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Amazing Grapes, a new graphic novel from Jules Feiffer, is remarkably reminiscent of the legendary Phantom Tollbooth (for which he did the art).

This surreal story centers on kids Shirley, Pearlie and Curly, as well as Mommy, starting on the day when Pearlie and Curly are swept away on a two-headed swan to explore other dimensions (most of them not terribly nice). Along the way, they befriend guide dog (cat?) Kelly and the monstrous and frequently-dead Lord Muckety Muck, along with a host of nasties from worlds like Feartopia, before being followed years later by Mommy, Shirley, and Shirley's fiancee who is sometimes named Earl.

Is it as good as Phantom Tollbooth? No -- in particular, the story wanders a lot more, and isn't nearly as cohesive. But it's a neat little romp, and worth the read.