happy to report that now, as an almost 30-year-old woman, I spotted something I hadn't before: although Richard learns how to enjoy life and gain self-assurance because of the strange events that start happening when he goes to the library, you don't need to actually get kidnapped by pirates to find a way to fulfillment and adventure in ordinary everyday life. A bit of imaginary fairy dust makes you breathe easier, but overdosing on it will make you forget all the nice things outside the fictional world.
In the darkness of the tree house something stirred - the sound of pages rustling. - - - Adventure looked around and took a deep breath. "Do ye smell it? Breathe it in, mates!" He thrust his sword in the air. "Now this be the land of Adventure!"