The Neverending Story [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael Ende (Author), Ralph Manheim (Translator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Shy, awkward Bastian is amazed to discover that he has become a character in the mysterious book he is reading and that he has an important mission to fulfill.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A rich, enjoyable read... Succeeds by drawing in the most potent elements of fairytales, myth, and invented fantasy.' The Observer 'A trumpet blast for the imagination.' Sunday Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140386335
• ISBN-13: 978-0140386332
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (314 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

252 of 263 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully presented version of a classic book., July 14, 2001

By 

Mr Ghostface (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Neverending Story (Mass Market Paperback)

"Die Unendliche Geschichte"

Michael Ende's novel first came to my attention after I had seen the wonderful Warner Bros film in 1984. Just a teenager at the time, I sought out the book and read it. It was fantastic, a book I intended to keep for the rest of my life. But it was a yellowing, cheap paperback re-released off the back of the movie. So one day trawling through the catalogues at Amazon, it occurred to me to check out if the book was still in print. It was. And how.

When my copy arrived, I hadn't realised the effort that had been put into its print. The cover art is crisply reproduced with firm hardbacking, but the real surprise was to be found inside; the text is printed in alternating purple (for Bastian's story) and green (for the events within the storybook itself). It's one of those books you want to stick on the shelf and never touch again because you want to preserve its beauty, although well-thumbed books take on an appreciated beauty of their own. I love this book, I would've paid twice the price for it.

Hope you enjoy it as much.

NOTE: Michael Ende's novel is longer than the film, which was based only on the first half of the book. The translation is the original one by Ralph Manheim. For trivialists, Ende died in 1995, Manheim in 1992.

61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Neverending Story (Mass Market Paperback)

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!

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Gem, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Neverending Story (Paperback)

The Neverending Story is truly an outstanding book. First published I believe in German, it has been translated into English quite adeptly, although there are a few cases of awkward wording resulting from this. Other than that, this is a nearly perfect book. Bear in mind one thing while you're reading though -- while it is great, it is also a children's book, so don't go looking for really challenging vocabulary and adult themes.

I picked up this book in Zany Brainy maybe seven years ago, and I have read it quite a few times since then. I find something new in it every time, and it never gets old. It stays just as beautiful and perfect each time.

If you've seen the first two movies, they are both based on this books, the second only nominally, but even the first hardly does the book justice. This, despite being a children's book, has themes that apply all throughout life, and its simplicity is wonderfully refreshing after so many other books which try to impress you with their incredibly flashy wording and daunting size. The pictures at the beginning of each chapter are skillfully sketched, and this is just overall an amazing work of art.

No matter what your age, buy this book. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for your kids and read it to them. You won't be dissapointed.

Another fascinating book is Ende's Momo, which unfortunately only seems available in spanish at the moment, but keep your eyes out for it.