Introducing: The great Books by Michael Ende – don't miss!

 

 

Of all, you will probably know The Neverending Story, as it is the most famous work of Michael Ende, and you might just know it because of the movie. But: There is so much more and, well, you need to read them! Why? How else would you know what a pseudo giant is, how life time is mastered and distributed or how powerful your imaginations and your dreams are?

What all of Michael Ende's works have in common is that they are very unique stories. There are no others like them. They are super creative and as fanciful as books get. Plus, they each mix adventure, the fantastic, profound experience and life wisdom into one epic tale.

The stories teem with funny instances and humor, making reading them all the more enjoyable. For instance, one main character meets a gigantic, ancient turtle called Morla, who has an allergy against youth, sneezing so forcefully, the boy almost gets blown into the swamp.

I will focus on the three major works (no spoilers).

Momo, Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver and The Neverending Story have been written as children's tales. But, make no mistake, they are true treasures and worth a read for everybody!

Momo and the questions of what is time and the essence of life?

This book is proof that you can write modern fairy tales full of magic and wisdom. Momo is a little girl living on her own. She is somewhat wild, doesn't know her own age and has named herself.

One day she notices how people around her change. The so-called Men in Grey go about a shady business, talking to people, telling them that they need to save time and store their life time into a time bank. 

Momo does not like the change she sees in people. After organizing a rally, which proves futile, she searches for Master Hora, the master of time. A turtle, called Cassiopiopeia and who can communicate with her, helps Momo, and so, her perilous journey begins.

I have re-read this book so many times. As a child and as an adult, I loved it. Momo encompasses loveable characters and raises major questions such as how much value the life time you are given has. The story holds so much meaning, but I do not want to spoil anything. So, just read it.

The great adventures and fantastic encounters of Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver

Living on a tiny island the people receive a package by the postman (coming by ship), which has a baby inside. Luke, who drives the locomotive called Emma around the island, adopts the boy now called Jim. 

As he gets older, the inhabitants worry there won't be enough room for him to live. Thus, Luke converts Emma to a ship and wants to bring her somewhere else. Jim joins the journey, which takes them a lot farther than they had planned.

They stumble upon riddles and puzzle pieces to Jim's origin. They meet a pseudo giant, an emperor´s family, dragons, mermaids and the like. Their journey simply turns into one great adventure.

To me, Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver is the most fantastic and fun tale of Michael Ende's books. I loved the characters. I can find nothing bad to say about this novel.

The Neverending Story and why our imagination is so meaningful

The story revolves around Bastian Balthazar Bux, a neglected and bullied boy who steals a book titled The Neverending Story from a bookstore. In the book, he reads about Fantastica, a magical land ruled by the Childlike Empress. She's ill, and a boy warrior named Atreyu sets out on a quest to find a cure, aided by creatures like Falkor the luckdragon. 

As Bastian reads, he realizes the characters seem aware of him. Atreyu faces challenges, including encountering Gmork, a servant of the force causing destruction, who reveals his treachery. With Falkor's help, Atreyu escapes imminent danger from The Nothing.

Falkor and Atreyu bring Bastian to the Childlike Empress, who implies that Bastian is her rescuer, though he doubts it. When Bastian hesitates to speak the new name needed to save her, the Empress takes matters into her own hands. She finds the Old Man of Wandering Mountain, who possesses a similar book titled The Neverending Story, and compels him to read it aloud. 

Bastian is astonished to find the story repeating itself, including his own actions. He understands that without his intervention, the story will endlessly repeat. 

Bastian, thus, intervenes and suddenly finds himself in the story. Now, the true adventure begins. It is filled with harsh challenges, encounters with curious beings such as the rock-biters and rides a magical dragon.

What is the worth of our imagination? What meaning do our dreams have? How much power does each human being hold? These are questions tackled in The Neverending Story as we accompany the characters on their fantastic journey. I strongly recommend reading the books instead of watching the movie, or at least reading them before watching.

 

About the Author

Michael Ende (1929-1995) was a renowned German author. Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Ende exhibited a passion for storytelling from an early age. Despite facing challenges during his youth due to his family's opposition to his artistic pursuits, he persevered and pursued his dream of becoming a writer.

Ende's literary career flourished in the 1960s and 1970s with the publication of several notable works, but he achieved international acclaim with his masterpiece, The Neverending Story (1979). Through his journey, Ende explores themes of imagination, courage, and the power of storytelling. The Neverending Story became a cultural phenomenon, captivating readers of all ages with its richly imagined universe and profound philosophical undertones.

Ende's other notable works include Momo (1973), a fable about the importance of time and human connection, and Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver (1960), a beloved children's book series filled with adventure and whimsy. His writing often delved into themes of existentialism, the nature of reality, and the conflict between good and evil.

Throughout his career, Ende received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to literature, including the German Youth Literature Prize and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing. His works have been translated into over 40 languages and continue to captivate readers around the world.

Ende died in Germany in 1995 due to cancer.

Michael Ende's legacy as a visionary storyteller endures, inspiring generations of readers with his enchanting tales and profound insights into the human experience.