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142nd out of 460 books
—
653 voters
Rumo & Die Wunder im Dunkeln (Zamonien #3)
by
Walter Moers
Im fünften Kapitel seiner 13 1/2 Leben nahm Käpt'n Blaubär als Navigator des vagabundierenden Rettungssauriers Mac an einer folgenschweren Aktion teil: Er befreite Dutzende kleiner, herzzerreißend jaulender Wolpertingerwelpen aus einem Haus, das nur Sekundenbruchteile später von einem Bolloghintern zerquetscht werden sollte. Sieben Leben später begegnete er einem dieser We...more
Paperback, 693 pages
Published
August 2004
by Piper
(first published January 1st 2003)
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Dec 21, 2007
Lisa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone with a sense of fun
Shelves:
childrensbooksforadults
Moers may have become my favorite author. I picked this book up on a whim, off the sale table at Powell's, and it was stunning. I think it's a children's book, but it's the rare children's book that doesn't adjust the language to read at "a sixth-grade reading level" or sanitize any of the violence. This book turned out to be the beautiful love child of J.K. Rowling and Norton Juster, raised by L. Frank Baum and the entire staff DC Comics. Beautifully illustrated, marvelously gory and violent wh...more
Moers continues to impress me with his wild flights of fantasy and imagination. Prepped as I was after having read "The City Of Dreaming Books", however, I'd learned to get used to Moer's wacky land of Zamonia and was not completely blown away this time.
This is not a bad thing. After all, you could say Moer's lost the advantage of surprise on me, but this is irrelevant because the story of Rumo performs admirably well in holding my fickle attention anyway.
It's essentially a heroic fable set agai...more
This is not a bad thing. After all, you could say Moer's lost the advantage of surprise on me, but this is irrelevant because the story of Rumo performs admirably well in holding my fickle attention anyway.
It's essentially a heroic fable set agai...more
The follow-up to Moers' 13 1/2 LIVES OF CAPTAIN BLUEBEAR, this novel gives us the story of two late characters in that book, the Wolperting hero Rumo of Zamonia and his less savory associate, Volzotan Smyke, a gambling-addicted sharkgrub.
And if those introductory words don't put you off, then this might be the book for you.
Unlike the absurdist memoir character of BLUEBEAR, Rumo's story has a more directed arc - one defined by a Silver Thread that only he can see that beckons him to places beyon...more
And if those introductory words don't put you off, then this might be the book for you.
Unlike the absurdist memoir character of BLUEBEAR, Rumo's story has a more directed arc - one defined by a Silver Thread that only he can see that beckons him to places beyon...more
I was caught up in a phase where I was reading quite heavy historical material and wanted a light-hearted, non-fiction book that would engage my mind in a realm of imagination. This was exactly what I was looking for. I have read a few of Walter Moers books, this one definitely being my favorite. There is a resonance with the occult in this story to an extent, a sort of unknown entity, subtle passage or enigma that lies underneath. It appears as though it may be a book suited for children/young...more
I completely disagree with the Washington Post - Rumo is no mash-up of Rowling/Douglas Adams/Shel Silverstein, nor is it *silly*. Moers is like no one else I've ever read, I think I can safely say that he stands alone in his style of writing. This particular novel has more plotline than previous ones I've read, and yes, it was too long - but it was too much of a *good* thing, which is better than too much of a bad thing. Everyone has got to try reading a Moers book at least once - he is so fabul...more
3 likes · like · see review
The second book in the now Zamonia Quadrilogy (loosely connected), is the story of a young Wolperting pup named Rumo, and his adventures growing up. Some of the absurd things here are: Roaming Rock, a moving boulder that is home to a bunch of Demonacles, one-eyed ravenous cyclopses, a double-bladed talking sword named Dandelion, Gornab the Ninety-Ninth insane king of Hel, and General Tick-tock and his Copper Killers. This last one is probably the most richly imagined part of the book. General Ti...more
They always say never to judge a book by its cover, but I always do. In my opinion it should be "Don't Judge a book ONLY by its cover." but the cover should be judged.
The reason I say this is because I went to the library one day pressed for time. I am odd with how i look around at books. I really just go to a genre section I like, then find a good title, then if i like the cover+title I scope out a few pages to see how it is written, then I go from there.
This book had me at the cover. I love w...more
The reason I say this is because I went to the library one day pressed for time. I am odd with how i look around at books. I really just go to a genre section I like, then find a good title, then if i like the cover+title I scope out a few pages to see how it is written, then I go from there.
This book had me at the cover. I love w...more
Ah, if only I could give half star reviews, because if I could, that bright shining bar at the top would be lacking one tiny sliver.
"Rumo" is much like its predecessor, "Captain Bluebear", only instead of a collection of tales it focuses on a single one. This would be fantastic... if Rumo himself wasn't such a bland character.
Oh, the writing is fantastic and the story itself really is fresh and original... but the only problem is the lead himself. That is, literally, all that is wrong with thi...more
"Rumo" is much like its predecessor, "Captain Bluebear", only instead of a collection of tales it focuses on a single one. This would be fantastic... if Rumo himself wasn't such a bland character.
Oh, the writing is fantastic and the story itself really is fresh and original... but the only problem is the lead himself. That is, literally, all that is wrong with thi...more
If you mixed together The Princess Bride, The Phantom Tollbooth, and 300, then you might have something approaching Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures. Rumo is a well-written fantasy with strange creatures, graphic fighting, and a very high body count. I loved how it told stories within stories. This was especially prominent near the beginning of the book, and I thought it was brilliant; however, as the book went on there were fewer stories within stories and the frame story became the main ac...more
I picked this book up on a whim from the local used book store. A walking talking wolf thing wielding a dandelion knife possessed by a demon just sounded fun. The blurb stating the book was equal parts J.K. Rowling, Douglas Adams, and Shell Silverstein seemed a little hard to live up to, but it was interesting praise none the less. When I looked on goodreads and saw an average rating of over 4 stars, I was sold.
I'm a bit sad to say that the book didn't live up to the four star rating, the high...more
I'm a bit sad to say that the book didn't live up to the four star rating, the high...more
I was at once taken in by this great saga of a wolperting dog who is smarter and braver than most inhabitants from his Island Zamonia.
If a bit more graphically violent than it's first companion book " The first 13 &1/2 lives of Captain Bluebear", the miraculous adventures of this hero begin with his kidnapping as a baby. His unfortunate luck brings him to be a captive on a floating rock inhabited by savage cyclops whose main desire is to eat live beings in gruesome manners. Fortunately, thi...more
If a bit more graphically violent than it's first companion book " The first 13 &1/2 lives of Captain Bluebear", the miraculous adventures of this hero begin with his kidnapping as a baby. His unfortunate luck brings him to be a captive on a floating rock inhabited by savage cyclops whose main desire is to eat live beings in gruesome manners. Fortunately, thi...more
The one of the great achievements of Rumo is that, despite being a book of epic proportions, never becomes a chore to read. There are many more to choose from: for example, the delightful illustrations by the author spaced throughout, the biazare flights of imagination, the varied and unique characters, and a plot that is strange but never hard to follow.
Strange is a good way to describe Rumo, but it is a strangeness grounded in both science and in literary savviness. Cliches are subverted with...more
Strange is a good way to describe Rumo, but it is a strangeness grounded in both science and in literary savviness. Cliches are subverted with...more
Amazing story, from beginning to end. There are so many different little tidbits in here, and the tale is quite involved, but the authors descriptions are magnificent. I'd honestly recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, particularly stories that are quest based.
This is the first Walter Moers book that I've read, I'm planning to tackle either Captain Bluebear, or The City of Dreaming Books next. My favorite part of this book is the way its almost split up into sections, so no matter where yo...more
This is the first Walter Moers book that I've read, I'm planning to tackle either Captain Bluebear, or The City of Dreaming Books next. My favorite part of this book is the way its almost split up into sections, so no matter where yo...more
(First ever, so hope you don't mind)
Amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. Oh why can't I come up with better words.
I loved The City of Dreaming Books and The Alchemaster's Apprentice. But I had problems with The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear. The first two were just brilliant and left me in awe of his ideas, words and overall style of writing. The latter one was kind of too much. At parts it seemed like the story didn't progress. There were at times to many crazy ideas. And this overwhelming feeling le...more
Amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. Oh why can't I come up with better words.
I loved The City of Dreaming Books and The Alchemaster's Apprentice. But I had problems with The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear. The first two were just brilliant and left me in awe of his ideas, words and overall style of writing. The latter one was kind of too much. At parts it seemed like the story didn't progress. There were at times to many crazy ideas. And this overwhelming feeling le...more
Nov 19, 2010
ilovepancakes
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one.
Wacky. Weird. Whimsical. A wonderful cure for chronic insomnia.
I understand that the native language of this book is not English, so I ought to cut some slack, but I am traumatized from the agonizing amount of effort I put in to finish this book. I almost quit after 300 pages, but, by God, I swore I would not let some measly book defeat me! I never give up on a book, unless it is "The Tommyknockers" or "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
I almost kept a running tally of redundant words,
...more
Some vague spoilers are present.
OMZamonia, after reading Blubear, I had doubts that a Zamonian adventure could rise to the big, furry wayfarer's level of awesome, but Mr. Moers and John Brownjohn has rocked my simple one brain again. Rumo, who plays a small part in The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, is front and center here, as is his pal Smyke, perhaps my favorite duo since Batman met Robin.
So, in this novel, which is split into 2 parts, we get a cast of characters that tie together like a...more
OMZamonia, after reading Blubear, I had doubts that a Zamonian adventure could rise to the big, furry wayfarer's level of awesome, but Mr. Moers and John Brownjohn has rocked my simple one brain again. Rumo, who plays a small part in The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, is front and center here, as is his pal Smyke, perhaps my favorite duo since Batman met Robin.
So, in this novel, which is split into 2 parts, we get a cast of characters that tie together like a...more
Walter Moers is a story teller.
Not a novelist, not a brilliant literary genius... he is a story teller. His genius is in spinning a yarn and ensuring you are hooked. He may have ADHD, the way keeps changing track and tells stories about each character, each city, each historical event... and through all of it he keeps you hooked.
Rumo, a wolperting- which is a half dog, half deer- and his journey through Zamonia to find Rala, his silver thread... his encounters with the copper killers, his journ...more
Not a novelist, not a brilliant literary genius... he is a story teller. His genius is in spinning a yarn and ensuring you are hooked. He may have ADHD, the way keeps changing track and tells stories about each character, each city, each historical event... and through all of it he keeps you hooked.
Rumo, a wolperting- which is a half dog, half deer- and his journey through Zamonia to find Rala, his silver thread... his encounters with the copper killers, his journ...more
Jul 26, 2012
Noora
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasia,
nuortenkirjat
Ihan mahtava kirja! Kaikki Moersin kirjat ovat olleet loistavia ja Rumo ei petä odotuksia. Alku ei ole ihan niin mukaansatempaava, mutta noin sadan sivun jälkeen alkaa tapahtua niin paljon, ettei kirjaa malta jättää kesken lainkaan. Kirjailijan kuvitustyyli on hillittömän hauska ja suomennos erinomainen. Kirjasta ei kertakaikkiaan löydy juuri moitittavaa, paitsi se, että suomeksi kirja julkaistiin kahdessa osassa ja juoni jää ikävästi kesken...
Kommentit toiseen osaan: Paikoittain suorastaan raak...more
Kommentit toiseen osaan: Paikoittain suorastaan raak...more
Very fun...gets stronger as it goes...very imaginative with a surprisingly British sensibility (surprising given that the writer is German). It's like a combination of a Grimm fairy tale, the Hobbit, a Miyazaki film, and Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'd rather give it 3.5 stars, but it's worth reading for those who like fantasy books.
One of my favorite books. An amazing story that follows the life of Rumo, a brave little Wolperting (a sort of dog creature with deer horns), and the incredible characters he meets along the way.
Recommended for fans of Douglas Adams, Monty Python, or anyone that enjoys a good fantasy.
Recommended for fans of Douglas Adams, Monty Python, or anyone that enjoys a good fantasy.
I read this book immediately after I finished reading Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, and I must say that I think those two were sniffing glue together in Junior High when they came up with these stories.
The story is fantastic, while a little absurd; the characters are all given unique personalities and you gotta love the talking sword named Dandelion. I thought this book was hilarious, light hearted, epic, gruesome, and imaginative all at the same time. The little subplots and historic backg...more
The story is fantastic, while a little absurd; the characters are all given unique personalities and you gotta love the talking sword named Dandelion. I thought this book was hilarious, light hearted, epic, gruesome, and imaginative all at the same time. The little subplots and historic backg...more
9/10
Pur mantenendo alto il livello di creatività che aveva fatto la fortuna de “Le tredici vite e mezzo del capitano Orso Blu”, la trama di questo libro risulta più compatta, meno dispersiva e dai toni più epici (parliamo nientepopodimeno che del primo eroe di Zamonia!). Le scazzottate sono all’ordine del giorno, come pure le risate (nostre) e i rimandi al complesso universo di creature, personaggi e luoghi che avevamo già imparato a conoscere e amare nel libro precedente; il viaggio in Tartaro...more
Pur mantenendo alto il livello di creatività che aveva fatto la fortuna de “Le tredici vite e mezzo del capitano Orso Blu”, la trama di questo libro risulta più compatta, meno dispersiva e dai toni più epici (parliamo nientepopodimeno che del primo eroe di Zamonia!). Le scazzottate sono all’ordine del giorno, come pure le risate (nostre) e i rimandi al complesso universo di creature, personaggi e luoghi che avevamo già imparato a conoscere e amare nel libro precedente; il viaggio in Tartaro...more
Let me just take a few minutes to say that I have been reading voraciously for years and the three novels I have ready by Walter Moers are some of my favorite of all time. He is truly like no one else. Above and beyond fantastical. I loved Rumo, although it is admittedly the darkest of the three. If you haven't read anything by Moers yet I suggest starting with The City of Dreaming Books and working your way up from there as the other two (Rumo, and The Thirteen and a Half Lives of Captain Blueb...more
Oh war das toll. Ich habs natürlich geschafft die Bücher komplett achronologisch zu lesen, aber das tut dem Ganzen keinen Abbruch. Bemerkenswert finde ich nicht nur die Fülle an Sub-plots und Geschichten in Geschichten die alle letztlich von Bedeutung sind, sondern auch die Tatsache, dass die unaussprechlichen Grausamkeiten das wohlige Gefühl, dass sich bei mir einstellte, nicht kleinkriegen konnten. Ich war entrüstet, empört, angeekelt und dann kurz darauf entzückt, glücklich und verzaubert.
Ru...more
Ru...more
This book reads like a children's book for adults. Although the tale starts off innocently enough, and maintains a child-like quality, it quickly delves into a lot of violence and some pretty scary ideas/monsters. (Nurn Forest, The Metal Maiden, The Vrahoks!) So don't look at the illustrations and think this is good for younger children, unless you think that they can handle ample violence and literary gore!
The book is broken down into two parts:The Overworld and the Underworld. I personally enj...more
The book is broken down into two parts:The Overworld and the Underworld. I personally enj...more
I absolutely love Walter Moers and his unique style of writing, he has amazing imagination and yet somehow manages to link it closely enough to the modern world that his explanation of the world as it was actually seems slightly plausible. The ending did feel somewhat predictable towards the end and even at certain other parts in between, but the sheer craziness in between keeps you guessing and keeps you interested. It is a long book with a semi complex list of characters so reading it quickly...more
Apr 08, 2009
Ben
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Ben by:
Kasey
Shelves:
fantasy
Rumo is a fairly typical journey/fantasy. Moers works in plenty of zaniness, which sometimes is funny and sometimes is not. The book starts out well, but in order to bring about a really big climax, the plot wanders a bit from about page 100 to about page 300 to set all the disparate sub-plots and characters in motion, but after you plug through the middle the last 400 pages fly by with plenty of action and almost completely makes up for the slow parts. The resolution was fine, Moers does a good...more
A fun, easy read and thoroughly enjoyable - though at several points I did stop reading and think 'What on earth am I reading?' There may be a deeper level to this book that I am unaware of - because I am a very literal reader. Subtexts elude me always. But I never stopped enjoying the book - just kept wondering if there was a hidden agenda that I was missing. In the end I decided that the take-home lesson (if any) was to appreciate things for what they are - much like the main character Rumo do...more
This might be one of the best stories I've ever read! This book is full of ideas, interesting characters, places and creatures so well developed they feel almost real. Don't be fooled in thinking this is (only) a children's book: it deals with themes as love and courage but also with darker stuff like death and sadism.
Moers can easily compete with Rowling, Dahl and Ende. His drawings are really fun to watch and make it even more memorable.
Something that struck me is that in the 745 pages of th...more
Moers can easily compete with Rowling, Dahl and Ende. His drawings are really fun to watch and make it even more memorable.
Something that struck me is that in the 745 pages of th...more
Feb 03, 2012
Natalie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sam Watson, Emily Watson
Shelves:
read-in-2012
Having stumbled upon this book at the library, I didn't realize until I looked it up on Goodreads that it is part of a series. Even so, I didn't have any feeling that I had missed something, so there's no reason not to jump into this volume. Overall it was a very creative, imaginative, fun story. It really feels like a fantasy version of the Hitchhiker's Guide. I also thought the illustrations were a nice touch. I can't think of any other adult fictions that come with pictures, but I'm not asham...more
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Walter Moers was born in 1957 and is a writer, cartoonist, painter and sculptor. He has refused to be photographed ever since his comic strips The Little Asshole and Adolf were published, the latter leading him to be declared persona non grata by the political right in Germany. Walter Moers lives in Hamburg.
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“Lest soviel ihr könnt! Lest Straßenschilder und Speisekarten, lest die Anschläge im Bürgermeisteramt, lest von mir aus Schundliteratur - aber lest! Lest! Sonst seid ihr verloren!”
—
12 people liked it
“Rumo!" said Rumo.
"That's right!" Smyke exclaimed. "You Rumo, me Smyke."
"You Rumo, me Smyke." Rumo repeated eagerly.
"No, no." Smyke chuckled.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
"That's right!" Smyke exclaimed. "You Rumo, me Smyke."
"You Rumo, me Smyke." Rumo repeated eagerly.
"No, no." Smyke chuckled.”
ooooooooooo
:O)
Nov 09, 2012 03:40am