Title: Pan’s Labyrinth
Author: Cornelia Funke, Guillermo Del Toro
Genre: Fantasy/ Horror/ Young Adult
Published: 2019
Description: Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and bestselling
author Cornelia Funke have come together to transform Del Toro’s hit movie “Pan’s
Labyrint” into an epic and dark fantasy novel for readers of all ages, complete
with haunting illustrations and enchanting short stories that flesh out the
folklore of this fascinating world.
This spellbinding tale takes readers to a sinister, magical, and
war-torn world filled with richlt drawn characters like trickster fauns,
murderous soldiers, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost
princess hoping to be reunited with her family.
Review: It does not happen often that I prefer the movie over the book, but in
this case I did. But there is a reason for it. “Pan’s Labyrinth” was a movie
before it became a novel. Director Guillermo del Toro asked author Cornelia
Funke to translate his masterful film to a book. Not for all ages in my
opinion, like the synopsis says, but middle-grade or young adult would be more appropriate.
We meet Ofelia, a young girl who loves fairytale stories. Together with
her mother Carmen she moves into a house in the woods, with her mother’s new husband
Vidal, who Ofelia calls “the Wolf”. Carmen is expecting a baby with Vidal, but
Ofelia believes Vidal doesn’t really love her mother and only wants a son to
carry on his bloodline. Because Ofelia never feels welcome in her new home, she
starts exploring her new ‘neighborhood’. Where she meets Pan, a Faun and the
keeper of a secret labyrinth. He believes Ofelia is the long-lost princes
Moanna and he gives her task, so she can return to her family. And so a journey
begins.
The story is beautifully written and it’s accompanied by amazing illustrations.
Because I have already seen the movie, it was easy for me to imagine all the
creatures, the surroundings and characters of the book. But I felt like the
book was missing something that the movie did have and I cant quite put my
finger on it. Even though I still believe this book is fantastic and a
wonderfully written tale, I believe the film conveys the right atmosphere to
the audience better than the book did.
I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers, this is the
type of fantasy that even I love.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
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