Books

What is the book about?

A little boy named Bastian comes across a book called The Neverending Story, which tells a tale of Atreyu and his quest to save Fantasia. The land of Fantasia literally has everything you can imagine, since it is the land of human imagination. As Bastian reads, he discovers that he himself is the one to save Fantasia, and by doing so, he gets lost in the book and must find his true identity in the real world.

Isn't this a book for children?

Not really. On the surface, The Neverending Story can be easily seen as a book for children. However, the novel contains many themes that only an adult could fully grasp. Michael Ende intended this book to bring out the child in all of us, and he accomplishes this so well.

General Information

Original title: Die Unendliche Geschicte
Author: Michael Ende
Illustrated by: Roswitha Quadflieg
Translated to English by: Ralph Manheim

Number of countries sold in: Over 50
Original copyright: K. Thienemanns Verlag, 1979
Translation copyright: Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1983

Book Reviews

Please note that these reviews, especially the last two, can spoil parts of the book--read at your own risk!

Also note that "Fantasia", "Fantastica", and "Fantasiana" are all the same, depending on the book copy I suppose. The original German was "Fantasien", which is more like "Fantasia" than any of the others, according to my sources.

Book Covers and Information

How to find it

Look at your local library

If your library uses the Library of Congress call numbers, then the book is listed as "PT 2665 .N27 U513". Otherwise, look under the author's name: Ende, Michael.

Look at your local book store

The book should be in the fantasy section or possibly the children's section. Only large book stores will probably have the book; however, most book stores will be glad to order the book for you at no extra cost.

Look online

There are many online book sellers from which you can order. Amazon and Barnes and Noble are two examples.

Related to the Film

Der Film - Die Unendliche Geschichte (The Film - The Neverending Story) by Remy Eyssen (original German edition/behind-the-scenes photos and a day-by-day description of the production, 183 pages, out-of-print) Below First
The World of the Neverending Story by Paper Tiger Ltd (large format, full color describing the film including story-boards by Juan Japl and Ul de Rico, 125 pages, out-of-print) Below Second
Phantasien in Halle 4/5 by Ulli Pfau Below Third
The Neverending Story Picture Album by Michael Teitelbaum (24 pages, out-of-print) Sept 1984. Below Fourth