The Neverending Story, Michael Ende, Doubleday & Company, 1983, 396 pp (originally published by K Thienemanns Verlag, Stuttgart, 1979; translated from the German by Ralph Manheim)
I have been meaning to read this book for years. My blogger friend, Marianne from The Netherlands, mentioned it in a list of Top Ten Books I wish I read as a child and reminded me. I searched it out the next time I was at the library and it became the second children's book I read in June.
The story is fantasy truly in the German fairy tale style. Bastian Balthasar Box is a fat little boy of about 10 years. He is motherless, bullied at school, loves to read and has a somewhat distant father. Kids with missing mothers just go with fantasy, don't they?
One rainy morning on the way to school, Bastian darts into a bookshop to escape the boys chasing him. He meets the curmudgeonly owner and ends up stealing a book while the man isn't looking. Hiding away in the attic of his school, he reads the book and finds himself inside the story. Eventually he becomes a hero in the land of Fantastica and learns many lessons from all sorts of creatures.
The copy I read is exquisite. Each chapter starts with a letter of the alphabet set in a detailed illustration. That letter is the first letter of the first word in the chapter. Whenever Bastian is on earth the type is red, when he is in Fantastica it is green.
The emotional impact is strong. If I had read this at 10 years old, I might have seen the sense in what my parents were trying to teach me about life. Like Bastian, I insisted on figuring that out on my own by reading books. I was also a fearful child and may have gotten over my fears earlier and saved myself a lot of mistakes. But the book did not exist when I was 10.
However, reading it at my advanced age I could appreciate all the philosophy the story carries. It was as deep as any of the books I have read by Herman Hesse. I loved The Neverending Story on every page.
Fantastic commentary. This has also been on my radar for some time. Based on what you wrote above, I think that this book would have also benefited me. When young. I also thought that I had the universe figured out and I loved to read. I really should get to this book soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian. I can't think why I waited so long to read it but I sure am glad I did. Bastian had some Harry Potter characteristics. I wonder, no I bet JK Rowling read this book.
DeleteI wouldn't take that bet because I'm sure you're right. ;) Definitely a book that paved the way for Harry Potter etc.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one! Also the copy you have sounds amazingly beautiful! I'd love to snag me that copy!
ReplyDeleteI found mine at the library in the children's section.
DeleteThat's how the original was and I'm glad they didn't change that in the translation. Would have been such a shame.
DeleteSounds like a lovely read! Glad you enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDeleteIt is and I did!
DeleteMy kids loved this story when they were little and I remember watching the movie with them countless times. It was a very empowering story and the movie was well-done, also.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to know this.
DeleteI'm really sorry to disagree but the movie is one of the best example why books like this shouldn't be made into on. The author himself thought it was so bad that he retracted his name. Maybe, with today's technologies, they could make a better one now but at the time it was just not possible. Also, they end the film when the book more or less starts.
DeleteHowever, I'm happy at least one person enjoyed the film.
How wonderful that you finally read it and loved it just as much as I did. And, as you know, I am no fantasy lover. But this is so much more.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the story had not been written when we were ten. But you explained it so well how it might had helped (probably most of) us bookworms in our childhood. That's why I added it to my list of books I would have loved to read as a child. However, it's never too late.
My review.
Thank you so much for leading me to read it!
DeleteWell, that's so great about our friendship, we always find books for each other. :)
DeleteI've never read the book, but seen the movie many times. I am not even sure I knew it was a book first, as it has been many, many years since I have even watched the movie.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the movie but apparently the book is much better. Those who have seen the movie mostly have liked it well, according to comments here.
DeleteMaybe the movie is alright if you haven't read the book. If you read the book first, you are disappointed because the movie is only the first part of the book, the real adventure begins when the movie ends.
DeleteAnyway, if you loved the movie, you definitely should read the book! Enjoy.
I loved the movies so much as a kid that I was unsure about reading the book, but you make it sound too good to pass up!
ReplyDeleteIf you loved the movies... Really it is worth reading at any age. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
DeleteSee my comment to Sarah above. It's time to read the book. :)
DeleteI'm so pleased to hear you enjoyed this Judy - I have also been meaning to read this for years, as the film is one of childhood favourites.
ReplyDeleteI think you would love the book!
Delete