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Inkheart (Inkworld #1)

by Cornelia Funke, Anthea Bell (Translator)

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 144,843 ratings · 6,967 reviews

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Paperback, 534 pages

Published September 2004 by Scholastic Inc.

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Jul 08, 2008 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed-from-library, kids

I was very much looking forward to reading this, as it had very good word-of-mouth as a high-quality children's/YA fantasy that adults will also enjoy. And the premise, that characters can exist in the "real world" outside of books, or that real people can enter the world inside a book, is endlessly appealing. However, my local library is on the verge of opening a new wing with my overdue book fines on this, because I keep hanging onto it in the hope that eventually I will be able to finish read...more I was very much looking forward to reading this, as it had very good word-of-mouth as a high-quality children's/YA fantasy that adults will also enjoy. And the premise, that characters can exist in the "real world" outside of books, or that real people can enter the world inside a book, is endlessly appealing. However, my local library is on the verge of opening a new wing with my overdue book fines on this, because I keep hanging onto it in the hope that eventually I will be able to finish reading it.

I think it's just not going to happen. First of all, there is something very stilted and anachronistic in the writing, and I can't tell whether that's just Cornelia Funke, or a result of the translation work. Also, the book is simply too long. It takes 150 pages for anything to begin to happen, and that's much too long, even for an adult book. I blame J.K. Rowling for this kind of bloating.

Finally, I'm extremely annoyed by people, whether real or fictional, who pat themselves on the back for loving books. People have loved books for as long as there have been books, and even before books, people loved storytelling and drama. You're not a special kind of intellect for loving books and wordplay. The people in Inkheart are paraded before us as people with an extra special super duper love of books that is so powerful that they can cause the boundary between books and reality to melt. But just carrying around favorite books in a little trunk and bragging you've loved books since you were a baby and could read before you could talk and so forth isn't particularly magical or distinctive or worthy of praise, and I got tired pretty quickly of Meggie and her father and aunt and their extreme reverence for books. Capping it off is Funke's annoying habit of using an epigram from other (mostly fantasy) books for each chapter. If she found those inspiring, fine, stick them on your bulletin board while writing. But they were yet more reason to jump out of the story, rather than having it propel along.(less)

107 likes · like · see review

Mar 11, 2008 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of great stories and detailed plots and characters

Recommended to Ann by: Katie! Thanks again!:D

Shelves: fantasy, actionadventure, young-adult

What a great story!
This is quite the page-turner! I was driven to read more by both the action/adventure and the plot/conclusion. Both are excellently written! Funke’s style of writing (and indeed the translation made by Anthea Bell) makes for a smooth and beautiful read.
Wonderfully drawn and very detailed characters fill this book from cover to cover, each character being unique and complete. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, which adds another interesting dimension to the story and p...more

35 likes · like · see review

May 06, 2008 Dana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oy... I really wanted to like this book. I had such high hopes for it. It was one of those books that whenever my students saw me reading it they said, "Oh, I really liked that book! It was so good." So, I thought it would be great. It just wasn't. The story was nice. In short (very short): Meggie's father repairs books. Her mother disappeared nine years ago. After a mysterious visitor shows up at their house, Meggie finds out that her father has a secret. He can read characters out of books. Ni...more

50 likes · like · see review

Oct 18, 2007 Kathryn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: very-favorites, childrens-picture-books, fantasy-sci-fi

A wonderful, imaginative story. The characters are so vivid, the tale so engaging, the prose so poetic... A glorious tale for anyone who ever dreamed of being transported into the stories she reads, or of having friends from the tales brought into our world!

On her website, author Cornelia Funke says,
"I didn't suspect that this story would grow untill it could fill more than one book. I have dreamed for a long time of writing a story in which characters from a book come into our world. Which book...more

17 likes · like · see review

Aug 03, 2007 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of all things books

Shelves: booksilove, highestrecommendation, childrens, youngadults

This book is everything I ever wanted. It's a book about a book and lovers of books. It's very self-affirming for me. Now I don't feel like a COMPLETE goober for 1) smelling books 2) learning Elvish or 3) bringing at least 5 books with me everywhere I go.

Note: just because I don't FEEL like a complete goober, does not mean I am not one.

"Inkheart" is the first in a trilogy. "Inkspell" is already out, and "Inkdeath" will be out in 2008.

You may not love "Inkheart" in and of itself; however, if you...more

33 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2013 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1. Don't watch the movie. Please, don't watch it, the movie is nothing compared with the books!

2. This series is a must-read for all book-lovers, if you ask me...

A father who can awake characters from books just by reading and a daughter with equal abilities.
A series about books and reading. A series that offeres exciting adventures, lots of reading, love and friendship, danger, amazing characters and sympathetic villians...

What more does a true book-lover need?!
Right...Nothing!

This is one of...more

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 26, 2009 Em rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really liked the concept of this book. How many times have I dreamed of being a wizard at hogwarts, or dancing at a ball with Mr. Darcy, or dare I say it, being a Cullen? (just kidding). I did think the writing was a little dis-jointed at times, but maybe that comes from the translation. I also thought that she was extrememly long-winded. So much of the book seemed rather irrelevant to me. It could have been half the length and been just as good.

I also thought some of her characters reactions...more I really liked the concept of this book. How many times have I dreamed of being a wizard at hogwarts, or dancing at a ball with Mr. Darcy, or dare I say it, being a Cullen? (just kidding). I did think the writing was a little dis-jointed at times, but maybe that comes from the translation. I also thought that she was extrememly long-winded. So much of the book seemed rather irrelevant to me. It could have been half the length and been just as good.

I also thought some of her characters reactions to things were a little unbelievable. Like when Basta finds Pippo and is hauling him around and holding knives to his throat and all the little kid does is cry. Let's talk about tramautic events, and then you hear nothing more about it. It just seemed to me that sometimes she wanted her characters to seem real, with families and loved ones, and then other times they became strictly fictional, reacting to situations like no normal person would react, or like she just forgot about them and wanted to move on with the story. I also though Meggie seemed at lot older than 12. She's definatly more mature than most 12-year-olds I know.
One last note, I thought it funny that she kept saying throughout the whole book how people who read books never think about the authors, or if they do they figure all authors are old and dead.
All in all, a good book. I could definatly relate to their love of books, and when I get older and my kids are gone, I would love to live in a house just like Elinor's, stacked from top to bottom with more books than I could read in a lifetime. I did however think that their reverance for all books was a bit extreme, because what good is a book if you're not going to read it, but just lock it in a glass case. I never really understood the desire to be a "book collector." I'd like to have tons and tons of books, but I don't really mind what condition their in, as long as I can read them :)
I also enjoyed how she put qoutes from other books at the beginning of each of the chapters. Gave me a lot more books to look up and read.(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Apr 24, 2012 Stefan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Inkheart is the best young adult targeted fantasy novel that I have read since the Harry Potter series. Cornelia Funke has crafted a wonderful, if a bit dark, storyline filled with colorful and memorable characters, both hero and villain. I liked the blend of modern day with fantasy in this story and having the magical element of being able to read characters out of their individual stories was brilliant.

The storyline itself moves along nicely as Meggie and her father, Mo, go on an adventure bot...more

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 02, 2009 Weni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kalo kamu bisa memunculkan benda2 atau tokoh2 dari buku yang kamu baca, buku apa yg akan kamu pilih dan apa atau siapa yang akan kamu munculkan?

Mortimer (Mo), ayah Meggie, punya kemampuan ajaib, ia bisa mengeluarkan tokoh2 dari buku yang dibacanya (dibaca dg suara, bukan dlm hati). Kejadiannya sering tanpa sengaja dan awalnya Mo hanya mengeluarkan benda2 mati dari bukunya. Sampai akhirnya 9 thn lalu Mo membacakan Tintenherz untuk sang istri dan tanpa sengaja mengeluarkan Capricorn - sang tokoh j...more Kalo kamu bisa memunculkan benda2 atau tokoh2 dari buku yang kamu baca, buku apa yg akan kamu pilih dan apa atau siapa yang akan kamu munculkan?

Mortimer (Mo), ayah Meggie, punya kemampuan ajaib, ia bisa mengeluarkan tokoh2 dari buku yang dibacanya (dibaca dg suara, bukan dlm hati). Kejadiannya sering tanpa sengaja dan awalnya Mo hanya mengeluarkan benda2 mati dari bukunya. Sampai akhirnya 9 thn lalu Mo membacakan Tintenherz untuk sang istri dan tanpa sengaja mengeluarkan Capricorn - sang tokoh jahat, Basta - tangan kanan Capricorn, serta Staubfinger - si pemain bola api, sementara ibu Meggie masuk ke dalam buku. Sejak itu, Mo tidak mau lagi membacakan buku untuk Meggie, takut anaknya masuk ke dalam buku :D

Petualangan pun dimulai. Capricorn dan anak buahnya terus mengejar Mo dan buku Tintenherz miliknya demi kepentingan jahat. Mo sendiri berusaha menyembunyikan buku itu di rumah Elinor (bibi ibu Meggie) karena ingin mengeluarkan ibu Meggie. Sementara Staubfinger sangat ingin kembali ke dalam buku itu.

Capricorn berhasil menangkap Mo, Meggie dan Elinor, lalu memaksa Mo membaca Pulau Harta Karun dan mengeluarkan harta karunnya. Capricorn sebenarnya punya pembaca lain sbg tawanan selama ini, namanya Darius, tapi Darius blm dpt menyamai Mo sehingga tokoh2 yang keluar dari buku sering tidak sempurna. Stlh mengeluarkan harta karun, Mo dipaksa membaca Kisah 1001 Malam, tapi yang muncul adalah anak muda bernama Farid, sementara salah satu anak buah Capricorn menghilang.

Mo, Meggie, Elinor dan Farid berhasil kabur, berkat bantuan Staubfinger. Buku Tintenherz milik Mo telah dirampas Capricorn dan dibakar. Capricorn memang mencuri dan membakar semua buku Tintenherz yang ada, kecuali satu, agar tidak ada yang bisa mengembalikan dia ke dalam buku. Mo dan Meggie lalu menemui Fenoglio, sang penulis Tintenherz, sedangkan Elinor kembali ke rumah dan mendapati seluruh koleksi bukunya telah diacak2 dan dibakar oleh anak buah Capricorn.

Meggie kembali tertangkap Capricorn, kali ini bersama Fenoglio (yang terkagum2 melihat tokoh2 ciptaannya hidup). Maksudnya sbg umpan agar Mo datang. Tapi ternyata Meggie pun punya kemampuan yang sama. Tanpa sengaja dia mengeluarkan Tinker Bell dari buku Peter Pan. Maka Capricorn pun menyiapkan upacara, dimana Meggie harus membaca Tintenherz dan mengeluarkan anak buah Capricorn yang sangat menakutkan, Sang Bayangan. Sang Bayangan akan bangkit di bawah kaki tuannya dan menunggu tuannya menunjuk mangsa berikutnya. Capricorn menciptakan Sang Bayangan dari abu orang2 yang mati dibakar olehnya.

Bgmn cara Meggie dan Fenoglio mengatasi Sang Bayangan? Bgmn cara Mo dan Farid menyelamatkan Meggie? Dan bgmn nasib ibu Meggie? Baca sendiri bukunya :D

Buku tentang buku. Kisahnya berpusat pada sebuah buku (Tintenherz), tokoh2nya adalah makhluk2 yang keluar dari buku dan para pencinta buku (Mo adalah 'Dokter Buku', Meggie pergi kemana2 selalu membawa kotak berisi buku, Ibu Meggie selalu membaca buku, Elinor adalah kolektor buku).

Buku fantasi yang sangat menarik (menurut saya). Saya pasti akan membeli buku lanjutan Trilogi Inkworld ini dan menonton filmnya (ngomong2 dah maen blm sih filmnya?). Tokoh menarik dalam cerita ini adalah Elinor. Judes, pemarah. Rumahnya digambarkan penuh dg buku. Perpustakaannya luar biasa. Buku adalah anak2nya. Bayangkan perasaannya ketika koleksinya dibakar oleh Capricorn hehe.
Ada percakapan menarik antara Meggie dan Elinor, di rumah Elinor:
"Kenapa seluruh rumah dibiarkan begini gelap?" tanya Meggie.
"Karena aku lebih suka memakai uangku untuk membeli buku daripada membayar biaya listrik yang berlebihan !" jawab Elinor sambil mendelik.

Jadi... buku apa yang akan kamu baca dan siapa yang akan kamu munculkan? hehe(less)

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Feb 08, 2008 Maia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People against the world domination of FedEx

Shelves: fantasy

Okay, I'm at hundred pages, and I'm like: someone just kill that loser Capricorn, and then FedEx the rest of the gang home! PLEASE! I'll pay Preferred!
It goes like this: go here, go there, go back here, go back there, return to here, and so on...
Also, this story was kind of scary, which doesn't rate high in my book (pun intended).
The idea was excellent, but poorly executed.

19 likes · like · see review

Jul 06, 2008 Richard rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A young adult novel, published in Germany and translated to English. River Kikkert recommended this book. A man discovers he has the ability to make people become real when he reads about them aloud from a book. Some villains from another time are brought into this world and they cause great problems .Takes place in modern day Italy in the country side. All the characters are described and given personalities in the book. It would be along the lines of the Lord of the Rings series in terms of te...more A young adult novel, published in Germany and translated to English. River Kikkert recommended this book. A man discovers he has the ability to make people become real when he reads about them aloud from a book. Some villains from another time are brought into this world and they cause great problems .Takes place in modern day Italy in the country side. All the characters are described and given personalities in the book. It would be along the lines of the Lord of the Rings series in terms of tenseness and conflict with villains. A 12 year old girl is one of the lead characters. Very complex story, not a cutsie children’s book; best read by a late teenager. Lots of tense times I “read” the book on audio cassette, unabridged, read by Lynn Redgrave. She does an excellent job in the reading, bringing life to the characters. I would recommend the book and the audio cassettes because of the author’s and Redgrave’s ability to transport me to the scene of action. At one tense moment I actually thought I was watching a movie of the action rather than listening to someone read to me out of a book. The writing and reading were so vivid I finally realize that it was words that were creating the movie in my mind. That is the sign of good author and good reading.

Following are some quotes from the book; taken out of context they seem to be gentle encouragements to read but they were actually at some very tense moments of the book: Again, this is a very tense book.

And one night, when she couldn’t get to sleep, she sat down at the desk in front of her window and began to write while the fairies played in Eleanor’s garden and the trolls rustled in the bushes. For Meggie had a plan. She wanted to learn to make up stories like Finolio. She wanted to learn to fish for words so that she could read aloud to her mother without worrying about who might come out of the stories and look at her with homesick eyes. So Meggie decided words would be her trade. And where better could she learn that trade than in a house full of magical creatures, where fairies built their nests in the garden, and books were put on the shelves by night. As Mo had said, writing stories is a kind of magic, too.
Cornelia Funke from Inkheart

Is there anything in the world better than words on a page. Magic signs. The voices of the dead. Building blocks to make wonderful worlds better than this one. Comforters, companions in loneliness. Keepers of secrets. Speakers of the truth. All those glorious words. Taste every word, . . . savor it on your tongue. Do you taste the colors? Do you taste the wind in the night? The fear and the joy and the love. Taste them and everything will come to life.
Cornelia Funke Extracted and slightly paraphrased from Inkheart

Meggie stroked its binding as she always did before she opened a book. She had seen Mo doing the same. Every since she could remember she had known that movement, the way he would pick up a book, stroke the binding, almost tenderly, then open it as if he were opening a box full to the brim with precious things. Cornelia Funke from Inkheart

(less)

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Aug 20, 2008 Kirsty (Blatant Biblioholic) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

Oof... it took me 12 days to finish this book. Not like me at all.

I liked the storyline. I love the fact that it is a book about books, and that is what initially made me want to read it. I read the blurb on the book and it sounded like a really fun read.

I was wrong.

The book was VERY long-winded. Whilst the plotline was good, and the characters were nicely built, the actual story dragged on most of the time. The best part of the book is the last few chapters, by which point I didn't care - I jus...more

28 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Sunil rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

I was first recommended Inkheart when I fell in love with Princess Tutu. Thus, I knew the book had some metafictional aspects, but I wasn't quite sure what they were.

Which put me in a good position at the beginning, as it reminded me of The Golden Compass in the way that a young girl witnesses a strange event and immediately begins to investigate what is going on. What is going on is slowly revealed over the course of several chapters, but the general premise of the book is not a huge shock (th...more I was first recommended Inkheart when I fell in love with Princess Tutu. Thus, I knew the book had some metafictional aspects, but I wasn't quite sure what they were.

Which put me in a good position at the beginning, as it reminded me of The Golden Compass in the way that a young girl witnesses a strange event and immediately begins to investigate what is going on. What is going on is slowly revealed over the course of several chapters, but the general premise of the book is not a huge shock (those come later). Meggie discovers that characters from a book called, of course, Inkheart have been brought into the real world. These characters have fantastical names like Capricorn, Dustfinger, and Basta, but they are human, a fact I had trouble remembering because their names are Capricorn, Dustfinger, and Basta, for fuck's sake. Capricorn is described as the evilest evil that ever eviled, so that's how you know he's the villain. Can Meggie, her father, Mo, and her bibliophilic aunt, Elinor, defeat him?

I hesitate to say any more about the plot because this is a book that surprised me at every corner. I rarely had any idea where the story was going, and when I thought I knew, I was usually wrong. I loved the characters, especially Meggie, who asks all the questions I want the answers to, Elinor, who finds her inner badass on a journey away from her precious books, and Dustfinger, who is torn between two loyalties. And a hat-tip to Basta, who is a more complicated villain than the evilest evil that ever eviled.

There is much to love about Inkheart, beginning with the conceit that characters can be read out of books. What does that mean for them and their stories? How would they react to the real world? Is this a power you would want to have? What if you wanted to hang out with Harry Potter but instead you got Voldemort? Inkheart is a story about stories and storytelling, the power and magic of words, the love of books. It has an almost absurd reverence for books and stories at times.

Lynn Redgrave makes an excellent reader, but I did find myself distracted throughout the narrative, which I cannot hold completely against the book itself. It is a bit oddly paced, and the story can feel choppy at times when it jumps between characters. And even though I didn't really know what to expect, I had some expectations that were unfulfilled, but it's not the book's fault that it didn't tell the story I thought it was going to tell.

Besides, there are still two more books to go, and I have no bloody idea what to expect from them.(less)

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Jan 20, 2008 Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Die zugrundeliegende Idee ist toll, leider macht Cornelia Funke dann eigentlich zuwenig daraus. Das Buch liest sich zwar angenehm (gut, es ist ein Kinder- / Jugendbuch, aber trotzdem keinesfall anspruchslos geschrieben), aber von Zeit zu Zeit scheint die Geschichte anzuhalten und die Autorin muss sie dann relativ bemüht wieder in Fahrt bringen.

Trotzdem ein durchaus schönes, empfehlenswertes Buch, wenn man Sinn für intelligente Fantasy hat.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2009 bookczuk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bookcrossing, books-about-books

My reading soul was battered and bruised, and a friend offered this book to me to help soothe the hurt. A lovely fantasy tale, with just enough villains and heroic folks to keep it balanced. You root for a happy ending and keep reading. Each chapter starts with a quote from a beloved children's classic, so you get to visit old friends on the journey through the story.

A few passages helped assure me how much the author really does love books and all they represent. Meggie, tired and distressed at...more

14 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2009 Ayu Palar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Dini Yulianti

Recommended to Ayu by: Tyas Palar

Shelves: children-books

Tentu saja saya mencintai buku, kalau tidak buat apa saya ikut Goodreads? Tapi mempunyai kekuatan seperti Mo, ayah Meggie? Tunggu dulu, kayaknya saya akan berpikir ratusan kali untuk mempunyai kekuatan Lidah Ajaib. Sepertinya menyenangkan ya kalau ketika membaca sebuah buku tokoh-tokoh di dalamnya bisa keluar dan muncul secara fisik di hadapan kita. Kalau yang keluar tokoh yang baik seperti Harry Potter, ya tidak masalah. Tapi kalau yang keluar tokoh antagonis? Oops, di situlah konflik Inkheart...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 24, 2011 Anne Toronto1 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fan

(Rerated to 5* after consideration. One of those books that stick in your brain until you relent to the sequel). The rain drummed; my brain thrummed. I couldn't sleep. I began to read about Meggie, similarly afflicted. Warning: Scary. Very.
"Inkheart" is a tale with fairies, trolls, magic, vicious men who torture. Read aloud by Mo, villains and a victim appear in place of his wife and cats. Years later, evil Capricorn's gang kidnaps Meg, now 12, to blackmail the magician they call Silvertongue,...more (Rerated to 5* after consideration. One of those books that stick in your brain until you relent to the sequel). The rain drummed; my brain thrummed. I couldn't sleep. I began to read about Meggie, similarly afflicted. Warning: Scary. Very.
"Inkheart" is a tale with fairies, trolls, magic, vicious men who torture. Read aloud by Mo, villains and a victim appear in place of his wife and cats. Years later, evil Capricorn's gang kidnaps Meg, now 12, to blackmail the magician they call Silvertongue, for his power. The solution was obvious, but ends incomplete. Smells like sequels, yes ... Inkspell, Inkdeath. I don't know enough German to read the original by Cornelia Funke, so I am unsure of translation problems to English. Lavatory and only a few hours drive to abandoned villages in Italy transport us colonials to the magic world called Britain.
Late, on p427/524 is a possible moral theme, from great-aunt Elinor:
"She had been right. The world was a terrible place, cruel, pitiless, dark as a bad dream. Not a good place to live in. Only in books could you find pity, comfort, happiness - and love. Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn't ask anything in return; they never went away, never, not even when you treated them badly. Love, truth, beauty, wisdom, and consolation against death. Who had said that? ... Words are immortal"
(Anatole Broyard said that in his dislike of "Lending Books" from editor Rabinowitz's collection "A Passion for Books").
Trailers for the '08 movie look smashing, entrancing. Helen Mirren makes Elinor slim, elegant, worldly, not fat, dowdy, reclusive. Can she still steal her precious books? Her 'pebbly' eyes glint like sapphires.
[Spoiler:
Is the moral not to read or write scary books? The grandpa author is banished to his creation, left trapped in the book. The mother remains mute. Elinor's secluded estate is a retreat for dozens of magical creatures who stray out. The literally cut-throat henchman is still here with others.
Daring young thief Farid from Aladdin is more a role model than Meg. She acts like a rebellious antagonistic toddler who rudely endangers others. She suspects Dustfinger, yet naively follows him. Adult parent who keeps secrets and endangers others is normal to me, but not an angry child who selfishly stops everyone's flight for safety to await answers. She mouths off beyond my standard of stalwart to stupid stubborn. She is the fourth generation (at least) to hide in books. How can she suddenly perform publicly, especially pressured by threat of violence? In the '08 movie trailer music video "I cont (sic) keep hiding ... gonna be stronger" she looks 15-17; sudden maturation plausible.]
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Apr 09, 2008 Xeyra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2006, fantasy, young-adult

I first heard about this book during a book swap game. Someone offered it on the game and since I didn't end up with it, it went on my wishlist. It seemed an interesting book and people recommended it, so when this bookring was proposed, I didn't hesitate, despite the mile-long list of bookrings I was already in. I didn't really know much about this book aside from its premise -- never heard of the author before. Well, after reading Inkheart, I'll certainly be adding some more of her titles to m...more I first heard about this book during a book swap game. Someone offered it on the game and since I didn't end up with it, it went on my wishlist. It seemed an interesting book and people recommended it, so when this bookring was proposed, I didn't hesitate, despite the mile-long list of bookrings I was already in. I didn't really know much about this book aside from its premise -- never heard of the author before. Well, after reading Inkheart, I'll certainly be adding some more of her titles to my wishlist, including its sequel.

I really, really liked this book. The characters were refreshing and you couldn't help but like them (well, those you were supposed to like, that is -- the villains you hated, of course). It does follow a very interesting premise, which mixes reality and make-believe, and even brings in characters from much beloved stories. It's a magical tale that grips you and enchants you as you read it. But it also scares you and keeps you on the edge wanting to discover what's going to happen next, because you really don't want anything bad to happen to these characters, even though bad things do happen with frighteningly frequency.

For a children's book, it's dark. The villains are bad and enjoy inflicting pain, and even if they are not entirely too smart in some cases, they still scare you. In fact, the heroes seem to be in constant danger, which adds to the whole "keeping the reader on the edge" thing: you hardly get any time to breathe in and relax before bad things happen. The characters' fear is portrayed very well, as is their courage when it's necessary, faltering as it may be.

As you can see by my review, I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was not disappointed with it at all, and I had somewhat high expectations towards it after hearing people gush over it.

Of course, not all books are perfect and I didn't quite believe when Meggie recognised a certain someone when they could not even see their face, just because of the color of their hair and the fact that they came from Inkheart. Afterwards, it was more plausible, but at the moment Meggie first saw the woman, I don't think she had enough clues to point her in that direction, but she seemed to have immediately thought of that possibility, which we, the readers, were already aware of by that time.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 17, 2007 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hoo boy did I love this novel. Firstly, it's a book about books and the people who love them. You really can't go wrong starting from there.

For a young adult novel, it has several interesting quirks. Maybe it's because I'm used to reading about American and British heroes and heroines in my YA novels, and this book is translated from the German, but it was a nice change to have a different setting ... from what I could tell, this book takes place mostly in Italy.

And it avoids many of the conven...more

8 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2013 Ðɑηηɑ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Young bookworms

Shelves: fantasy, children, 2011, female-author, pub-2000s, 1st-of-series, female-protagonist, award-winning, my-name-is-maggie, 3-stars, german-author

Inkheart is a nice book, I think young dizzy girls would love it, and bookworms who enjoyed Disney 19000s, fairytales and classical children's books like Treasure Island and have great deal of imagination in them, in other words I mean young me's ^-^. I did like it, so far.
I feel like this amazing story was written espically for me, would also love to recommend it to every imaginative human who think childhood is great. Get to know Maggie!
The historical moment when fairytales rise alive...

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 14, 2008 Ankita *************************************** rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was the best book ever! It reminds me of when I thought I could go into a book by jumping into it (I got that idea from Blues Clues, hey, you can't blame me for being immature!)I literally jumped into one of those encyclopedias (I was looking at the pictures)and ended up getting my mom really mad at me...
Inkheart, however, casts an enchantment upon you that really does pull you into the book to follow Meggie and her friends on a quest to attempt to defeat Capricorn.
Though Inkheart tak...more

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Nov 12, 2008 Claudia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: well read fantasy fans

Recommended to Claudia by: Bri, Kirsten, Alex, Katie...

Shelves: ya-books

What an interesting idea: a book about books, and characters coming to life in the 'real' world. People 'reading' characters into and out of books. What fun to meet Tinkerbell and the Steadfast Tin Soldier. Every character is deeply involved with books in some way. The climactic scene was as full of suspense as any I've read. I think my favorite parts of the book were the exerpts from OTHER books at the beginning of each chapter...Princess Bride, Wind in the Willows, Once and Future King, LOTR....more

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Apr 11, 2009 Helna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel, thriller

Judul Buku : Tintenherz: Inkheart
Penulis : Cornelia Funke
Alih Bahasa : Dinyah Latuconsina
Tebal : 535 hal.
Tahun Terbit : Januari 2009
Penerbit : Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Harga : Rp. 58.000,-

Inkheart adalah buku pertama dari Trilogi Inkworld buah karya penulis asal Jerman, Cornelia Funke. Sebelumnya Funke telah menulis Herr Der Diebe (Pangeran Pencuri).

Sembilan tahun yang lalu, saat Mo membaca Tintenherz. Tanpa sengaja ia memunculkan berbagai macam tokoh jahat dalam buku itu (Capricorn, Basta dan Stau...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Limau Nipis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Limau Nipis by: Ummu Auni

Shelves: e-books-save-trees, 2012-reads, on-nook, children

Wow, sometimes you just wish this kind of books comes along all the time. It has magic, bravery, the worst kind of enemies, adventure, heart stopping cliffhangers (which happens in every chapter, arghhhh - I think I had a heart attack!). To sum it all up, this book is unputdownable, with me having the worst headache yesterday, but I could not put down the book. I could not, I could not!

With Brendan Fraser as Mo and Eliza Bennett as Meggie.. I haven't watch the film yet

This book evoke all kind of...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Ummu Auni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012, e-book, young-adult, adventure

If I haven't watched the film, I may not be tempted to read it. The movie captivated me, who would ever non be tempted by fairy tales consisting of villains, fairies set on medieval times. The story more so.

Meggie & Mo is a close-bonded family. Both of them had passion for books, Mo treated books carefully, delicately, bringing 'life' to the books, with new surfaces, new binding, new breaths. Meggie, his daughter, was brought up in an environment where books are valued more than anything. T...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Mahima rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english-book-reviews

Ink heart- Cornelia Funke

1)I decided to read this book because I love fantasy books! I read the summary and was excited really excited to read this book. Lots of people had recommended this book saying it was amazing. I personally really enjoyed reading this book the detailed descriptions, unexpected twists and fast pace all this made me feel as if I was there, in the book, like an invisible character.

2)This book completes “fantasy book’. I like reading fantasy books because they are relaxing a...more Ink heart- Cornelia Funke

1)I decided to read this book because I love fantasy books! I read the summary and was excited really excited to read this book. Lots of people had recommended this book saying it was amazing. I personally really enjoyed reading this book the detailed descriptions, unexpected twists and fast pace all this made me feel as if I was there, in the book, like an invisible character.

2)This book completes “fantasy book’. I like reading fantasy books because they are relaxing and create another world for the reader, especially ink heart. Ink heart was made up of unimaginable characters with supernatural powers, nail biting twists, and unpredictable choices. All of this made the book so hard to put down, I was always wanting to read
more.

3)My favourite quote in this book was “Books have to be heavy,because the whole world's inside them". I like this quote because i thinks its so simple but effective, it makes you think of the importance and of book. I personally only like reading out of books and not e-reader,because it makes you feel more connected and involved in the book.

4)Something I learnt from this book is that with persistence and motivation you can achieve anything. In search to find and bring back Rese, Mo’s wife and Meggie’s mother, Mo and Meggie had to face so many obstacles in which they could have choose to easily give up, but they stayed strong, determined and motivated each other to find Resa. There were times in the book were the two of them were hope less and the best/safest option was to give, but with the motivation from friends and the strong love towards Resa was worth way more than giving up. At the end of the book Mo’s and Meggie’s effort pays off and the finally find Resa, grateful not to have given up.

5)A character from this book I found very interesting was Dustfinger (friend of Mo’s), because I believe he was a man with a lot of baggage and his actions, both good and bad made me feel more inquisitive about the type of person he was. By a lot of ‘baggage’ I mean he had lots of feeling of insecurity, he didn’t know who to trust which reinforced the idea of him being a very selfish character and went along with anything no matter if it was good or bad, to satisfy his wants. A moment in the book were he becomes very selfish is when he knows where Mo’s wife is but doesn’t tell them until he get what he wants despite the fact that Mo and Meggie were in so much grief. I personally think that Dustfinger is a nice, sensitive and loving character especially when he tries to help Mo get his wife. I think because Dustfinger is quiet a shy character, this kind of leads to his selfishness but the circumstances that were prevalent in the book, makes him put himself in others shoes and realise he isn’t the only one in grief, making him more confident in sharing his feelings.
(less)

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Jul 07, 2009 miaaa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to miaaa by: Roos

Shelves: ophelia-s-library, fairy-haven

I've always imagined what it would be like if the characters from the books I've read, especially those who I like so much, are really alive, flesh and blood and I can enter their world. Like Alice in the Wonderland. Or Harry Potter, oh I'd do anything to enter Hogwarts. I was destined to be a Ravenclaw student!

But Funke offers more than that, what if there's very special people who able to call out characters from books. Who can bring them across the unknown border to our world. If you expecte...more I've always imagined what it would be like if the characters from the books I've read, especially those who I like so much, are really alive, flesh and blood and I can enter their world. Like Alice in the Wonderland. Or Harry Potter, oh I'd do anything to enter Hogwarts. I was destined to be a Ravenclaw student!

But Funke offers more than that, what if there's very special people who able to call out characters from books. Who can bring them across the unknown border to our world. If you expected something great well you have it. Imagine you can hold Tinker Bell, talk to Farid or to the Thin Man! But you should aware that bad characters also included, think of what would you do when he's-the-one-who-should-not-be-named suddenly appear before your eyes and do the unforgiven charm. Think about the nightmares we all will have.

I prefer to have those characters, no matter how amazing they are, stay in their world. I don't want to see another Staubfinger taken to this world of ours. Feeling so sad and lonely all the time because he can't go back to his world. However, we need more amazing authors who are able to narrate us great stories and introduce us to another great characters. Someone like Funke.

***

Keren sekali kalau karakter-karakter favorit kita benar-benar hidup. Katakanlah dunia magis Harry Potter itu nyata, wah senangnya kalau bisa masuk Hogwarts. Kita juga bisa memegang Tinker Bell atau berbicara pada si Manusia Timah. Sayangnya jika kita bisa memanggil karakter-karakter itu keluar dari buku, pasti kita juga entah sengaja atau tidak memanggil karakter-karakter jahat. Bayangkan jika dia-yang-tak-boleh-disebut-namanya, atau orang seperti Basta yang membakar habis buku-buku koleksi tante Elinor muncul di hadapan kita. Itu namanya mimpi buruk yang sepertinya tidak akan pernah berakhir!

Bagiku lebih asyik jika semua karakter itu tetap di dunianya masing-masing. Dunia kita sudah dan sedang mengalami terlalu banyak masalah seperti pilpres, banjir, anak jalanan, koridor transjakarta yang gak berfungsi juga padahal halte sudah jadi dan sekarang menjadi sasaran vandalisme, dan macem-macem masalah lain. Tidak perlu ditambahi lagi kan?(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 07, 2008 Queezle rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have no idea why people like this book. Where is the character developement, the intrigue, the plot? It's like a lump. After I read it, I thought back and couldn't even remember the storyline - it was too jumpy and mumbled. Not a good work of fiction.

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2009 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have little doubt that Inkheart is a magical read for children. As for myself, I wasn't particularly enchanted and can most simply describe my reaction to this book with a shrug of the shoulders and an indifferent "Ho-hum."

The writing style seemed rather stilted; I got to feel like I was reading the same paragraph over and over, but with different words. This, admittedly, is most likely the fault of the translator, but until I learn to read German, there is not much I can do as far as enjoyin...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2009 Camille rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know, I saw the movie trailer for this book and was intrigued so I went to the library and picked it up. It was interesting. I liked the idea for the story, but the writing style just was..... tedious. I had a hard time working my way through it. At the beginning of every chapter is a quote from another, more famous, literary work. This detracted from the flow of the story for me. I got pulled out of the story at every quote. I felt like a lot of the plot was left unexplored and under-descri...more

1 like · like · see review

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topics	posts	views	last activity
This epic book called Inkheart!!!!!!!☺	15	40	May 20, 2013 11:30am
If You Could Switch lives With A Book Character - Witch Would It Be	18	68	May 19, 2013 05:56pm
do you guys like the movie?	19	72	May 16, 2013 03:13pm
the movie	33	118	Apr 30, 2013 05:53am
Meggie and Farid	4	30	Apr 04, 2013 03:24pm

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About Cornelia Funke

Cornelia Caroline Funke is a multiple award-winning German author of children's and YA fiction. She is best known for her Inkheart trilogy. The Inkheart books have gained a variety of attention, and critics have praised Funke as the "German J. K. Rowling". Her books are very popular in her native country, and many have now been translated into English. Her work fits mainly into the fantasy and adv...more

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Books by Cornelia Funke

The Inkheart Trilogy: Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath (Inkworld, #1-3)

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Quotes from Inkheart

“Books have to be heavy because the whole world's inside them.” — 1,733 people liked it

“If you take a book with you on a journey," Mo had said when he put the first one in her box, "an odd thing happens: The book begins collecting your memories. And forever after you have only to open that book to be back where you first read it. It will all come into your mind with the very first words: the sights you saw in that place, what it smelled like, the ice cream you ate while you were reading it... yes, books are like flypaper—memories cling to the printed page better than anything else.” — 1,519 people liked it

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Inkheart (Inkworld #1)

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