MOMO - THE FANTASTIC BOOK

What value has this book, is it literature, just another science-fiction book, serious criticism of anything or what. In German literature scene the ouevre of Ende is often pushed thoughtlessly into the children literature, which is not really fair to Ende. Critics had always difficulties to express exactly what they think of Ende's books.

In "Momo" Ende follows the idea that many people lose the view of the important things in the life. However the author arouses the impression, people can't handle this danger theirself. This is a strange assumption, but in the book necessary to present one of the three fronts: 1. Momo - the Saver 2. the usual inhabitants of the city - the unexplained crowd 3. the grey men - the bad things in this world. Momo starts to defend the substantial values of the human world without being fascinated by good-looking short-timed wrong ideals. What do you need wealth, success, popularity for if you more and more lose yourself? People start accepting new values so quickly that Momos seems for them to have a very naive point of view, although they can't be objectiv any longer, can't accept another view. My point of criticism becomes thus clear: Why must there be an individual person, who has to change alone everything. I guess I'm not romantic enough to wait for someone to entirely rule my world.

Nontheless I would like to emphasize the positive characteristics of Ende's writings: Michael Ende has a marvelous style to write: Briefly, concisely, being based on beautiful pictures, clearly ambiguously. Its reading relaxes and is suitable for all age groups. Both children and adults find their fun in it. And this may remain. The book loses neither with second reading, nor in the radio play version or the film at attraction. And now: Have fun with reading!