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Labyrinth
280 pages
A surreal, ticking-clock journey through a world of illusions where childhood ends and responsibility begins.
What it feels like
Reading this novelization feels like stepping back into the golden era of 80s dark fantasy, where the magic is tactile and the monsters have a theatrical charm. The pace is brisk, driven by a relentless thirteen-hour ticking clock that propels the narrative through a surreal, dreamlike landscape. It captures the visual whimsy of Jim Henson's world while offering a deeper, more intimate look into the protagonist's emotional transition from petulant childhood to responsible adulthood. The prose is atmospheric and earnest, translating cinematic illusions into vivid text that explores the seductive danger of wishes and the labyrinthine nature of growing up. It is a nostalgic, enchanting experience perfect for anyone who loves portal fantasies laced with gothic romance and eccentric creatures.
- Mood
- surreal
- dreamlike
- nostalgic
- enchanting
- Tone
- theatrical
- whimsical
- earnest
- slightly dark
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- coming of age · the allure of fantasy · taking responsibility · navigating illusions · the power of words
- The writing
- Descriptive and atmospheric, translating visual puppetry and cinematic magic into vivid, emotionally resonant text.
- The arc
- Moves from petulant escapism through a surreal crucible of challenges to arrive at courageous self-reliance and an acceptance of growing up.
- Who it's for
- Readers who cherish 80s dark fantasy, portal adventures, and stories where the monsters are as charming as they are dangerous.
Content notes
- magical child abduction
- mild fantasy peril
About the book
Back Cover Description: What happens when you wish for something terrible... and your wish comes true? Young Sarah is about to find out. Left at home to mind her baby brother, Toby, she finds herself trying to comfort a screaming infant as a wild storm rages about the house. In a fit of temper, she wishes that the goblins would come and take the child away. Unfortunately, they do.
Sarah then plunges into a whirlwind adventure. If she cannot reach the center of the mysterious Labyrinth within thirteen hours, Jareth—King of the Goblins—will keep Toby forever. In the twists and turns of her dangerous journey to Jareth's castle, she meets an extraordinary variety of strange characters, some more friendly than others. But none of them will be able to help her unless she musters the courage to challenge Jareth—no matter what the odds.
Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and director of Labyrinth, has joined with executive producer George Lucas to take us once again on a fascinating journey into a fantastic world. Labyrinth has been produced by Eric Rattray; the executive supervising producer is David Lazer. Illustrator Brian Froud is the conceptual designer, and the screenplay by Terry Jones is based on a story by Jim Henson and Dennis Lee. A Henson Associates Inc./Lucasfilm Ltd. production, the movie is distributed by Tri-Star Pictures.
A.C.H. Smith, who is also the author of The Dark Crystal and Lady Jane, has captured all the excitement and poetry of a brilliant film in this riveting novel.
Description from Open Library.
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