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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
A cute, fun story, that reminds us of the value of giving each other our time.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
timeless classic - very recommendable read if you feel stuck in a world where everyone seems to be controlled by money and its connection to our precious time
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting allegory about the tension between being efficient and being in the moment. The story features a (presumably) orphan girl named Momo who is very good at just Being. Soon she has a cluster of friends who appreciate her for being very grounded and for being a good listener. However, this happiness is demolished when the Gray Men show up in town and entice people to be more efficient.
This is the sort of book I would have enjoyed more sometime between ages 15 and 25 when I was more interested in books that presented concepts and ideals--where characters represented a principle made flesh (such as dystopias). Now I like books where characters are conflicted and a lot more gray than black or white. Also, at times I felt as though Ende overexplained his allegory.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this as a critique of modernity and a critique of ambition / utilitarianism.
This is the sort of book I would have enjoyed more sometime between ages 15 and 25 when I was more interested in books that presented concepts and ideals--where characters represented a principle made flesh (such as dystopias). Now I like books where characters are conflicted and a lot more gray than black or white. Also, at times I felt as though Ende overexplained his allegory.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this as a critique of modernity and a critique of ambition / utilitarianism.
Almost feels like a dystopian novel..
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ende's books have a dreamlike quality that is probably the main part of his appeal but it isn't really my kind of thing. Momo is more fairy tale and less character-based than The Never-Ending Story. The title character is a flawless good child whose ability that makes her beloved is 'listening' so she is a passive character with no particular personality. We meet her friends but since they do nothing and are just victims to be saved, they don't add a lot to the story. Really felt like there was set up here that was never paid off. I am creeped out that an adult male suggested one day he would marry Momo, a child. I liked the tortoise. Felt very true to what tortoises are like. Meanwhile, though the moralising is making a fair, anti-capitalist point, it is so heavy handed that the story mostly read like being shouted at from a soap box.
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
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