Haroun is of course a very important character. He is the protagonist who embarks on the journey to the sea of stories. His father Rashid is also important as his situation partly drives Haroun's adventure. Then there is Iff, the water - genie who helps Haroun on his journey. And the Walrus, who is one of the antagonists in the story.
Well, there are several key themes. Firstly, the idea of stories as a life - giving force. The sea of stories is like the source of all imagination and creativity. Then, there's the theme of good versus evil, with the forces trying to destroy the sea of stories being the 'evil' and those who fight for it, like Haroun, being the 'good'. And family is a theme. Haroun's journey is in part to reconnect with his father and understand his family better.
It's hard to give an exact page count for Haroun and the Sea of Stories. Different publishers and formats can result in varying page numbers. You might find it ranging from 250 to 350 pages, approximately.
The duration of 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories' play can differ. Sometimes it's around two and a half hours, but it could be shorter or longer depending on the staging and director's choices.
One book like it could be 'The Phantom Tollbooth'. It also has a fantastical adventure with a young protagonist who enters a strange and magical world full of interesting characters and lessons. Another is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' which features a girl's journey through a very peculiar and imaginative realm. And 'The Little Prince' has a similar sense of wonder and exploration of different worlds and ideas.
The characters are key. Haroun is the main character, and his growth and adventures are central. Also, the concept of the Sea of Stories itself is very important. It's a unique and magical setting that drives the whole story.