The Neverending Story Book Summary

In 'The Neverending Story', a young boy named Bastian discovers a magical book that draws him into the fantastical world of Fantastica, where he becomes part of an epic adventure. As he journeys alongside the warrior Atreyu, they must battle the sinister force of The Nothing that threatens to consume their world. Bastian learns that his own imagination holds the key to saving Fantastica, but with power comes responsibility. This enchanting tale blurs the lines between reality and fiction, inviting readers to reflect on their own dreams and fears. Will Bastian find the courage to confront his own truths and rewrite his destiny?

By Michael Ende

Published: 1997

"‘But in the end, it’s not the story that matters, it’s the journey through the imagination that counts.’"

Book Review of The Neverending Story

Read the book that inspired the classic coming-of-age film before it's back onscreen in select theaters this September! From award-winning German author Michael Ende, The Neverending Story is a classic tale of one boy and the book that magically comes to life. When Bastian happens upon an old book called The Neverending Story, he's swept into the magical world of Fantastica--so much that he finds he has actually become a character in the story! And when he realizes that this mysteriously enchanted world is in great danger, he also discovers that he is the one chosen to save it. Can Bastian overcome the barrier between reality and his imagination in order to save Fantastica? "An instantaneous leap into the magical . . . Energetic, innovative, and perceptive"—The Washington Post "A trumpet blast for the imagination."—Sunday Times

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‘But in the end, it’s not the story that matters, it’s the journey through the imagination that counts.’

The Neverending Story

By Michael Ende