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02 September 2010
When I read recently that The Neverending Story had been voted the most favourite German book of all time I was surprised. Not because I was expecting something by Goethe or Hesse, but because I didn't know The Neverending Story was German.
And so began a wonderful series of discoveries – the kind of connecting the dots that I enjoy so much. My trip down memory lane (with obligatory visits to youtube) led me to discover the author, Michael Ende had earlier written stories about Jim Knopf and Lucas the Engine Driver. And of course, wouldn't you know it, one of those books was already sitting on my shelves. Unlike everyone else in Germany, I had absolutely no idea that it was a well-loved and famous book. I simply picked it up because of the fabulous (yet rather questionable in this day and age) illustrations. |
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The more I read the more I loved. My favourite character is Tur-Tur who is lonely because he seems to be a giant from the distance, despite the fact that he is actually normal sized when you are right next to him. In this book he is gainfully employed as a lighthouse. But there is someone here for everyone – pirates, mermaids, a monarch called King Alfred the Quarter to Twelve and the polite bowler-hat-wearing Mr Sleeve. As if that wasn't enough, you can also watch Jim and Lucas as marionettes (with very inventive plastic sheeting waves). I'm sure to find Jim at every turn now that I know who he is. It's his 50th birthday this year after all. |
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Pictures by
Franz Josef Tripp
Story by
Michael Ende
Published by
K Thienemanns, 1962
Found in
Berlin