The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
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Book Reviews of The Neverending Story
Book Review: NeverEnding Story - the movie only tells half
Summary: 5 Stars
Fans of the 1980s film version of Michael Ende's NeverEnding Story will love this book - although they may be surprised to find that the movie tells only half the tale.
The NeverEnding Story is a book within a book: it begins with the story of Bastian, a lonely school-age boy who picks up "The NeverEnding Story" in an old bookstore. As Bastian begins to read, the story shifts back and forth between a fantasy novel about a hero's quest to save the dying world of Fantastica, and Bastian's own somewhat parallel feelings. The film follows the first half of the book fairly closely - but it ends when Bastian enters Fantastica, while the second half of the novel is just beginning. The rest of the story features even more extraordinary magical beings and locations, as Bastian struggles to balance the best and worst aspects of power and to find his true self.
A fabulous tale, beautifully written and perfect for reading out loud. Full of imaginative lands like the Desert of Colors and the lake of tears, as well as unforgettable characters like the old man of wandering mountain and the foolish former emporers who've forgotten themselves.
Book Review: 'A story can be new and yet tell about olden times'
Summary: 5 Stars
If I was ever to possess 1% of the imagination and talent of the late Mr Ende, I would consider myself a most fortunate writer indeed.
I have only recently read this book for myself and have found it one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling reads of my life. I suspect that every reader who does so will take a different journey and find a unique destination. In fact I suspect that each reader could read the same book more than once and find a different destination each time.
If you have only seen the splendid movie, as I have multiple times as it was one of my son's favourites, I invite you to take the different and even more exciting journey available through the written page.
I have three regrets:
I cannot currently read the book in German - but I intend to address that;
I did not read it sooner; and
I do not possess a hardcover edition of this treasure.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys beautifully written fiction that ultimately creates a balance between the powers of reality and imagination.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Book Review: Wonderful!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book three years ago, after thinking that I would never be able to get my hands on it! It is amazingly well written, not to mention well-translated...I am currently reading the novel in its original German...and Ralph Manheim translated the work wonderfully. The writing style is lyrical, and the plot is amazing--how the outsider, Bastian, is able to cross over into a world of fantasy and travel back to his world after many challenges. This is an incredibly imaginative book that I am glad to have found. I love reading all the "stories" within the stories, and the amazing thing is that not all the stories are complete (hence, the title of the novel) but it does allow you to imagine what happened to the wide variety of characters that are in this novel. I also think that this novel transcends the recommended reading age of 9-12...it is very sosphisticated. If you know German, too, I would recommend reading the German version ("Die Unendliche Geschichte") as well. I could go on and on about this book, but one should read it. Even though it is really long, it is worth the read.Book Review: The Best of the Best
Summary: 5 Stars
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende is a fantastic book that has been around for years and will continue to be. This well written book takes you to a world of fantasy where you can become lost in the book and not want to put it down. In the story anything can happen and most of the time it does. Bastian, the main character, is taken to Fantastica to give the Childlike Empress a new name. But, to give her this new name he must go on a journey,far away from Earth. He learns about friendship and how to trust people you don't really know. Although he gets conceited towards the end he learns that he doesn't want power, but all he wants to be is loved. His wishes are running short and he's losing all memories of his world. To make it home he must find the true meaning of why he wants to go home. He makes it home to find his months of long journey in Fantastica was only a day on earth and his father, which he hasn't been close to since his mother died, was shocked when Bastian returned with many, many stories. Over all, I recommend this book to all ages, 9 to 99. So if you haven't read this book, go out and buy it!Book Review: My Favorite Fantasy Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
When a young boy named Bastian "borrows" a book from a shop, he has no idea that he is about to embark on a journey of his own. The book speaks of a place called Fantasia (or Fantastica, depending on the translation) that is built upon the dreams and fantasies of humans. Sadly, Fantasia is crumbling and its Childlike Empress is dying. Because people are not using their imaginations as much as they once were, everything is being overcome by The Nothing, a force which is sweeping the land at an alarming rate. The Nothing's evil henchman is a frightening wolf named Gmork. It is up to Atreyu, a warrior, to stop the spread of the Nothing.
There are no words to describe this story, and there are a million words to describe this story. There are a million stories in this book, and there is just one story. I read this book as a young child, and my love for it has never dimished. I keep my copy in pristine condition. If you clapped for Tinker Bell in Peter Pan but you haven't read this book, you must read it now, because you know what it is to imagine and to believe.