It's in the vein of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in that it's not one long story, but a bunch of short stories linked by the main character. Very enjoyable, but it does run a bit long in some areas.
This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It's silly in a Monty Python kind of way and Well worth a read. I found it at our local library during a random picking books off the shelves visit. It was a donated copy that had been purchased in England- the price tag was still on it.
It really comes off as a children's book with a high vocabulary. It was funny and enjoyable and I mostly loved it. I think I have a few friends who might like this - though it is a little long. The illustrations actually add to it, too, surprisingly. All in all, a delightful book!
A true delight, fully enjoyed by my 8 and 11 year old sons. I read out loud, impressed by the humor (some only adults will "get"), adventure (kept my boys thrilled), artwork, and vocabulary. We all give it 5 stars and plan to pick up another of the author's books tomorrow.
It is a slightly odd book, but enjoyable none the less. Some parts do drag on, but the fantasy part of the book brings out your inner child and the whimsy of creating your own world and adventure.
Instead of Tolkien, I thought it was part Geronimo Stilton, part Herman Melville, part Jasper Fforde, and part Johnny Depp. It was originally written in German, which probably explains everything.