The book is well written, and Cornelia Funke is a creative author. Nevertheless, I saw the movie before I read the book, and it is a rare occasion when I prefer the movie to the book. Maybe it is due to the fact that I had expected to find the same dream-like quality in the book that I had found in the movie. The movie filled me with images of beauty, even though there are dark moments in it, but the book is too dark for my liking. Also, it felt less imaginative in contrast. I expected more, and I found less. Besides, I really don't like Meggie in the book. She is a kind of spoiled girl who behaves stupidly most of the time. I couldn't connect with her.
