Michael Ende ​

Michael Andreas Helmuth Ende was a German writer of fantasy and children's fiction. He is best known for his epic fantasy The Neverending Story, Momo, and other fairy tales. His works have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide, making him one of Germany's most popular and best-known authors.

Quick Facts ​

• Most famous work is "The Neverending Story", which has been translated into more than 40 languages.
• Received the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1981 for his novel "Momo".
• Dissatisfied with the film adaptation of his novel "The Neverending Story", resulting in him subsequently requesting his name be removed from the credits in future releases.
• His works have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold over 20 million copies.

Background ​

Ende was born in 1929, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany to a surrealist painter Edgar Ende. He attended Waldorf school in Munich from 1940 to 1945. After the World War II, he continued his education at an acting school in Munich But his career as an actor was short and he started reviewing children's books for a magazine. He began writing his own stories and children's books. His first success as a writer came in 1960 with the publication of his first novel, Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver. He gained international fame with the publication of The Neverending Story in 1979, which was later turned into a hit movie. He went on to write many other successful books before his death in 1995.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Ende's writing style is imaginative and often philosophical, with complex narratives spiraling around themes of self-discovery and the power of dreams. His work, particularly his children's literature, is characterized by surreal magical realism, rich imagery, and the struggle between good and evil. Ende‘s books are considered modern classics and have helped shape and popularize fantasy literature worldwide.

Notable Works ​

• Momo (1973)
• The Neverending Story (1979)
• The Night of Wishes or The Satanarchaeolidealcohellish Notion Potion (1989)