Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece!
Review: Usually, I don't really like fantasy books. But "The Neverending Story" is not just a story, it is an ingenious literal masterpiece. Once you have this book in your hand, you simply cannot put it down - I've read it in less than five hours. What makes this book different from other fantasy novels is the sense of realism in conveys. You can almost feel yourself slipping into the world of Fantastica with Bastian, leaving the grey boring real World behind... The amazing thing is that "the Neverending Story" is one of the most far-fetched, bizzare stories I've ever encountered. But somehow, once you begin reading, you are willing to set all your disbeliefs aside. It could be just Ende's stroke of genius, or perhaps there is still a bit of magic left in our World.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: The NeverEnding Favorite
Review: My first interest in The NeverEnding Story was after I saw the movie. I picked up the book one evening, and didn't put it down until three in the morning. It's been one of my favorites ever since. I'm not a big fan of science-fiction and adventure novels, but The NeverEnding Story appeals to most audiences. That's probably because the focus is not on the adventure of the story, but on how it has an impact on our hero, and how it changes his character and life. Bastian Balthizar Bux is your average misfit. He's short, fat, dumb, and everyone at school makes his life miserable. To make it worse, his mother has just passed away, and he can't talk to his father. One day, in an attempt to escape from some bullies, he stumbles upon an intriguing book with a curious emblem on the cover. Bastian discovers a land of magic, mystery and adventure inside the cover of The NeverEnding Story. The Nothing is taking over Fantastica, the Childlike Empress is ill, and Atreyu is searching for a savior. He discovers him beyond the boundary of Fantastica. Bastian realizes that it is him, that he himself is part of the neverending story. He must bring the cure to the Childlike Empress, and to all of Fantastica. He must find the courage within to be the hero he has the potential to be. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading. It's one of my personal favorites because it does more than keep you turning pages. It's about more than one boy growing up. There's something in there for everyone. It leaves you with a satisfied feeling, and you put it down knowing that it's had an impact on your life.
Rating:
Summary: Find the love inside you.
Review: Michael Ende is my favorite writer. The MOMO was my first Ende book. It lead me somewhere I've wanted to go for a long time. The fantastic experience made me search some more Ende book. Cuz, I could go to the place I want thru Ende's stories. And This book. Never Ending Story. was there. I just couldn't stop reading. I'm just sad that Ende didn't write many stories. I became his big fan.
Rating:
Summary: Michael Ende is a super-genis!
Review: I do love the movie but the book is even better. I just couldn't put it down. It's a lot like "The Pagemaster". A young boy gets sucked into his own story and comes back a different person. I have read about all fairylands, Oz, Narnia, Terebithia, Neverland and Harry Potter's World, but Fantasica is the Mother of all Fairylands. At the end I realized that the greatest gift I could give to Mr. Wogglebug was the Water of Life.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This truly is a breath-taking book! If you've seen the movie, you'll know that this story has a variety of wonderful characters that will inspire the imaginations of those who hear it! I was a little leary when I picked it up (I'm 13)I was afraid that it would be too hard- it does carry a higher reading level, but don't let that discourage you. This book includes the entire story of the first two movies- but it's done correctly! If you hated the 2nd movie as much as I did, you'll be glad to know that this book will stir your imagination more than the original movie did! If you've never seen the movie- now's your chance to get in on the fantastic story of what happens when a young boy takes a book from a bookstore- and enters the world of Fantastica! Breathtaking work, detailed! I'm having trouble figuring out where the author got so many wonderful ideas! Take the journey to Fantastica with Bastian, Atreyu and all their friends, and you'll never regret it! Great for children, as well as adults ages 10+ up!
Rating:
Summary: i'm still looking for that book!
Review: When I first saw the movie "The Neverending Story" as a child, I was enthralled. And when I found the book in the library, I was ecstatic - I could have adventures like Bastian's! It was just Bastian's story in print, though - a crushing disappointment for a ten year old. I read it anyway, and realized I loved it even more than the movie. I checked it out of the library to read again every month until i had enough allowance saved to buy it, although I'm still, to this day, looking for the book Bastian found! In short, this is my favorite fairy tale of all time. When I have kids, they're hearing it. Grandkids? Them, too. And if anyone can lay their hands on the book Bastian found, please let me know....
Rating:
Summary: Do What You Wish
Review: This is one of my top five books of all time, and I've read a lot.... The story of Basitan is a dark farie tale, at once enticing us to follow our dreams and reminding us that we cannot let those dreams control us. Bastian is all of us at one time or another - passed over, kicked around and so enamoured of his fantasy world that he nearly loses the real one. I saw myself in there, as have many other people. As others have said, the movies cannot compare to the book. I loved the first movie, and still do. I give some credit to the second for at least trying to make the attempt to follow the book. I refuse to acknowledge the existence of the third. This is one that I recommend heartily and without reservation. And when you are done, give it to someone else. It's that kind of book....
Rating:
Summary: Adventures in the attic
Review: The Neverending Story is a book that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age and gender. It was better than I expected it to be and it's packed full of important themes. How Michael Ende came up with a great story like this truly boggles the mind. I've seen the movie and liked it, but the book explained what the real meaning of its' title. The only gripe that I had with it were some of the character descriptions, some of them seemed rather corny, either the product of Ende's intent or Manheim's translations. Other than that, I consider this novel a first rate fantasy. Anyone, I think, who reads it, will definetly think about Ende's thoughts that he expressed in his book. It is clear that Michael wrote an entertaining fantasy, but he also wanted the reader to think. The Neverending Story is about Bastion, a depressed boy who dosen't seem to like himself too much. When he discoveres that the land of imaginations' existence depends on his actions, he is afraid and wonders what the Childlike Empress could want out of a anti-hero such as himself. When he does save Fantasia, he becomes not only it's savior, but also a supreme being. But his new-found powers make him very vunerable to HIMSELF? Read the book to see what I mean. The Neverending Story is a book that its' readers won't forget for a long time, if ever.
Rating:
Summary: Futuristic
Review: This is the one of the best piece I have ever laid eyes on! It is a very suspenseful book because when you expect something to happen the exact opposite happens. But that might be why there are so many pages. This book has relly oppened my eyes to the reality of the 21 century.
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