Beautiful book. Hardback hard to find!! A must-have classic!

books:

	• The Neverending Story Michael Ende Dutton Juvenile, 1997 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 270 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Acculy it is 4 1/2

I, like Bastien found this book in a second hand book store, and was quickly sucked in.
Some parts seemed childish in the way they were written, but I later found out it was tansalated from some germanic language.
I really loved how each of the 26 chapters start w/ a differnt letter of the alphabet, and how in the tradicion of the old middle-ages books each letter was decorated.
It would have been 5 stars but I didn't like how Bastian seemed to turn bad, and when he was walking through Fantastica and every one was following him is stupfied awe kinda seemed to drone on for awhile.
It is, however, a VERY worthwhile read,I am just impatient, it is for anyone wether or not they like fantasey.
Although this story is contained in 26 chapters and between two covers, the real neverending story starts when you close it and sit in awe of its awesomeness, although we all know, and sadly accept that there is no alternet reality, this book can give you a basis for creating your own secreat world, weather its in Fantastica, your own imaginary placeor in the world of another aother, this bookm will really change the way you look at fantasy. BRAVO ENDE

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Dark, semi-surrealistic fantasy unlike any other...

It is with infinite sadness that I discovered some time ago about Michael Ende's passing away several years ago. His fun and lively "Jim" books (fantasy books containing a black boy as the main protagonist, something unusual even today), and the simple, deeply imaginative "Momo" were some of the first fantasy books I have read. Then, in my teen years, I read "The Neverending Story". Like everyone else, I saw the movie first, at age 9 or so. But I had known Ende's work beforehand, and knew that I will not be disappointed.

The NeverEnding story is a work of deeply haunting, surrealistic fantasy. Don't expect your friendly hobbits and wizards here (not that there's anything wrong with them!) Ende's father was a surrealistic painter, and his son appeared to have been influenced by his vision. His books are more like fairy tales than the carefully structured worlds and characterization in the books of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (the other two early fantasy masters), and are likewise influenced by Eastern myths, not only Western ones. Ever wondered what is the child Empress? Well, the beauty of Ende's work is that he leaves many questioned unanswered, much like in the ancient fairy tales. But to know the answers, dig a little into Eastern myths of India. (Bigger hint: watch Bill Moyers' famous interview of Joseph Campbell.)

Bastian's journeys through Fantasia, first through Atreyu, then, in the considerably darker and more powerful second half of the book, on his own, are journeys of self-discovery. He tastes not only the delight of losing himself in his imagination, but the profound danger of literally "drowning in fantasy", receiving everything he ever dreamed of. He falters and almost fails, but the loyalty of his clear-sighted friend saves him, and he receives the deepest wish of his heart. (In many ways, Atreyu is the hero of the story, and Bastian is actually a sort of anti-hero, something unusual in children's books.)

Ende's world is the neverending world of imagination. Thus, unlike the world of Middle Earth or Narnia, which are constructed around "complete", structured worlds, it has no limits, containing all the creatures humankind ever dreamed of. Some readers complained about the brief introduction and then dismissal of the many fantastic creatures populating Fantasia (note- I use the spelling of the translation I read, which is not English). However, this is part of the profound enchantment of the story. These creatures do not fit into a careful hierarchy, are not "characters" in the classical sense of the word. Instead, they weave the mysterious and semi-surrealistic tapestry of the world that Bastian must traverse in his journey for self-discovery. For me, this is the beauty of the book. I never liked knowing too much about Tolkien's Middle Earth, for example; fitting it into a specified world view which I do not share ruined it for me somewhat. Additionally, some of the mystery, and thus the power of the fantasy, is lost forever when the mechanics of the world are explained. Ende's work remains powerful because of its mystery, even its surrealism. It is a modern fairy tale in every sense of the word, and a deeply moving one at that, on par with the best fantasy written.

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Beautiful book. Hardback hard to find!! A must-have classic!

No book loving house should be without this classic. The hardback is beautifully done - it even has text in two different colors: green/brown. One is about the boy in HIS world and the other color is about the boy in the other world... Cleverly done. I loved this book as a kid and rereading it as an adult brings back fond memories - I'm keeping this for my daughter to read one day. If you can get your hands on a hardback book, buy it quick - this book is very hard to find. (I believe it's out of print.)

I'm speechless.

This work is in a league of its own. I've never seen anything as imaginative as this. It even beats the works of Lewis Carroll in that department. You have to pay attention to every word or else you may miss something fantastic.

So many insane sights are described in this book that it's impossible to remember them all. There's a rabbit covered in colorful feathers, there's a striped hippopotamus whose front and back ends walk independently, there's a man shaving a mirror, there's a tree that's its own grandmother, the list goes on and on. I think since there are so many wacky things that are so briefly mentioned, many of these things don't get the popularity they deserve.

The second half of the book really shines and sets up some very interesting scenarios totally absent from any of the Neverending Story movies, particularly the existance of the lion in the Desert of Many Colors. That poor lion has it rough since Bastian creates an environment for him where he is doomed to eternal loneliness.

I noticed no real problems with the translation; there may be a few differences like calling goose bumps goose flesh, but that might just be a new creative way of describing an old term and has nothing to do with translation.

Regardless of whether you get a nice colorful hardcover version, or a cheaper paperback version like I did, don't pass this story up.

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Magic, pure magic

If you never read the neverending story, do it now! that's what I can recommend.
This book has captured my mind for many years, and I'm sure it'll capture you too, if you have some fantasy in your heart.
I had the luck of seeing the movie first. Though funny and sweet, it does not even scratch the cover of the book.

The story is breathtaking, the charachters full of life and the end, that's what I loved most.
(I can even admit I had tears in my eyes when I turned the last page).

Did I already say I recommend it?

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reviews: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, page 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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