Hardcover, 396 pages
English language
Published Nov. 11, 1997 by Dutton Children's Books.
This epic work of the imagination has captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide since it was first published more than a decade ago. Its special story within a story is an irresistible invitation for readers to become part of the book itself. And now this modern classic and bibliophile's dream is available in hardcover again.
The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.
Readers, too, can …
This epic work of the imagination has captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide since it was first published more than a decade ago. Its special story within a story is an irresistible invitation for readers to become part of the book itself. And now this modern classic and bibliophile's dream is available in hardcover again.
The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.
Readers, too, can travel to the wondrous, unforgettable world of Fantastica if they will just turn the page... --front flap
Natürlich das bekannteste Buch, wenn auch nicht das beste, von Michael Ende. Im ersten Teil ist es eine schön fantasievolle, aber eher flache und beliebige Erzählung, im zweiten schimmert dann allerdings Philosophie durch, und die Veränderungen in der Welt decken sich auf runde Weise mit den Charakterzügen der Hauptfigur.
Ein alter Favorit, den ich jetzt meinem Kind vorgelesen habe, zufällig passend zur Adventszeit (das Buch endet am ersten Advent). Das habe ich früher schon einmal versucht aber jetzt war es wohl erst das richtige Alter. Die Abenteuergeschichte im ersten Teil und die Coming-of-Age-Story im zweiten sind auch immer noch unter den besten, die ich bis heute gelesen habe. Erstaunlich ist es, dass das Buch mir bisher in allen Lebensphasen etwas Neues eröffnet hat, ob als Kind, Jugendliche, junge Erwachsene oder jetzt als Mutter. Für mich war natürlich auch besonders schön zu sehen, wie mein eigenes Kind so gepackt wurde dass es teilweise die Zubettgehzeit vorverlegte, nur damit ich eine ganze Stunde vorlesen kann.
Another oldie but goldie re-read. Just a wonderful feel good story about growing up and accepting responsibility. All handled in a fantasy world.
Love that book. Viel mehr kann ich dazu eigentlich gar nicht sagen. Zwischendurch wird Bastian ziemlich nervig, aber wann verläuft character development schon stur gerade, ne? Auch mit 26 noch ein super Buch, das ich als Kind schon gerne auf Kassette gehört habe, und noch immer gern lese. So ne Art Buch ist das.
I give up. Two months of trying not to fall asleep listening to this audio book is enough. It's longer than the Martian. Almost as long as Magician's Land and longer than The Rithmatist. Enough. The movie ended 7 discs ago. SEVEN! I'm done. I don't care anymore.
This book was so much better than all of the movies. The story is so good that it was really hard for me to put it down.
Bastien does learn a very valuable lesson in the end, but I suppose that if he didn't, it'd not have been a very well written book at all.
Very captivating indeed. I'd suggest all young children, and even adults read it, because something will be learned by all.
Forget the film version.
The Neverending Story film captures the first half of the book, the fairly naive story of a little boy finding courage in a fantasy world that turns real. That is the story for the kids.
Then things turn ugly. The rest of the book is about the responsibility you bear when you've found courage. That's the story for adults.
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (1983)
I think my love of movie, made the enjoyment of the last half of this book that much more difficult. The movie is basically only the first half of the book, and it's what I remember and love about the story. Atreyu is a great character and enjoyable to watch (or read) and pretend to be just like, the same as Bastian does. But when Bastian enters Fantastica and the book switches to mostly his perspective, it wasn't as fun to read.
