Unicorns, dragons, sprites, will-o’-the-wisps: the inhabitants of an enchanted world. And into this world – through the pages of an old book – ventures Bastian, a lonely boy of ten or twelve. But Fantastica is slowly decaying, its Childlike Empress dying. Only a real human being can set things right by giving the Empress a new name. Bastian takes up the challenge, and finds himself crossing the Swamps of Sadness and the Silver Mountains, meeting sorcerers and giants, bats and night-hobs, gnomes and racing snails, as he journeys bravely toward the Ivory Tower, Bastian’s quest is filled with all the wonders of myth and fairy tale. It is a fantasy adventure that will capture your heart – and recapture the magical dreams of childhood.
I didn't dislike [b:The Neverending Story|27712|The Neverending Story|Michael Ende|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266454227s/27712.jpg|1122661]. In many ways the plot wasn't fascinating because the first half of the book is the movie (though it adds some sense and explanation to the movie and reveals the story to be stronger and more interesting). I liked the tangents of stories, the way he broadened his narrative by telling you all the stories that went off on in their own direction (though, having articulated that out loud, I realize it's not as artfully done as Tolkien who evoked a largely mythology in his stories without the need to tell you that's what he was doing).
What it was lacking, for me, was depth. It had a lot of the elements of myth, but without the resonance or power of a story that truly reaches deep within us and evokes something beyond the walls of this world. Bastian's journey was a fine examination of a boy growing into dignity and strength and maturity and all of the things required for that like bravery and sacrifice and nurturing and love and friendship. But it's a simple myth, lacking the depth of significance (where luck stands in for fate or providence which are more deeper, more powerful things).
I'd probably be kinder to it if it were lovelier. But it's full of harsh consonants and awkward words and strange creatures. I'm partial to the of wonder and grandeur Tolkien or the nobility of Lewis.
