The Neverending Story

Rating:
Summary: The Neverending Story *happiness and interest*
Review: I found The Neverending Story to be a magnificent read. Firstly the reason I read the book was because I like many had watched the movie. Reading it afterwards I was able to appreciate the movie but the book was so much better. Things you had never thought of, Falkor was done wrong in the movie. Basically... very basically the movie is much like the book... but only covers half of the story... if even that.

The best thing I found to be in the book is my attachment to the characters. I normally don't get emotionally involved in a book... let alone attached to its characters. I found myself glued to the book for hours at a time, yelling because things didn't go as they should have. I couldn't put it down.

One thing I found interesting is Bastian started to irritate me around the middle of the book, which only served to make it that much more interesting. One word: Grograman. If there is one part that appeals to me its the part of the story that irritated me the most. I won't spoil it for people whom haven't read the story, but that was the part that irritated me most of all yet I find it to be one of the best.

For those who watched the movie and wanted to know more about Bastian, Atreyu, Falkor, Gmork and the Childlike Empress this book does it. Bastian actually has more of a purpose to reading The Neverending Story. Instead of following the movies plot where Bastian wins and gets billions of wishes to make his life better, he gets something much better.

If you want a book you can't put down, with lots of imagination, easily remembered characters, and magnificent lines/meaning. This is definitely a book to read. There is so much hidden and apparent meaning in this book I'm sure everyone will find an aspect of it they like. Instead of one hero you have a vast party of heros to choose from, each one a hero for different reasons.

If I would have read the book before watching the movie, I'm sure I would have been picking out flaws the entire time because it would be so fun. There is enough difference between the two that if you seen the movie, you MUST read the book. If you are just reading the book then you shouldn't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: this is a nice story if you like fantasy novels
Review: Well i accidentally stumbled across The Neverending Story when i was looking for another of Michael Ende's book, Momo, and ever since i have read it no fewer than six times and each time i was as enthralled as the first time i read it. Why? you may ask. the story is intensely exciting, and the characters are incredibly believable and at the end of the book you wish it wasnt over. Bastian was an incredible hero, and the best part is at the end, when he begins to lose his meemory. i totally reccomend it for readers of all ages

Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to Imagination
Review: This could quite possibly be one of the most entertaining books I've ever read. Although Ende's story is not complicated, at every turn of the plot I found myself amazed at his powers of creativity. And although this book was written for young readers it will appeal at least as much to adults seeking to dust off the old imagination.

A boy named Bastian steals a book and plays hooky to read it in the attic of his school. But as he reads he finds himself being drawn into the story and its setting, the magical land of Fantastica whose existence depends on humanity and the degree to which we humans recognize its importance. Humans can go to Fantastica sometimes and there they can learn about who they are and the importance of their own lives, which in turn reduces the number of lies in the human world and therefore helps Fantastica. When we forget about Fantastica then a thing called "The Nothing" spreads and destroys Fantastica and sends the inhabitants of Fantastica to the human world in the form of lies which in turn causes us to forget Fantastica even further. Hence our two worlds can work for or against one another.

The book can roughly be divided into two halves. The first half is really a setup for the more psychologically important second part in which Bastian actually participates. Atreyu, a native of Fantastica, seeks to save his land from destruction as Bastian himself reads the very story from his book in the attic. This "world within a book" approach is not only an effective and novel approach to storytelling but also illustrates the importance of the entire fantasy genre and, more generally, our own powers of imagination (the world of Fantastica, although the setting of a "mere story", becomes a metaphor for our own imagination as Bastian finds himself increasingly immersed in it). We (and Bastian) follow Atreyu through great peril, across huge distances and meet some of the strangest creatures imaginable. I always enjoy an intelligent and cunning villain so I took naturally to Gmork (go figure :). Ygramul was also quite cool as he (it?) reminded me of a nanobot swarm. And Ende's story is not devoid of humor. In fact I literally laughed out loud when Pyorncrackzark the rock-biter wound up walking to the Ivory Tower because he ate his stone bicycle in a "fit of hunger". This is not, however, just a typical or simplistic child's story.

As the book progresses and Bastian becomes a part of Fantastica we realize that Ende is trying to convey something about human nature. Surprisingly, Bastian does not become an upstanding member of Fantastica. The corruption that his character sustains as a result of his greed and (hence) his failing memory of his former life could be interpreted in many ways. One might assert that, while Ende appears to be promoting fantasy, he also is implying that a balance must be struck between the two worlds of reality and imagination. Otherwise our infatuation with our own imagination is at the expense of our alienation from reality. On the other hand we realize that a reality absent of imagination does not realize its full creative potential -- a vital component of the human condition. Indeed, Bastian becomes obsessed about his own wishes and increasingly disregards the need to return to his own world. Other interpretations are possible. For example, we could interpret Bastian's ultimately tyrannical behavior in Fantastica as the possible threat that we pose to our own imaginations. After all, Bastian's behavior nearly destroys him in the end. It is only when he learns the fate he will suffer if he continues on his destructive path that Bastian changes his ways. Those who have already suffered this fate are fit for an insane asylum: they've lost all connection with the outer world and have no hope of returning to it. This picture brings us back to the importance of balance. In Fantastica there is no limit to the wishes that we can have fulfilled but we should be careful what we wish for.

The Neverending Story shines as one of the brightest stars in children's fantasy. It is, needless to say, much more modern in its approach than classics like The Hobbit or The Chronicles of Narnia. As a result the storyline is freer and is not afraid to take advantage of what is often termed "magic" in fantasy circles. Magic is strange word though, and in the world of Fantastica it is not so much magic that is the rule but our own power of imagination. Maybe this is what magic really is. After all, if magic exists at all then our imagination seems its most likely abode.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Book for Children and Adults (Buy the Hardback!)
Review: After reading the book, and having seen the film, the book is leaps and bounds better. Of course, this is usually the case, but I felp obligated to tell the public likewise.

As other readers have mentioned, you should purchase the hardback which will certainly be a staple for your home library. The hand drawn illustrations beginning each chapter are beautiful and feature simple sketches of characters you will soon meet. The story takes place both here on Earth (printed in purple font) and in Fantastica (yes, Fantastica not Fantasia, printed in green). The point, children should never fear to wish or dream. It is written in a style that both adults and children will enjoy and I highly reccommend this book to everyone interested. There are so many unforgettable characters like the Rock Biter (huge stone giants), will-o-the-whisp (flying pixie), Falcor (the flying luck dragon) and more... Ygramul and Grograman the fire lion, as one reader already stated will never be forgotten and add a lot of suspense to the story... nestle this one in, right next to the "Harry Potters" on your bookshelf... you won't be sorry!

Rating:
Summary: Full of imaginative delights
Review: This book is chock full of imagination! It starts out with a timid boy named Bastian stealing a book from a bookstore and hiding away in the school attic to read it- "The Neverending Story". He is swept away into an enchanting world called Fantastica (Yes, it was Fantasia in the movie) following Atreyu to try save Fantastica from The Nothing. Bastian soon finds out this mysterious book includes him in the story! If you are familiar with the movie, this book starts out like it, but has so much more detail included, and the story goes on much longer where the movie ended. In the book, Bastian does not go back home to make wishes in his own world, instead he stays in Fantastica and makes wishes there. I could not get over how original each little idea the author had to include in the story. This book is a good fantasy for children and adults alike.

Rating:
Summary: MUCH more than just a wonderfully written book!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: A Classic Amongst Non-Classics
Review: This sweeping tale of love lost and love found, while not never ending, is very good. It is very long, but the quality of the thing justifies it. That's what I'm talking about. The quality of the thing. The quality! The quality of the thing!

Rating:
Summary: Classic for young and old
Review: This is a great fantasy adventure that gets even better the older you are! The movies do little justice to this magical tale.

Rating:
Summary: Splendid Allegorical Fantasy
Review: The Neverending Story is truly a story for all ages. Anyone who wants a fantasy as exciting and moving as the Harry Potter books can look here. Also here, is a story with multiple layers of meaning giving the reader much that is profound to think about.

I won't go far into the story because it seems too complex for this type of review. Many of the traditional elements of fantasy are here, but they are thrown together in a wholly original way. There are a lot of characters, some of whom have to serve a messianic figures for the dieing world of Fantastica. There is a lot of exciting action, and there a a number of very moving relationships.

There are several ways to look at this novel beyond just the story; it definitely deserves a second reading. For one thing, deals with Bastian's existential quest for self-discovery, and it contrasts Atreyu's and Bastian's methods. There is also a lot of Christian symbolism as a Messianic figure is needed to save Fantastica from the Nothing. It also seemed to me that Baltasar's character could sometimes be viewed as a symbol for the Christian Church since Christ's days and perhaps as a commentary for how to once again purify it.

The Neverending Story is truly a masterpiece of Literature for both children and adults. Anyone can read this brilliant story and be entertained and come away with it with some profound insights. The Neverending Story will, I'm sure, always live up to its title; I cannot imagine any generation coming along who will not be totally enraptured by it.

Rating:
Summary: The Neverending Story Ends
Review: This story is extraordinary. It keeps you thinking and you can't take your mind off of it. It's a magical story of a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who finds a magical book that sends him to a magical land named Fantasia. Theres a lot of magical stuff in this book and all Harry Potter fans will love it. Not only that but readers will think of it as a Neverending (in reading it) story.