Like Neil Gaiman reimagining Stephen King (but funny)Don't judge this book by its opening paragraphs which parody the worst of fantasy fiction; judge it by the rest of the book that skillfully mingles the disappointments of everyday reality with the possibility of escape to another world through the world of writing. The lead character is perfectly confused as he enters the castle of the book-crazed witch. A lot of stories struggle to show how a regular person might feel when thrown into a world where the normal rules don't apply but this one pulls it off. A fast, funny and occasionally furious ride into a domain of witches, bears and irritating tourists. Recommended.