Scan barcode
rystonlentil43's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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
fionamatilda'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
amotoquinha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Fatphobia
poisonenvy's review against another edition
This is the sort of book that makes me wish I had children, because I would have liked very much to read this story to them at night before bed, and maybe ask how they would write their own story in Fantastica.
Unfortunately, just reading it for myself was a bit of a slough. Firsr, the most basic complaint: 1979 was a very different time, but having Bastian complaining about how fat and ugly he is and then immediately turning him slender and handsome once he comes to Fantastica is an issue.
And for the more systemic issues?
This book's pacing is all over the place. Every conflict is immediately solved without the slightest bit of difficulty. It's just boring, and not especially well written, and Bastian is not a terribly likeable character, but he's likewise not a terribly <I>interesting</I> character, and once the story truly becomes his in the second half, if just couldn't hold me.
Children's literature went through a huge transformation in the 90s, where the characters developed more depth, the stories more complexity, and it shifted from stories that were meant to impart lessons to stories that were meant to entertain. .
But there are a ton of examples of early children's lit that still safisfy, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald.
Unfortunately, this is not it.
I still trust that this would be a good story to read to a young child, but it's just not something I'm interested in reading as an adult, especially when there are other books I want to read more keenly.
Unfortunately, just reading it for myself was a bit of a slough. Firsr, the most basic complaint: 1979 was a very different time, but having Bastian complaining about how fat and ugly he is and then immediately turning him slender and handsome once he comes to Fantastica is an issue.
And for the more systemic issues?
This book's pacing is all over the place. Every conflict is immediately solved without the slightest bit of difficulty. It's just boring, and not especially well written, and Bastian is not a terribly likeable character, but he's likewise not a terribly <I>interesting</I> character, and once the story truly becomes his in the second half, if just couldn't hold me.
Children's literature went through a huge transformation in the 90s, where the characters developed more depth, the stories more complexity, and it shifted from stories that were meant to impart lessons to stories that were meant to entertain. .
But there are a ton of examples of early children's lit that still safisfy, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald.
Unfortunately, this is not it.
I still trust that this would be a good story to read to a young child, but it's just not something I'm interested in reading as an adult, especially when there are other books I want to read more keenly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying
sienneis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
scottyreadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Fatphobia
More...