The Neverending Story

Story

In an attempt to avoid school bullies, Bastian hides in an old bookshop where he finds The Neverending Story. Reading this, he is transported to Fantastica and becomes a character in the story. The magical world is in danger and it seems Bastian is the one to save it. Will his imagination win?

Why we chose it

A fantasy adventure, which celebrates a love of books and the joy of imagination.

Where it came from

The original idea was written by Ende on a scrap of paper and found in a box - ‘A young boy picks up a book, finds himself literally inside the story and has trouble getting out.’ The Neverending Story was written in German and first translated into English in 1983 by Ralph Manheim.

Where it went next

The story has had numerous adaptations from a film trilogy (which Ende disliked) to a stage play, a ballet and an opera. It is also famously captured in a chart hit single by Limahl which later featured in Stranger Things on Netflix. Several computer games have originated from the book.

Associated stories

In the early 2000s, six novels by different authors were published in Germany using characters and plotlines from the original book to create new stories. The series, called Legends of Fantastica, began with The King of Fools in 2003 and ended with Empress of the Words in 2004.