I recently finished reading the Ink Trilogy by Cornelia Funke, and over all, enjoyed it quite a bit! (although, I wouldn't suggest it for anyone younger than twelve.)

The setting switches between our world, and a different one inside the pages of a book, called Inkworld. In this book, certain people called Silvertongues, have the ability to read things right out of books! Or...themselves right into it.

Meggie is the daughter of such a man, who accidentally read her mother into a book nine years earlier and has been trying desperately to get her back ever since. Thus opens the first book.

It doesn't stop there of course, but I can hardly say more without spoiling quite a few secrets, that you DON'T want spoiled.

The story was intriguing, and the writing style made me want to keep reading more! Her swordfights, and battles were exciting, but not greusome; her characters were really believable, and weren't so perfect that you couldn't sympathize with them. And, by the end of the series, I was actually sorry that I had finished because I couldn't keep reading the story!

A great theme in this book is selflessness, and sacrificing your wellbeing for others. Meggie's father, Mo, over and over again, puts himself in danger to protect her and others. And Meggie also displays great bravery and courage when everything seems lost.

I also liked how clearly defined good and evil was in this book. With the exception of one character (who finally sacrifices a lot for the side that he has always wanted to win) there are no moral compromises by the 'good guys', and the bad guys, although in some cases slightly sympathetic, are NEVER portrayed as desirable role models.

That said, there are a few problems with this book as well.

Firstly, I believe that Mrs. Funke went a little farther than she might have needed to in describing the vices of certain men in the book. While she does not go into sordid detail with some of the things that happen, (and really are fairly vital to the story line) she most definitely implies very strongly, and spells a lot more out than should have been necessary.

Secondly, given the circumstances in some parts of the book, it is easy to see why Meggie would be disrespectful to her parents; however, just because it is natural, does not mean that it was the right thing to do, and she never really apologizes for the way she has disrespected their authority.

And lastly, there is a little bit of very bad language in the book, however as far as I can remember none of the main characters use it. (mostly by the bad guys, or a crotchety old lady)

I would probably recommend this book for someone in their early teens, on up.

I'm ashamed to admit that I started Inkheart, but didn't care for the style, so I didn't get past the 30 page mark.

The only reason I got past that was because I had promised a friend I'd finished it. You have to get past maybe seven chapters before it becomes interesting.

I have only read the first two books and I must say some of the scenes just dragged on and on and on. But the movie was good, so if you don't want to read through the book just watch the movie.
Ana

LOL! Actually, if you're going to read the book DON'T watch the movie. I saw it, and it was pathetic in my opinion. It was just...sad! And it moved too quickly and the characters were shallow.

Really?
I loved the movie. But maybe it's just because I saw it before I read the book.
Ana

I need to read these books sometime...

Yes, you do.

I'm actually re-reading the series. Previously, I had only read Inkheart and Inkspell because Inkdeath hadn't been published yet. Years later (not many) I picked them up from the library, including the book Inkdeath.

I agree that some parts of the book carry on, but overall it's pretty good. Inkheart anyways... =)

I read the first few chapters, it seemed kind of... boring? I saw the movie, and I thought it was good I have to say, Rafi Gavron was a great actor

What I just learned opening Inkspell today, was that Cornelia Funke actually dedicated it to Brendan Fraser (who plays Mo in the movie) saying how his voice was an inspiration for the Mo in the book. How interesting!

Personally, I didn't think Brendan Fraser was a good pick for Mo in the movie (since I assciate hime with George of the Jungle and The Mummy), but hey, I bet it made Cornelia happy. XD

This was the first fantasy I ever read. It's very special to me, because I'm an extreme book lover, and I was thoroughly intrigued by "Inkheart" firstly. I hesitated to read "Inkspell" because of the 'spell' reference in the title, but I eventually read it and was also captivated by it. I cried in some parts of Inkdeath, but on the whole, it was a very good read. They are 3 of nearly the only 21st century secular reading on my shelf!

Having said that, I can see it has flaws. The language was not necessary; it could have easily been omitted. It did drag slightly in some parts.

I do agree with how you never had to guess who was a baddy or good guy (after the first book). But I did enjoy how she kept us guessing with one particular character (of whom I a big fan ) And I'm also thankful that magic didn't really play a part in the whole trilogy, that all the imaginative events were actual reality.

As for the movie, although the book is a lot better, I thought they captured the meaning really well. I loved it. All the cast were perfect for me, except for Capricorn and Basta, even though Andy Serkis did a commendable job. Actually, Cornelia Funke had Brendan Fraser in mind for Mo Folchart from the very beginning; before she even started writing. She said that she copied his looks, his mannerisms, and Mo's voice was Brendan's. She sent a copy of Inkheart to him when she finished it, and he read it, wanted to meet her and met her and her family. I think he was definitely Mo; I imagined him just like that, same for Dustfinger.

Anyway, you can tell I could rant about this series all day, so I'd best leave it there! I enjoyed both the book and the movie equally.

Oh I loved Andy Serkis! I love his voice! All forms of it too My favorite line was the duct tape line.

Oh yes! I loved that line too! No doubt about it, he did a great job, and I liked him as Capricorn, but the Capricorn of the book I imagined to be very pale, with red lips and white hair that gave me chills to read about, so he didn't fit my idea of him.

I was just reading a review for this movie and wondering if it was worthwhile. I should put in the effort and read the book first, though, I guess!

A lot of people didn't like it, but I enjoyed both the book AND the movie. Although reading the book first makes the movie easier to watch.

These are the only modern fantasy books that I have ever liked, besides the Inheritance cycle.

(And dare I say it: the only ones that are written by a woman that I like...you'd think girls would write more fantasy.)

I am not saying girls are bad writers or anything stupid like that. I was more lamenting that there are so few; I think women should write more fantasy because usually in my experience, women have better imaginations than men.

Because of the predictability of certain members I would like to ask that any comments made on this subject be discussed through PM, and not in this thread.

Thank you.

I certainly hope I am not being referenced!

Predictable, aren't we?

A question: there aren't any dramatic resurrections in these books, are there?

My reference is in respect to this line, Neil.



You know if you fall into this predictable category

I thought you were referring to my habit of debating. Because that's a very debatable statement.

*chuckles* Well, I did know that about you, but that wasn't my reference, have no fear

THAT is cool. I want to do that someday. I actually know of an actress who is totally perfect for my heroine Ruby Foxe...

I liked the books a lot. And I had no problem with the length. Hey, guy who will read LOTR in two days here! I give them five stars, even with the language and other content. Because...well, it wasn't even as bad as my novel Snapshots (which deals with sex trafficking.)

I'm glad Brendan Fraser agreed to playing the part in the movie. Wouldn't it be awesome if we wrote a book based entirely on the actresses/actors we liked and it was made into a movie and they all played the part? That would be awesome!

Is anyone else a Dustfinger fan?

I loved Dustfinger, in the book and the movie. Paul Bettany is one of my favorite actors. If he hadn't played Dustfinger I probably wouldn't like the movie.

Paul Bettany is a great actor, one of my favs too. Have you seen him in Firewall? He's a baddy.

Dustfinger is one of the best characters in the books. I also like Fenoglio, because (at least in the first book) he makes me think of myself in some forty years.

I loved the mystery Cornelia Funke wrote around Dustfinger. The whole first book, you were never quite sure if he was the good guy or the bad guy.

I have never read the books, but I watched Inkheart last night. I loved it, it was so funny and brilliant. I was in the mood for a fantasy, so I went to Blockbusters and searched, saw Inkheart and remembered that people on here has spoken of it. I loved Helen Mirren, she was so funny; Andy Serkis is always good and Paul Bettany was brilliant! I loved the film, and am going to watch it again with my sister this afternoon, since we have the house to ourselves.

I have read Inkheart and Inkspell. I devoured both books in three days. I haven't yet read Inkdeath. I think the movie might be interesting, so I'll keep that in mind.

I haven't read the books; is the movie the three books in one, or just the first book? I should get the others if not!

The movie is just the first book.

I liked the movie but it didn't follow the book all that well. The books are a lot better.

I should read the books then!

Yes you should. Waaaay better than the movie. Well, in some ways. The first book drags a little, so my brothers didn't get through it. The second and third, even though they're both well over 600 pages...more than a hundred more than book one...are paced better.

I didn't know we had a Inkheart thread on here...

I love the Inkheart trilogy. I saw the movie before the book, so my mental pictures of the characters were shaped entirely by the movie, but I don't mind. I prefer the movie of Inkheart over the book, for the same reason some of ya'll have already said - the book tends to drag. Inkdeath is my favorite of 'em all. My favorite part is *do not read if you have not read the books or it will totally ruin them for you* when Dustfinger gives his life for Farid.

And oh yes... Dustfinger is awesome.

Yes, Manda, I cried.

I cried too. I cried even more because I didn't have the next book to go straight onto.

But yes, the movie is really good Elanor, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Though the books are better, I still really liked the way the movie was done. Paul Bettany did a spectacular job of Dustfinger; he looked almost exactly how I pictured him! All the cast fitted my imagination except maybe for Capricorn and Meggie. Brendan Fraser made the perfect Mo. (considering Funke based Mo off of him, I'm glad he did )

My favourite parts were in the third book where Orpheus was reading those terrors to Mo when he was in the dungeon. I cried, it was such a powerful scene. I also liked it where Dustfinger confronted the Basta creature. Good stuff.

I don't think the first book dragged too much; I may have been captivated by the writing though. I like how richly detailed the world is described by Cornelia, so though it was slow, I found it quite entrancing.

I am also a big Dustfinger fan.

The first book definitely didn't drag too much. I really liked it and actually liked how long it was. A nice change from the slim and sparse young person's books that fill the market.

I also watched the movie before I read the book, and I have to say I liked the book better. It resolved much better than the movie, and I also liked the extended plot better. For a movie made out of a fantastic book, it didn't do bad at all (Brendan Fraser fan here...he filmed a scene of a movie within twenty miles of my house...still haven't gotten over that...)

I would rather have a trilogy of long movies like LotR that covers the entire Inkheart trilogy...that would be spectacular. If done right, of course.

*also Brendan Fraser fan*

It's a series you can't predict the end to, which is something I found. I kinda liked it for that.

I must read the books, as everyone seems to think they're better than the film. Paul Bettany was really good as Dustfinger; and I loved Helen Mirren, she was so funny.

I've seen the movie to the first book, but someone I know told me that the book is much better than the movie.

What did you think of the movie, Rachel?

*reads over last few posts* Must... not click... spoilers.
*squeezes eyes shut* I have to read these books.

I watched the movie, and I fell in love.

Lady Elanor: I thought the movie was pretty good. I just started to read some fantasy, and this one seemed like it would make a really good read. Or I would love listening to an audio on it.

I saw the movie before I read the books. I really liked the movie and when I heard that the author of the books was from Germany(I'm part German), I wanted to read the books. And so I did. I didn't think they dragged or anything. I probably didn't think about it. I was too busy thinking about how the first book was different from the movie. lol
I stopped reading the first book some time near the end but a week later or so I started back up and finished the book.
For Inkspell, I stopped three-fourths to the end and then got back into reading it a long time later and finally finished it.
I couldn't put down Inkdeath. It was so good!

I like Paul Bettany (awesome in Master and Commander), and he was a really fun Dustfinger; Helen Mirren (Hilarious in National Treasure) was great in her eccentric role. I was glad when she finally lost the turban, though.

And Andy Serkis!!!!

What is that sticky stuff called again?
Duct tape.
Oh yes, Duct tape.