The Neverending Story

by Michael Ende
The Neverending Story cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Fantasy
Technical:
  • ID: 833
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780140076196
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 1984-01-01
  • Formats: 83
  • Reviews: 4
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Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99–£8.99 Hardback • £16.99
Bookshop
Format • £7.59

In 'The Neverending Story,' young Bastian Balthazar Bux is a timid and overlooked boy who finds solace in a mysterious book. As he reads, he becomes a character within the story, embarking on a fantastical journey through the realm of Fantastica. His mission is to save this magical world from destruction, encountering a variety of creatures and challenges along the way. /n/n The novel explores themes of courage, self-discovery, and the power of imagination. It's a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, making it a timeless classic for readers of all ages.

Reviews
Jami Fairleigh's Blog · Jami Fairleigh · 2024-05-17
thoughtful 3.00

The book explores themes of imagination and self-belief, but the reviewer found it challenging. They consider it valuable despite their struggles with the novel.

Jami Fairleigh delves into the themes of imagination and self-belief in The Neverending Story, finding them profound and impactful. However, they admit to struggling more with the novel than they expected. Despite this, they consider it a valuable read, appreciating its depth and the messages it conveys. Fairleigh's review suggests that while the book might be challenging, it offers a rich and rewarding experience.

Quick quotes

    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.

    It's a book that makes you think and feel deeply.

Jami Fairleigh · Jami Fairleigh · 2024-05-17
valuable 3.00

The book explores deep themes like the power of imagination and self-belief, but the reviewer struggled with it more than expected. It is considered a valuable read despite the challenges.

Jami Fairleigh delves into the profound themes of imagination and self-belief presented in The Neverending Story. They found the book more challenging than anticipated, which might be due to its complex narrative and philosophical undertones. Despite these struggles, they acknowledge the book's value, particularly in how it encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the power of their imagination. The reviewer's personal connection to the book adds a layer of depth to their appreciation, even if it wasn't an easy read.

Quick quotes

    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.

    It's a book that encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the power of their imagination.

The Guardian · 2012-04-01
imaginative 4.00

The characters are not realistic, with some possessing magical abilities and unusual appearances. The reviewer finds the book to be a unique and imaginative exploration of fantasy.

The Guardian reviewer notes that the characters in The Neverending Story are not realistic, with some having magical abilities and unusual appearances. This adds to the book's unique and imaginative exploration of fantasy. They appreciate the creativity and originality of the story, even if the characters are not grounded in reality. The reviewer seems to enjoy the book's fantastical elements and the way it pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

Quick quotes

    The characters were definitely not all realistic because some could do magic, and the characters definitely don't look normal.

    Contrary to those who might find this off-putting, I found it refreshing.

    The Neverending Story is a testament to the power of imagination.

Fantasy Book Review · 2012-01-01
nostalgic 3.32

The book is praised as a classic with a unique world and philosophy, though it feels distinctly old-fashioned. The reviewer appreciates its original concepts but finds it somewhat dated.

The reviewer at Fantasy Book Review highlights The Neverending Story as a classic with a unique world and philosophy. They appreciate the original concepts and the depth of the story, but also note that it feels distinctly old-fashioned. This might make it less accessible to modern readers. The reviewer seems to enjoy the book's unique take on fantasy, but acknowledges that some aspects might not resonate as strongly with today's audience.

Quick quotes

    The Neverending Story is undoubtedly a classic in many ways - unique world and philosophy, and some extremely nice concepts.

    Nevertheless, it feels a distinctly old-fashioned story.

    Some of the plot is thin.

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