The Neverending Story

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Summary: An epic of imagination and self-discovery
Review: A student of mine gave me this for Christmas, as I'd never read it, and I totally enjoyed it. I read it all in one day while waiting in airports and flying across country, and it was compelling all the way through--a very wide-ranging and imaginative epic adventure. It's really a meta-novel: a children's book about a book within a book, one where the lines between "reality" and "fantasy" get completely blurred as the protagonist, a boy named Bastian, discovers that he has become a character in the book he's reading. The story has a realm of mythical creatures from centaurs and giants to tinies and luckdragons, all of whom coexist in the realm of Fantastica. Although in translation (by Ralph Manheim), the descriptions are beautiful, and the adventure is compelling throughout. The first half portrays a hero, Atreyu (a ten-year old boy), trying to find the solution to the illness of the Childlike Empress (a title that I found mysteriously evocative throughout) which is corresponding to the growing destruction of Fantastica--evils that are apparently external to the characters themselves. But the second half, which is still as adventurous, takes us into the consequences of the flaws and poor choices of Bastian himself, a ten-year old boy with both selfless and selfish impulses. Atreyu's quest is thus to save his home and the Childlike Empress from destruction, while Bastian's quest is one more of loss, choices, and self-discovery. Each step in Bastian's path, whether progressive or regressive, has tremendous effects on Fantastica, and, paradoxically, he has to forget as much as he learns in order to find himself.

Each of the 26 chapters begins with the letters of the alphabet in order, and the illustrations for the first page of each chapter are wonderful. The paperback version alternates between the "real world" and Fantastica with the use of different typefaces; I hope some day to get a hardbound edition that uses two colors just like the book that Bastian is reading.

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Summary: A Letter for School I wrote to Michael Ende
Review: Dear Michael Ende,

Since I was a child, the video's made of your classic book had always been the building block of every dream and fantasy I had. I remember sitting home at the age of Six in front of my TV, captured by The Neverending Story. Now, as a teenager, I have read the actual book, and I fully appreciate the movie for its gifts to me as a child, but in all truthfulness, the book itself it's simply a piece of art, which in no way can ever be captured in film; to me it is a gateway to one's own imagination, and you just provide the storyline for the reader.

When I read your book for the first time, I did not set it down once. I read the full 445 pages from start to end hanging on every last word. There are so many aspects of life which I find utterly boring, and most of the time I find most books quite plain. But to me, your "creation" or "masterpiece" which I consider quite amazing, seems to literally be a book written from the dreams of children, stories we had not heart of yet in nursery rhymes, or old folk tales long forgotten. I felt as if I were in every scene in the story, living the adventure as if it were my own. Your main character's Bastian and Atreyu seemed to make up the person I was. Bastian being a shy, timid boy, and Atreyu being a strong, confident worrier. I felt a connection with both of the characters, which helped me relate to your book much more and the choices the characters made during their adventures.

As a child, I did not have many friends. No siblings, and no neighbors to play with; watching your movies and reading your book was a way for me to get to have my own adventures as a child. I did not have imaginary friends, but I did imagine myself quite often as if I were in your stories, how the people would talk to me, different things I would do. For example, I would love to get to sit down and talk to some of the characters, asking them about their lives, and where they had been.

There were many times in the story you started to trail off into side stories, but ended them by saying "But that is another story and will be told another time". You only wrote one book, so was that you way of giving the reader his or her own power of imagination to think of what the story could possibly be? Or were you planning on writing a sequel to the story, and never got the time?

Out of curiosity of your life, I read your biography. Wondering perhaps, were you an only child, whose dreams and fantasies later ended up on the pages of The Neverending Story? Because it is not everyday that the ordinary person creates such an abstract story as the one you wrote. Come to find, you were an only child growing up in Germany during the Holocaust, with parents who did not get along. At times I feel as if I dislike my own family life, but to think of yours and how you must have dealt with things makes me appreciate the love my family has. I can imagine you sitting at home, playing with your toys thinking of adventures inside your head, which you're ultimately never forgot. The Neverending Story must have been a long growing story within your mind, which had accumulated bits and parts through your life. As a child, you were said to have many pets, which you're later had play main parts in your book. Also, you were said to be fascinated with the Dr.Doolittle books; was that the inspiration you had to create your story and characters? It quite surprised me to realize that many of the scenes and characters within your book have a deeper connection than just fantasy to you. One of the main characters, Bastian, was actually portrayed from a childhood friend of yours who died? Was the fact that you loved horseback riding was possibly a key to why Atreyu was a skilled horseback rider? There are many questions I have had in my mind about your story since I was a child. They are endless in my mind, but the one that never ends (no pun intended) is how one person can create such a vivid story within their own mind, and somehow put in into words powerful enough for others to see what you saw.

Even today at the age of Sixteen, I wish with my full heart that if even in a dream, somehow, I could experience the adventure your created. To ride on the back of Falkor, to sit with the children in Silver City, or to lie at night and count the stars in the forest of Perlin. All this may seem very childish and young, but to me the story is still as real as it was when I was six years old. I am still captivated by every detail of your story, and there are still many aspects of it, which I have yet to understand fully.
I have heard of you being called a philosopher in the past. Much like how Einstein or Franklin were men deeply compassionate with science and society, you were in a sense the "philosopher" of the imagination and mind. Some may just view you as a children's book author, but I believe only the unimaginative would say that. It is very hard for me to see how anyone could possibly not agree with the fact that The Neverending Story is a literary masterpiece. It seems to engulf the whole view of childhood fantasy in one, and can bring out the child in anyone who sits down to read it.

Looking back, when I was younger you story kept me company when I did not have friends to spend my time with. I was consumed with the plot, the storyline, the characters, and every detail you put into it. Ten years later, although I am it seems a different person, it keeps the same connection with me as it did ten years ago. I am still captivated by the beauty and imagery in every page you wrote. The most magnificent part of your book was in Chapter XIII when you described Perlin, The Night Forest. "Soon the velvety darkness all around Bastian and Moon Child, over and under them on every side, was filled with rapidly growing luminous plants. A globe of radiant colors, a new luminous world hovered in the Nowhere, and grew and grew. And its innermost center Bastian and Moon Child sat hand in hand, looking around them with their eyes of wonder." This small piece of work only shows a tiny example of your gift. Passages like these fill my mind with colors and images so vivid even I forget where I am, and at times I even feel like I have "fallen" into the book, and am experiencing it all first hand.

You may never comprehend the extent of that of The Neverending Story. I wish it were a book every child was made to read. I personally have lost count at how many times I have read your book. That doesn't seem surprising to me though, for my copy of the book is literally falling apart. Yet, on a rainy day at home, instead of reaching for my brand new hard cover books, I always pick up my warn, tattered copy of The Neverending Story, because no matter how many times I read it, it always seem to have more stories and new adventures every time I do. So in a sense, to me, and hopefully others, your book is in fact, The Neverending Story.

Sincerely and with Much Love,

Cassie

e-mail: [e-mail]

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Summary: um.. That was weird
Review: I liked the movie so I read the book. The book is strange and philosophical and much less concrete than the movie. For now I'm going to chalk it up to being some German thing.

The story follows Bastian, an awkward bookworm of about 11. He visits a book store and finds a book called, "The Neverending Story" He knows that he must have the book and so he steals it and locks himself into the attic of his school to hide from the law and read. The story he is reading is printed in red and green, just like the book we are reading. Gradually Bastian notices that characters in the story react to things he does and realizes that the fate of the fictional (or not so fictional) world he is reading about hangs on his actions. This is the first half of the book. It plays with breaking the fourth wall.

In the second half of the world the fourth wall is broken. Bastian is in the world of ideas. He can trade memories for wishes that come true as he wishes them. So this explores identity. The world of Fantastica is like a medieval painting. Gargoyles etc come from here and there. Anywhere you look archetypes are playing out morals and ideas. But when you step back and look at the whole picture you see that there are only these small thoughts and scenes. Anyone of them is more planned out than is the picture as a whole. This didn't work for me in book form. By the end of the book I didn't care what happened to any of the characters.

I think that the approach here is very much a love it, hate it one. I don't even know that you would know if the book is for you from reading the first few chapters. For me monotony set in about a third of the way through. It is very tenuous and has philosophical aspirations. If you saw the movie and liked it, that is no guarantee of liking the book. My recommendation is to read this only if someone who knows you has pointed you toward it.

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Summary: More Meaningful Than the Average Fantasy Novel
Review: Most Americans' familiarity with the book will come from the three American movies, despite the fact that the book was a bestseller in Germany for three years.

The first two movies are based on the first and second halves of the book, respectively (fortunately, the events of the third one were never written about). Bastian, rather than being a cute, slim, wide-eyed little boy, is a chubby recluse who withdraws into his own imagination as a replacement for friends, even more so since the death of his mother.

While not amazingly well-written by any stretch of the imagination, The Neverending Story makes up fully for that by being such a gripping adventure. Ende can write an enthralling drama, as equally light-hearted as it can be dark.

The story, however, goes deeper than providing a high fantasy tale. It is, at its heart, when all is said and done, a story about learning to love oneself. Bastian's metamorphosis from a selfish schoolboy to a worshipped, egotistical weilder of Auryn in Fantastica to, finally, a humble, appreciative son is as magical as the rest of the novel.

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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.

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Summary: Fantastia is Fantastic!!!
Review: ok I admit i didn't think its was gonna be verry good. I mean I loved he movie but i wasn't in to books or that kind of thing when i got but once i started reading it I couldn't stop. It filled my heart with every thing a book should. Now i can barly watch the movie cause all i think of is thats not how it was in the book. But I loved the book and i think if you like a good story or you love the Lord Of The Rings books you should pic this one up.

(...)

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Summary: book of greatness
Review: The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende, is a wonderful departure from the ordinary, and a classic childhood fantasy story, with imaginary creatures, and a child's utopia turned to a dystopia. This story brings you into the world of Bastian Balthazar Bux, a below-average student, with an above-average weight, and few friends. He encounters a crotchety old book seller, and finds himself stealing a book right from under his nose.

The book is The Neverending Story, about a seeming wonderland, a story of stories, but this wonderland has a problem. It is being eaten away by nothing, and only one person can stop it. Bastian feels himself getting sucked into the story, literally feeling everything the characters did, and hearing them, and finding that they hear him, also. Soon he is entirely in Fantastica, and you, the reader, follow him through his adventures there.

I found this book to be very exciting, and although it seems childish, it is interesting, and has you believing in fantasies once again. I love some action and mystery in novels, and although this is not your typical action or mystery story, it does involve some mystery, and much action and suspense. It is a fascinating twist on the existence of magic and fantasy creatures, and what happens to a story once it is read.

The only complaint I have about this novel is the lack of maturity. The novel is a sweet one, and brings back old fantasies, but it lacks a sense of maturity, which to me is a little frustrating. I got easily frustrated near the end of the novel, when Bastian is having a hard time, but is portrayed much less like what I believe anyone can quite relate to. Also, the story got a little tedious at times, when the action simmered some, and nothing was really happening. After getting through those sections, though, the book more than made up for it with action-packed segments.

I would suggest The Neverending Story for anyone who wants an adventure, a fairy tale, and much fun throughout the story. This book is charming, and I really enjoyed it. You will definitely enjoy the silly antics of a child's imagination, and the adventures of a child learning the value of friends and family as I did. I would definitely say it's a book worth remembering.

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Summary: Pure Magic
Review: This book is pure magic, and it is a feast for the imagination. In The Neverending Story, Michael Ende has created a magical world in the Neverending Story that is a joyful journey to depart upon. Wonderful fantasy and characters, and also meaning and life lessons.

Bastien is a small picked-on boy with a lifesize imagination, who picks up a book called the NEVERENDING STORY, that takes him on a magical adventure. Written in a book within a book format, Bastien soon becomes part of the Neverending Story. Fantastical characters abound (this is Fantastica after all), Falkor, the luckdragon, Atreyu, the hero Greenskin. They are all special. There are even some scary beings in Fantastica, because Fantastica is the land of the imagination, and all beings are special within the imagination, all are equal because they exist.

Bastien is chosen for a mission to provide the Childlike Empress with a new name. With her the fate of Fantastica rests. Bastien is a human, and humans and Fantasticans have always had a precarious relationship. They need each other, but humans tend to take Fantastica for granted, and deny its existence, making room for lies and delusions in the human world. Fantastica needs and relies upon the human world, and is taken over by the NOTHING if humans stop believing.

Come along with Bastien on his adventures. You will get sucked in, trust me. And maybe you will come away a little bit braver, and a little more loving, and more apt to discover the adventures of everyday life, as a human, and also find the way to FANTASTICA!

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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!

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Summary: An Adult-sized Fairy Tale
Review: Until recently, I was blissfully ignorant that the popular movie I had seen several times (in my younger days) was actually based on a book.

Judging from the cover illustration of Bastian Balthazar Bux doing his "King of the World" thing aboard the Luck Dragon, you get the feeling that this is no ordinary fantasy book, and indeed it isn't.

I did get the feeling that some aspects of the story were lost in translation (which is another story altogether), as it has some abrupt swings in tone, the dialogue sometimes seeming clumsy and childish compared to the rest of the book - but that's nitpicking.

This is truly a Neverending Story, most of which springs from the imagination of the unlikely human hero, the aforementioned Master Bux, who steals the titular tome, and flees with it to the safety of his school attic, where he becomes much more than a casual onlooker of the worlds of Fantastica.

Michael Ende's imagination works overtime in creating Fantastica and all its inhabitants, and for each thrilling chapter, he introduces another story to be told at another time.

The main story however, is the metamorphosis of Bastian Bux from a frightened, insecure child, and the new relationship he was able to forge with his father after his great learning adventure.

Be wary in your reading of the adventures of The Childlike Empress, Atreyu, Morla, Ygramul, Falkor, Grograman, Hero Hynreck and Xayide, among others, beware the Nothing, and be careful what you wish for, least you also become a part of the Neverending Story, and forever lose your memories of this life.

Amanda Richards, December 19, 2004