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rystonlentil43's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is so much to chew on in this book! I think the first time I read it, when I was a kid, I only thought about the ideas about life the book is directly considering, but it's also full of implicit ideas about fantasy stories which are interesting to examine.
On a more straightforward level, it was fun to be invited to imagine a constant string of efficiently described and unique places and characters.
On a more straightforward level, it was fun to be invited to imagine a constant string of efficiently described and unique places and characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Bullying, Violence, and Death
jkpiowa's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I loved the movie as a kid, so I wanted to read the source material and eh... I prefer the movie.
I get that this was from the 70s, but only referring to Bastian as fat, pale, and weak over and over? And the "greenskins" that hunt the purple buffalo and are referred to as "savage"? Come on now.
I might have enjoyed this more as a kid, but still, as an adult I've read much better middle grade stories.
I get that this was from the 70s, but only referring to Bastian as fat, pale, and weak over and over? And the "greenskins" that hunt the purple buffalo and are referred to as "savage"? Come on now.
I might have enjoyed this more as a kid, but still, as an adult I've read much better middle grade stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Animal death
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Racism
ladylothlorien's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have mixed thoughts on this book because the writing style was a little weird to me. Things happened very quickly and there was a lot of “telling not showing” happening. It’s possible part of that is because it’s geared towards children, particularly boys. But I think it’s also because there are two halves to the book: the first half is familiar if you’ve seen the movie; it’s how Bastian comes to Fantastica and saves the Childlike Empress. The second half is Bastian’s adventures in Fantastica (I.e., Bastian learns the life lessons Fantastica has to teach him). It got a little tedious to watch him essentially throw a long tantrum but there were very sweet stories towards the end. So overall I have to give it four stars for a good story about a neglected boy who learns to love and shows his grief stricken father how to love again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Violence, Animal death, Suicide, and Bullying
If you’ve seen the film you know about the animal death. It is in some ways more devastating in the book; I cried like a childfionamatilda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Violence
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