The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
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Book Reviews of The Neverending Story
Book Review: The movie will never be enough again.
Summary: 5 Stars
Like many people, I first knew about The Neverending Story through the movie. At first, I didn't even know about the book. Then I didn't really care. After all, how many of you actually care to read the book of every movie you might have seen?
But lately out of a bit of nostalgia, I went back through my video library and watched the first and second movie. Still craving more, I decided to bite the bullet and order this book. I'm glad I did.
As I'm sure you've read from other reviews, the first movie barely covers half of the book. Even then, at the end of the movie it started to stray way off of what the book had. The second movie just borrowed a few characters and one or two of the plot devices and went its own way. As much as I may love the movies, they pale in comparison to what is in the book. The book is richer and a lot deeper than the movies. There are key concepts and morals that never made their way into the films, too many to go into in this review. But over all, the first movie seemed to try to just get the story that was in the book while missing the whole point of why the story is important in the first place. The second movie didn't even bother to do that much. If you like the movies you really owe it to yourself to read this book.
I would also suggest getting this hardback version. I've seen the paperback at a local bookstore. The cover is nowhere near as pretty. It's missing all of the beautifully drawn illustrations that this one has. Above all, the duo-colored lettering adds so much to the reading. Michael Ende does a lot of clever little things that help draw the reader into experiencing this book more than simply reading it. A lot of what he does includes the lettering and the many illustrations that are found in this book. It's worth getting the hard cover version just for the way it deepens the experience. You won't regret it.
Book Review: A fantasy like none other.
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was eight years old I remember watching the movie based on this book, The Neverending Story, over and over again, being enchanted by Bastians journey through a magical book. Five years later, after reading the book, I never wanted to see the movie again. The movie was like a disgraceful Tim Allen christmas movie compared to the original book.
When I was thirteen, I hated reading. I rarely did my reading response journals for school, and I would probably read about three books a year, not reaching my 25 book goal for school. After I got suspended for throwing a pencil at someone, I was put into a quiet room with nothing to do for five days. To make time fly, I started reading during the suspention.
I first read old yeller, then an abriged version of Tom Sawyer. I caught an interest in reading at that time, but It certainly wouldnt have lasted if I havent come across The Neverending Story during my suspention. I remember reading it both in school, and at home. No matter where I read the book, I was spellbound. It was Impossible to put the book down.
Reading this book was like walking through peoples dreams because it was so enchanting. Each word would paint a dreamlike picture and keep me reading. When I was done reading this book, I knew for a fact, that my life was changed forever. Simply because I read this book, I now read every single day, and I dream of becoming a published author (And a songwriter as well).
I have read many fantasy books, and many that you may know. Yet I know for a fact that none of them are as half as good as this book. This is a book for everyone, and for all ages. In fact I beleive adults may need this spellbinding fantasy as much as teenagers do. I guarantee that if you read this book, your life will be changed like mine was.
Book Review: Neverending Story Review
Summary: 5 Stars
The book I read is called the "Neverending Story", an adventure story where a boy named Bastian, a weakling, scaredy-cat, and failure. One day he steals a book from a small bookshop where he was hiding and ran away to school, where he sneaked into the school attic. He began reading and found out that in the book, a dark force called "The Nothing" was consuming a world called Fantastica. At the heart of Fantastica is the Ivory Tower, where the people gathered to discuss the situation. They called upon Atreyu, a plains warrior, to find a cure for the Empress, the only one that can save Fantastica. Atreyu had many difficulties, faced dangers, met friends, and almost got consumed by The Nothing. He ended up back at the Ivory Tower when the remains of Fantastica where in utter space. Bastian was able to communicate to the Empress and saved Fantastica from total destruction. Bastian was granted as many wishes as he wanted, so he restored Fantastica, rode on the white dragon Falcor, and was able to ride him on Earth.
I thought this book was influential because it taught me more about Intellectual Perseverance, to never give up, no matter the situation. Before I read this book I thought it would be boring and long, considering the title. But after I read it, I was glad I got the book. This book told me that all people have dreams and a meaning in life. I learned that sometimes you have to sacrifice some things for others, no matter how hard it may be. The style of this book is unique not only because of the story but how the chapters are made. There are 26 chapters, every chapter starting with a big letter in the alphabet on the beginning page, decorated to describe the chapter's main idea. "The Neverending Story" is a very touching book that will inspire many.
Book Review: MUCH more than just a wonderfully written book!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I got my copy of the "Neverending Story" in last week, I dove for it right away. I had been dying to read it forever. But it's not what was in it that first grabbed my attention. The print is in two different colors: a beautiful maroon for stories relating to the Human world, and a vivid emerald for anything relating to Fantasia. Furthermore, each chapter begins with a full-page with a single letter on it. (The first chapter "A", the last chapter "Z," you get the idea). Add that to the beautiful cover and simple, yet detailed illustrations, and you have one of the best put-together books ever written.Now, on to the actual story. "The NeverEnding Story" tells the story of Bastian Balthaazar Bux, an outcast trying to get over the shock of losing his mother. One morning, while running from the local bullies, he ducks into a bookstore. He finds a book there that literally calls out to him. Even though his conscience tries to dissuede him, he steals the book and has the urge to read it right away! What he finds in the book is an adventure most unlike any of the others he is used to finding in books. Things seem SO real! He can practically SEE each character, SMELL the earth, TASTE the seedcakes, HEAR the wind, and FEEL the cold. As things go along, he knows it is silly, but he somehow feels a part of the NeverEnding story....
Although this book was written in the 1980's, it has definitely stood the test of time. Michael Ende proves himself as one of the top fantasy writers. Like Bastian, you can almost imagine you are there. If you love books like "Chronicles of Narnia," "Harry Potter," and "The Princess Bride," PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book!
Book Review: The book of books!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The book of books!" This quote from The Neverending Story says it all, as I've never come across another book like it! Its engrossing plot (told using two different colors of ink in hardcover editions!) follows the story of poor unwanted Bastian Balthazar Bux (printed in red) who is "found" by a copper-colored, silk-bound book, titled The Neverending Story, which he begins to read while locked up in his school's attic. As Bastian reads the story of the heroic Atreyu (printed in green) and a Great Quest to save his dying world of Fantastica and its Childlike Empress, he has no idea that he is also a character in a book! (It makes you wonder, huh?) The Neverending Story is filled with unbelievably imaginative characters such as Grograman the Fire Lion, the Old Man of Wandering Mountain, Querquobad the Silver Sage, and Ygramul, "the horror of horrors!" to name just a handful! And not only are the characters and plot creative, but the book itself is as well! It is printed entirely in colored ink as I have mentioned, plus it has 26 chapters - each one beginning with a letter of the alphabet! Each chapter begins with a magnificent illustration (also in only red and green ink in the hardcover edition) around the first letter! How did he think of that?! But perhaps the best thing about The Neverending Story is what you get out of it. You cannot read it without looking at the nature of wishes, imagination, and love differently from that point forward, no matter what your age is. The Neverending Story is, as you shall see, your story as well. And that of course (to quote the book again,) "shall be told another time!"