Movie v. Book: Inkheart

Inkheart is the story of a Meggie and her father Mo. Mo is a slivertongue, a person who can read items and characters out of books and into our world. Mo has been on the hunt for a special book called, Inkheart, and in the beginning of the movie, he finds it. Meggie’s mom disappeared suddenly when Meggie was a baby and after finding Inkheart, Mo is on the run from a man named Capricorn. Meggie knows there is a connection between her mother, this book, and a man named Dustfinger. With the help of her eccentric aunt, Meggie decides to solve the mystery to save her father and her mother.

Inkheart is a large book, over five hundred pages, and the story unfolds rather slowly. The plot is interesting but I found myself wanting to skim pages and chapters to discover what would happen without having to read the extensive descriptions. Family is emphasized as extremely important in the novel, especially Meggie’s relationship with her father. I like the values the book promotes. The adults in this novel are not stereotypes as mean or stupid or un-cool. The adults are important in Meggie’s life and she truly loves her family. I like the example it provides readers. And, of course, what librarian couldn’t like a book that promotes a love of reading?

Overall, I am not a fan of this book. I love the idea and I love the plot but I was bored throughout the majority of it. In the book’s defense, my best friend loves it and swears I am crazy. Children who enjoy fantasy novels will enjoy this book. It adds some much needed action to the children’s market but this is not a novel for reluctant readers by any means.
Inkheart, the movie, was released in January 2009. The movie stays very true to the novel’s plot until the very end of the story. The movie’s ending ties up all lose ends whereas the novel is the first book in a trilogy and leaves events unfinished. For example, in the movie all of the characters return to their perspective books except for Farid who was in love with Meggie. In the book, Dustfinger and a few of Capricorn’s men stay in our world. In the movie, the author of Inkheart is sent into the book at his request but in the novel he is accidently sent there. These subtle differences will make creating a sequel difficult. Funke’s website, though, hints at the possibility of an Inkspell movie.

Inkheart the movie was fast-paced and the characters transferred well to film. Fans of adventure movies will appreciate the action and the villains. In fact, I liked the movie better than the book! Can you believe that? I felt like the book was a slow read even though I wanted to know the ending. I hope Inkspell is made into a movie because I would love to know more of the story but I just don’t think I can read it…

Funke, C. (2005). Inkheart. New York: Scholastic.

Softley, I. (Producer & Director). (2008). Inkheart. [Movie Picture]. Germany: Internationale Filmproduktion Blackbird Dritte.