Neverending Story
Posted: June 30, 2007 Filed under: Book of Sand Leave a comment
by Michael Ende
having seen the first neverending story movie numerous times, I was exceedingly perplexed when I came to the part of the book that correlated with the last 10 minutes of the movie: there were still roughly 250 pages remaining in the book. it turns out that the movie does indeed cover only the first half of the book. elements from the second half were used to build the plot of the sequel movie (the neverending story II: the next chapter), but in a very shoddy manner. it was a bit disheartening to read the second half; it would have made an extraordinarily enjoyable movie, had the plot been followed more faithfully. as with most book-to-movie transitions, the first half of the book was generally the same as the movie, although, of course, there was a much more intricate storyline. what I liked the most about the book as a whole was that it developed the main character so well, so believably. and it was not a simple good versus evil story. recommended for anyone who thought the movie was ridiculous, with a complete pansy of a main character.
The Saturdays
Posted: June 30, 2007 Filed under: Book of Sand Leave a comment
by Elizabeth Enright
my cousin told me I’d like this. when it wasn’t availale in my hometown library last year, I read gone-away lake instead, which was a fun but not really memorable story. the saturdays is about four siblings who decide to pool their weekly allowance and do something fun each saturday. unfortunately, after having read e. nesbit’s the story of the treasure-seekers and the wouldbegoods, I have a hard time being impressed with any collection of children less hilarious and well-developed than the bastables. therefore I feel no need to read anymore of elizabeth enright’s melendy quartet. sorry.
Inkspell
Posted: June 29, 2007 Filed under: Book of Sand 1 Comment
by Cornelia Funke
I got a copy of inkheart a year or two ago, and unintentionally stayed up all night reading it. so I was disappointed when I heard that inkspell was a much less interesting story. however, I’d like to put in my two bits’ worth and say that I’d place inkspell in my top 20 favorite books. (there really isn’t a list like that, but someday I may make one.) I bought it to read the week before we got married, and I’m glad I had such a fantastic book to keep me occupied. it may be that some people think the story is too predictable; the fact that I, who seldom gives a thought to the obvious foreshadowing in novels, was able to figure the story out does lend some credibility to the argument. but I felt that it was altogether so well-written (and, particularly, so well-translated) that it is quite definitely worth reading. as a general rule I shy away from trilogies or series, especially in juvenile literature; I like a book to be self-contained and not force me to hunger after a second, third, fourth book to understand the story as a whole. and I was actually quite surprised to find an obvious opening for a third ink novel as the ending of inkspell. pleased, though, because I very much enjoy cornelia funke’s writing. highly recommended to those who like juvenile fantasy.
Jarom
Mika
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