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)

Not just for kids

The main character in this book is the little girl, so it may not be for you real macho types, but you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it. It is just good storytelling, with an excellent narrator.

Loved this book

The story was great and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.

GREAT Book- 100% Should Read!

I really enjoy this book. I had lots of fun listening to it, and I recommend it for anyone. Great job Audible and Cornelia F.!!

Love at first read

I read this book years ago and instantly loved it. Now I can listen to it whenever I want. Life is good.

This was a pleasure!

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

Intriguing, captivating, thrilling

What other book might you compare Inkheart to and why?

??

Which character – as performed by Lynn Redgrave – was your favorite?

All the characters were fantastic! I couldn't pick out a favorite. Lynn Redgrave was "spot on" for each character, but I think I could probably listen to her narrate the phone book!

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

I was captivated by the story and couldn't wait to see what adventure would befall them next.

Any additional comments?

Lynn Redgrave is fabulous as a narrator. I hope she does more readings. I really enjoyed this book and hope that the sequels are just as good. I wouldn't recommended to very young people, the bad guys are REALLY bad.

Very enjoyable even at 56 years old.

I hope at basic at times but the characters and story held my interest the whole way

Inkheart is an excellent book for listening.

Would you consider the audio edition of Inkheart to be better than the print version?

I have not read the book.. so, I can't compare. However, I will say Lynn Redgrave has the best reading voice for this type of novel. She made the beloved Inkheart story of the talented Cornelia Funke come alive!! I love all of Lynn's inflections, dramatic demonstrations, and of course her lovely accent.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is sweet and brave Maggie. Why..because she is sweet and brave... then DustFinger because he is the romantically heartsick for home real character we can all relate to..

Which scene was your favorite?

When mother and child reunite.. then when all the fairies and trolls appear.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

DustFinger's time of loss and want for home. The point where Elinor's sees the loss of her books and the point when Elinor sees her niece, Teresa.

Any additional comments?

Great Book.. can't wait to hear the next two books in the series.. then I'll watch the movie, maybe.

I enjoyed this book. Lynn Redgrave great narrator!

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

An enjoyable listen.

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

No. Lynn Redgrave is wonderful. I had to return the next book in series, ink spell, because the narrator was awful. I will have to read Inkspell and then listen to Inkdeath. Allen Courdener narrates and he was wonderful in The Book Thief!

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable for all ages.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

We could listen all day to Lynn Redgrave’s velvety smooth voice. My 7 year old daughter and I really enjoyed the story - a big bold adventure - a little scary at times - but ultimately sweet. Wonderful, endearing characters. We are on the way to Inkspell now.

love the story and the reader!

I have read this book before, as have my kids and it is a go to when we need a trusted read that we know we can thoroughly enjoy again! the writing is done well and the reader brings the words to life. we love the whole series and this a great start too it!!