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A review by penguinna
The Night of Wishes by Michael Ende
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
When I was a child, I adored the animated series called Wunschpunsch. Imagine my surprise when I recently discovered that it was based on the book “The Night of Wishes: Or the Satanarchaeolidealcohellish Notion Potion” by the famous German children's author, Michael Ende. I started reading the book that very evening, and it was a delightful magical Christmas story!
The plot revolves around the dark sorcerer Beelzebub Preposteror and his aunt, the evil witch Tyrannia, who are having difficulty fulfilling the annual quota of evil deeds imposed by Maledictus T. Maggot, the devil's official. They were unable to complete the list throughout the year because the High Council of the Animals sent special agents to spy on them.
However, the noble Neapolitan Cat, Maurizio di Mauro, immediately forgot his duties and became quickly won over by Beelzebub's good food and warm bed. The Raven Jacob Scribble was dispatched to Tyrannia, and he, conversely, did his job very well.
A cat and a bird could never work together, but everything changes when Beelzebub and Tyrannia realize that each of them possesses a part of a scroll containing a magic potion that makes all wishes come true. This Wunschpunsch could solve all their problems with Maledictus T. Maggot and the Devil himself if they manage to cook it before midnight and wish all the worst for the world. However, while drinking the magic punch, one must wish for the exact opposite of what they want…
The book was a charming little magical fairytale to unwind with in the evening. The funny pictures in the book always made me smile (you can see them in my bookstagram). However, I am sad that I did not read The Night of Wishes (and many other fairytales) when I was a child. As an adult, I find that they are not as enjoyable anymore.
The animated series was produced eleven years after the book's release and tells us more funny stories about Beelzebub, Tyrannia, Maurizio, and Jacob. I am excited to re-watch all the episodes now!
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The plot revolves around the dark sorcerer Beelzebub Preposteror and his aunt, the evil witch Tyrannia, who are having difficulty fulfilling the annual quota of evil deeds imposed by Maledictus T. Maggot, the devil's official. They were unable to complete the list throughout the year because the High Council of the Animals sent special agents to spy on them.
However, the noble Neapolitan Cat, Maurizio di Mauro, immediately forgot his duties and became quickly won over by Beelzebub's good food and warm bed. The Raven Jacob Scribble was dispatched to Tyrannia, and he, conversely, did his job very well.
A cat and a bird could never work together, but everything changes when Beelzebub and Tyrannia realize that each of them possesses a part of a scroll containing a magic potion that makes all wishes come true. This Wunschpunsch could solve all their problems with Maledictus T. Maggot and the Devil himself if they manage to cook it before midnight and wish all the worst for the world. However, while drinking the magic punch, one must wish for the exact opposite of what they want…
The book was a charming little magical fairytale to unwind with in the evening. The funny pictures in the book always made me smile (you can see them in my bookstagram). However, I am sad that I did not read The Night of Wishes (and many other fairytales) when I was a child. As an adult, I find that they are not as enjoyable anymore.
The animated series was produced eleven years after the book's release and tells us more funny stories about Beelzebub, Tyrannia, Maurizio, and Jacob. I am excited to re-watch all the episodes now!
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books