You know, I'm glad to hear another adult give this book a 'meh.' I had high hopes and stole my oldest son's copy away once he fell asleep (this was 3-4 years ago or so, when he actually SLEPT). I read the first section and was juuuust getting into it...when the magic stuff started up. Now, I'm a big time fantasy fan. I don't usually OBJECT when the magic starts up! But I really liked the story when it was about the 12yo and her book binding father and her obsession, and her enjoyment of candles and reading by candle light. The whole rest of the book felt forced. 'I must write About Magic and About Writing!' and so she did. But the only part of the story that felt genuine and subtle and layered was the initial description of a girl and her father and their love of books. I wonder if *that* is the book Funke actually wanted to write?

The other possibility I've kept in mind is that a whole lot was lost in translation? I don't know anyone fluent in German and English who's read both versions, so it remains a theory :)