Reviews

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

mcbibliotecaria's review against another edition

4.0

Word of warning: It is impossible to read this book without hearing the song from the movie in your head on repeat "the neverending storyyyyyyyeyeyeyeye ah ahahahahah ah". That said, this was a truly fantastical book, along the lines with the Phantom Tollbooth, but not as allegorical, but extremely magical. I was through about 100 pages, and was at the end of the movie, wondering what else they could talk about, but apparently the movie was only one half of the book. The movie Neverending Story II, which I kinda like, although I know I'm in the minority, loosely covers the second half. Its Bastian in Fantasia and his adventures there. But the creativity in the characters leave an impact on the reader. The citizens of Fantasia are OUT THERE. Puddle people who only move by dissolving into puddles. Multi colored lions that live in desert palaces and are stone during the day, spiders whose venom can transport you.
The central theme of the book is Love, love for yourself as well as others. Bastian becomes disillusioned by his power in Fantasia, and in lapses into his own loss of self worth and empathy. Atreyu and Falkor or here also, being awesome as they tend to be. The ending was different from the movie, but this is the first YA book I've read in a while where I felt the entire journey of the character, from beginning to end, and understood why his thought process changed. It was a complete story from beginning to end. It stretched out my imagination, which I feel is what a book should do.

sorbeth's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is wildly different than the movie.  There are a large number of fragments and scenes and pieces the were in the movie, and the second half is a lot of the overall plot that I recall of the sequel.  But so so very different.  Bastion is a little asshole who eventually gets himself together near the end.  But my gosh, unlikable protagonist! 

aotora's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I watched the movie a few times when I was younger - as I got older I decided to finally read the book the movie is based on - and it was one of the best fantasy books I've read so far. It's surprisingly dark and it does go on after the movie ends. Some characters are slightly changed- Bastian for example is a slightly heavier boy with a low self esteem - and because of that he gets influenced easily and makes some really bad decisions throughout the book. I also loved the story's focus on keeping imagination - even as an adult. Because a lot of times as an adult you grow up and you believe that having an imagination or making up stories is no longer cool or interesting, it's just something you shouldn't do. I also loved the many creatures we meet in this story- even though some names are super hard to pronounce and I don't believe that I would be able to say them as a kid - I listened to the audiobook I found on youtube during those parts and it really helped me with the names - but it would be good if the book included a sort of a glossary with all the names and how to pronounce them like a few books do these days. 

zengs's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

poutchyka's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

marie_hermine's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

duckyquacks's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

kevniax's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

julyan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

karenholmes's review against another edition

5.0

Can't count how many times I've read this book over the time.
First time I was a kid at school, and for sure I didn't get all the meanings and the subtle images Michael Ende shared. Last time was last year, reading aloud to my kid, some pages each night. And I was astonished at being even more in love with it than ever before.
I loved the portrayal of the hero's journey, the fantastic world Ende created mixing legends and stories but most of all loved the portrayal of the loyal friend Atreyu and the growth Bastian shows.
It's really a lovely learning tool for any writer wanting to dive into fantasy.