Book: Momo (in Spanish)

$12.00
BK-MOMO-ESP

A children's book for adults as well. Written in 1974, by Michael Ende (author of "The Never Ending Story) Last published in the U.S. in1985. Out-of-print in the U.S. since then. Yet more timely today, 31 years after it was first published, than ever for American readers. The Spanish language edition, published in Madrid, fortunately includes all of the line drawings that appear in the original hardcover edition of the book. These drawings are not included in the English language edition published in London. Also, the covers of the two editions are very different looking. The English language edition has a forlorn, emaciated-looking, yet very determined, serious-looking girl on the cover who could even be an old woman due to the artist's depiction. It's an unsettling image, right out of a devastated, under-developed, famine-stricken country. Not really an accurate portrayal of the lead character of this novel. The Spanish edition features a cover dominated by an eerily Twilight Zone-like street scene with the Men in Gray, and only a tiny circular inset picture of a very different-looking "Momo" - a young, vibrant, smart, mischievous and cute version, right out of central casting. It's the complete opposite version from the English cover. In neither case can you really tell this book by its cover. The story is the same, in Engish or in Spanish and it's a powerful one. The story is of an orphan girl named Momo who lives in an ancient, abandoned ampitheatre on the outskirts of an unnamed city and country. She has a special gift of being able to listen, really listen, in a way that draws people, especially other young people to her. She finds that a secret elite of people, the "Men in Gray", have been getting away with a scheme so outrageous it's hard to believe they can. But they have been, because the people, unwittingly, let them. They give the "Men in Gray" the very power to exist. It's an adventurous tale, a timeless allegory and a timely story about . . .Time, among other things. It's a book that won't become obsolete or seem dated any time in the future. A book to read aloud to children, who will get much of its message on their level, and you, the older and (possibly) wiser will appreciate it on a deeper and subtler level. An unforgetable story. "Momo" deserves another chance to be read here in the U.S., so we are making it available. Here's what three reviewers wrote about "Momo" at the time of its U.S. publication:

"Riveting stuff - a fantasy unlike anything I can remember reading." ( Naomi Lewis)

"...there is real ingenuity to its imaginative force...and the conception and shapes of its fantasy devices are charmingly fresh. Is it a children's book? Not here in America." (Natalie Babbit, Washington Post Book World, 3/17/85)

"Ende's story is a poignant, appealing tale. We need more people [like Momo] who are able to give others the gift of time, and less who have no time to give..The book fits neatly into the crack between fantasy and mainstream allegory and satire. We can claim it for our own...but so can everyone else. And that may be one key to its success." (Tom Easton, Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, October 1985)

"...Momo shows, in a very good way, what the world has come to - how time itself is (mis-)used by adults, and the price it comes with. Truly a great book for children AND adults. I can recommend this tome of wisdom a sincerely without doubts as I can recommend 'The Never-Ending Story.' (mes_latoth@hotmail.com; London, England, 11/21/99)

"...[Momo] starts off as quite a simple story, but as the pages go by, you realize you are reading something quite remarkable." (journalmythopoetic.com; 10/6/04)

"Genius. The book is awestriking, deeply philosophical and it's more important for grown-ups to read than children ... Some parts of the book are very frightening and this is because at the same time they're very imaginary, they are also real, at the same time ... as being something that you have encountered many times and know it, just like everyone else in the world. You have to read the book to see what I'm getting at there. No, it's not ven a magc thing. By the way, the stuff involving time in this book is not about time-travel. It uses time in ways that I have never seen anybody do before. Suggestion: read it! Preferably aloud with others, because you need to share this book with your loved ones. No, it isn't corny, but you need it and it's really, really cool, so it's a hell of a lot better than anything on TV." (Orion Sandstorm, Utah)

"I'm so glad I have my childhood copy, because this is one unforgettable story. It's unfortunate that it's still not in print [in the U.S.] A truly beautiful story with an honorable heroine and unforgettable characters." (Elizabeth Crabtree, Santa Cruz, CA)

Because there is no U.S. publisher, we had to import the book. Read it and pass it on to your local town, neighborhood or school library, since they probably don't have a copy. This story will only grow in relevance over time, rather than diminish. In the Author's Postscript, Ende claims to have been told the story by a passenger, while on a long night journey by train. He writes: "Then my mysterious acquaintance made a remark which I feel bound to put on record. 'I've described all these events' he said, 'as if they'd already happened. I might as well have described them as if they still lay in the future. To me, there's very little difference.' "