The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

Book Description

When Bastian happens upon an old book called The Neverending Story, he’s swept into the magical world of Fantastica—so much that he finds he has actually become a character in the story! And when he realizes that this mysteriously enchanted world is in great danger, he also discovers that he is the one chosen to save it. Can Bastian overcome the barrier between reality and his imagination in order to save Fantastica?

Review

I finally got around to reading The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, a fantasy classic that has been on my list for ages. So much so that I discovered two copies in my TBR pile!

It’s always weird to read a book after you’ve seen the movie, isn’t it? You can’t help but compare the two.

The first half of The Neverending Story was an absolute delight, much like the movie I adored as a kid. Bastian’s adventure to save Fantastica was just as magical and captivating as I had hoped. The vivid descriptions and whimsical world-building made me feel like I was right there with him, rediscovering the joy of childhood imagination.

The differences between the book and the movie were minimal. Instead of Fantasia, Ende named his world Fantastica. In the book Atreyu has green skin, and Artax can talk!

Then, I hit the second half. This part of the book felt like a whole different story, much like my memory of the second movie. The story dragged, turning into a slog. Like Bastian, I became disenchanted with Fantastica, losing nearly all of my initial excitement. This part of the book lacked the charm and adventure of the first half, and I struggled with the story’s tedium and pace.

I’m glad I read The Neverending Story. The book dives deep into themes like the power of imagination and self-belief. And while I struggled with the novel more than I expected to, it’s a valuable read and a great addition to any collection of fantasy classics.

If you’ve been thinking about picking it up, I’d say go for it. If you, like me, were ever a kid who liked to ponder infinity and what could really be out there, The Neverending Story may well reawaken your child-like wonder.

Content Warning

Animal Death, Body Shaming, Death of a Parent, Fatphobia, Toxic Friendship, Violence, War

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Sergiu Vălenaș on Unsplash