Inkheart

By: Cornelia Funke

Narrated by: Lynn Redgrave

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Imagine it were possible to bring the characters from a book to life. Not like when you listen to an audiobook with such enchantment that the characters seem to jump off the pages and into your bedroom...but for real. Imagine they could actually climb out of the pages and into our world.

Then imagine if those characters brought their world into ours.

This is the story of young Meggie, who lives a quiet life alone with her father Mo, a bookbinder, until one cruel night when Mo reads aloud from Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books.

Somehow, Meggie and Mo must learn to harness the magic that conjured up this nightmare. Somehow they must change the course of the story that has changed their lives forever.

This is Inkheart, a timeless tale about books, about imagination, about life.

©2003 Cornelia Funke (P)2003 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Heart-stopping language that impels the reader....a true feast for anyone who has ever been lost in a book." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Will delight not just fantasy fans, but all readers who like an exciting plot with larger-than-life characters." (School Library Journal)

Amazing

I read this book once before in high school. The story was just as enchanting the second time around.

Wonderful

Excellent all around. The story keeps your interest while keeping you guessing what's going to happen next.
Looking forward to hearing the rest of the series.

Bookbinding:A lost Art

This is the second time for me to enjoy first book in this series Ms. Redgrave did a great job of putting me into her reading. Love these books. On to the next one in this series.

Slow-ish story, amazing narration

Story was a bit slow, and I'm a bit more of a high fantasy person, I also could predict many of the twists and that always sours a story for me. It would be nice to have a genre savvy character who didn't get surprised when the bad guys show up unexpectedly JUST at the wrong time. The narrator was amazing though, this woman knows how to read a story and her voices were varied, lively, and just painted just as vivid a picture as Moe's voice was said to in the story.

I love all things magical

If you could sum up Inkheart in three words, what would they be?

This book kept my attention and when I wasn't listening I couldn't wait to get back to it.

What did you like best about this story?

The power of words, calling forth the past, present and future destiny.

Have you listened to any of Lynn Redgrave’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I hadn't however, I look forward to more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just excited about the characters

Any additional comments?

A must read for any age.

Creative and Lovely

This is a great story for all ages but especially those with a strong sense of whimsy and a deep love of books. There is plenty of action, twists, turns, and creativity. Lynn Redgrave is perfect. Truly a wonderful narration by her and one of the best narrations I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Magnificent Narrator, Forgettable Book

Lynn Redgrave's reading was stunning. It's worth getting just to hear her. The book itself simply should have been better. If you want a good modern fantasy on a similar subject, read some Charles de Lint, perhaps "Memory and Dream." I disagree that "Inkheart" would make an excellent children's book simply because it dragged and the characters were forgettable. If you want something wildly imaginative and child friendly, go with something suitable by Neil Gaimon, who is himself an extraordinary reader. I wanted very much to like, and perhaps share, this book from the moment I heard Ms. Redgrave. It saddens me that I did not.

a little too long and wordy

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It's too long and wordy.

Would you be willing to try another book from Cornelia Funke? Why or why not?

No. It's too long and the others are longer.

What three words best describe Lynn Redgrave’s voice?

Rich and enchanting.

Was Inkheart worth the listening time?

No.

Any additional comments?

Good for middle school aged youngsters.

Great listening!!!

The first book of this enchanting trilogy is so much fun to listen to. Lynn Redgrave does such a great job bringing the characters to life and gives them such personality. I can't wait to get the second book in the trilogy, Inkspell!!!

My daughter really enjoyed this book

Excellent presentation, we really enjoyed reading along with audible it brought the book alive for my daughter. She usually doesn't like read but With this audible she was eager and excited to read the next chapter.
Thank you.