When I first picked up The Neverending Story as a kid, I was a scrappy dreamer with an oversized imagination, perpetually searching for hidden doorways into magical worlds. Fast forward a few decades, and that same kid is now a grown-up who still gets chills at the idea of riding Falkor, the luckdragon, through the skies of Fantastica (yes, I know it’s called Fantasia in the movie, but book fans know the truth!).
This isn’t just a book. It’s THE book. A story that lives up to its name, refusing to be confined to its pages, seeping into your life like the nothingness that devours Fantastica—only, you know, in a good way.
Why The Neverending Story Is Unforgettable
Atreyu, the fearless warrior. Falkor, the luckdragon. Morla, the giant turtle with crippling ennui. Each character is so vivid, so weird, so unapologetically themselves, they could only live in the kind of world Michael Ende dreamed up. This isn’t your typical fairy tale where everyone sings a little song and solves their problems with glitter. No, this is a story where kids face existential threats, terrifying villains, and—brace yourself—themselves.
Bastian Balthazar Bux (try saying that three times fast) isn’t just the kid reading the book—he’s you. And when he escapes into the pages, you’re reminded of every time you got so lost in a story that the real world faded away. Only in this case, the story knows you’re reading it. It’s trippy in the best possible way.
The Lessons You’ll Carry Forever
This is a book about bravery, not the sword-swinging kind (although Atreyu has plenty of that) but the kind that happens when you face your reflection in the Magic Mirror Gate and confront who you really are. As a kid, that was terrifying. As an adult? It’s the kind of wake-up call we need every now and then.
Oh, and let's not forget: it’s a story that teaches us the power of imagination. Fantastica is built by human wishes, after all. Without dreams, creativity, and a little belief, the place crumbles into dust. It’s the kind of lesson that’s more relevant than ever in a world full of distractions that would have Gmork grinning with approval.
Why Every Child (and Adult) Should Read It
There’s no fluff here. No sugarcoated lessons. Michael Ende respects his readers, young and old, enough to dive into the deep end of the emotional pool. Kids need stories like this. Ones that challenge them, make them cry (RIP Artax, my heart still hurts), and remind them that they’re braver than they think.
And as an adult? Reading it again is like discovering a forgotten dream you had as a child. Sure, you might notice plot points or themes you missed before, but mostly, you’re reminded why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
My Favorite Moments
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Falkor’s Unshakable Positivity
Falkor is the ultimate hype-dragon. He’s like your best friend who always believes in you, even when you’ve got swamp muck in your hair and the world is literally falling apart. I want Falkor on speed dial. -
The Southern Oracle
Who else remembers being equal parts fascinated and freaked out by the twin sphinxes? Those glowing eyes, the trials… it’s nightmare fuel in the best way. -
Artax in the Swamps of Sadness
I still cry. Every. Single. Time. Watching (or reading) this as a kid taught me what it meant to feel something deeply for a character. It’s devastating and beautiful and a reminder of what stories can do. -
Bastian’s Transformation
Watching Bastian go from a timid, bookish kid to someone drunk on power and ultimately finding his way back to himself? Chef’s kiss.
Why Books Like This Matter
Books like The Neverending Story aren’t just stories—they’re roadmaps to who we are and who we can become. They introduce us to unlikely heroes, impossible creatures, and breathtaking adventures, all while whispering in our ear: This could be you.
So, whether you’re eight or eighty, do yourself a favor. Find a copy of The Neverending Story. Fall into its world, and let it remind you that sometimes, all it takes is a single wish to change everything.
And if you’re lucky? Maybe, just maybe, you’ll hear Falkor’s laugh echoing in your dreams.