SuitabookThe Palace of Laughter
Jon Berkeley
- Reading
- Check in around the circus, captivity and gang-conflict scenes, especially if clowns or loss are difficult topics. After reading, compare the story’s frightening imagery with its treatment of courage and companionship.
- Themes
- Friendship and loyalty: Miles and Little undertake a rescue, while other characters assist, betray or protect them during the journey. The narrative presents loyalty and friendship as important strengths in dangerous circumstances.
- Power and exploitation: The Great Cortado captures performers and uses a scheme involving laughter, while children are placed in danger by adults. The antagonist’s treatment of others is framed as threatening and harmful rather than as a model to follow.
- Family and belonging: Miles is orphaned, characters are separated from loved ones, and the journey connects people who offer shelter or help. The book presents this favourably.
- Worth knowing
- The book deserves attention if a reader is uneasy around clowns or intense peril. It includes captivity, frightening creatures, fights, threatened children, mind control or hypnotism, and references to smoking and alcohol.