The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and Ralph Manheim

Bastian Balthazar Bux is shy, awkward, and certainly not heroic. His only escape is reading books. 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 has been the one chosen to save it. Can Bastian overcome the barrier between reality and his imagination in order to save Fantastica?
(back cover)

It's late, but I wanted to review this before bed.

I was looking for a book to listen to at work. (So long as I get my job done, I can listen to whatever I want). This has been on my “to-read” list for quite some time. I recently rewatched the film and decided to give the book a chance.

The book completely destroyed the movie. (Not a surprise. Most books are better than their films). I was surprised to find out the movie only covers the first half of the story. There is an entire second half I knew nothing about. This was rather exciting. I was drawn in with the familiar and was carried on a second adventure.

The book was original and delightful. It was at times difficult to follow all the character names, but I loved the originality. I'd like to pick up the physical copy of this book and re-read it.

This was so interesting and fun!

I was surprised to discover that both the movie and its sequel were derived from this book - I hadn't thought the sequel was based on anything. That being said, the book is terrible. It lags on, it writes characters out for no reason, and Bastian is completely unlikeable. I'm glad I read it, but I loved the movies WAY more.