I've discovered a new favorite this month! His name is Michael Ende, a German children's author with many books available here in the United States as well. He wrote the original version of "Neverending Story," which was more or less "bastardized" in the movie adaptation. He's a lot like C.S. Lewis in that he writes for children but manages to import a lot of deep thoughts and philosophy into the story; his books are fun no matter what age group you're in. Unlike Lewis, however, Ende is much more subtle with his message and really makes you "dig" for the juicy message in each book. He doesn't explain every image he uses and allows the imagination freedom to roam and interpret according to personal experience. Aside from "Neverending Story," he also wrote a really good book called "Momo," which I just finished. It's about a mysterious little girl whose only ability is listening to others. It's a simple story with some silly fantasy-type elements, but there are some thought-provoking moments as well. It deals with time - how we waste it in trying to save it - and the importance of the moment. There is one part is particularly interesting: Momo follows a tortoise that has the ability to see thirty minutes into the future. The tortoise guides Momo on a perilous journey and helps her evade her enemies. Later, however, Momo learns that the tortoise, in its foresight, knew that Momo would *choose* a route that would keep her out of trouble and that was why she (the tortoise) chose to go along with Momo. It begs the question - was the tortoise guiding Momo or was Momo guiding the tortoise? Something for us Calvinists to chew on, I guess  

it's cool when a children's author can write books that also intrigue adults ... shows real talent i think. (Meela is into Harry Potter -- her and her very erudite and highly educated English lawyer girlfriend read all the books and always go to the movies together like a ritual -- me, not so much, haven't read any of it.)

Enjoyed the neverending story flick years ago, so maybe i read the book sometime ..... by Ende huh?

... magic and Calvinism? together in one paragraph? .... how do they fit? ... is Calvinism an attmept to elucidate something like "the nature of causes" that we can't really understand? ... fish, oceans, all that?  

--Last edited by dmg on 2007-02-09 10:37:51 --