A Very Personal Book Report 1 "MOMO"
Book Title: Momo
Author: Michael Andreas Helmuth Ende
Fiction/ Nonfiction : Fiction
Introduction
This is about the book I’ve just finished reading. It’s “Momo” by German, children’s literature writer, Michael Ende. Published in 1973. I chose this book because it is partly why I named our daughter, Momo. Only a little part, but I had this Momo in my mind when I suggested several names for our daughter to my husband. And, when we move to Germany, people, who are proud of Michale Ende and his works, may ask if Momo, our daughter, is named after the girl in the story. I thought Momo and I could prepare ourselves for that question. I remember reading this book, when I was in my 4th or 5th grade, supposedly the best age to read this story. But I got bored at about 1/10 or 1/9 of the way through the whole book. I wasn’t a bookworm type at all. I was busy running around and bullying other kids. Reading was not something that appeared in my schedule. The book was simply too thick for me at that time. The story was also a bit complicated. However, people have continued to say for years and years, that this is a good book. I feel like I have been haunted. Therefore, I have always wanted to read it and vanish the annoying thing in between the book and myself. This time, I got another reason for reading it. So, why not now? I dug in.
The Story
As stated at the very beginning of the story, it is a wonderful story of a time thief organisation and the girl (Momo) who gave back the stolen time to humans.
Conclusion
I totally agree with the people who said that this is a good book and wanted to recommend others to read it. Lots of things in the story were written especially for adults. Children may not understand everything, but they also need to hear them, since they will be adults soon.
Jiji said that you go back to yourself (by talking to Momo), and you can get away from yourself (by listening to Jiji’s imaginary stories). That’s something important. But when you are trying to save time, you can’t do or forget to do, both of them together or separately. While reading, I kept thinking of my busy friends in Japan. They are exactly the people in the village under the Gray Men’s (the thief organisation's) bad spell. And myself, having not many duties but lots of time, is Momo, who is waiting for friends to come in the ruins of the amphitheater. I smile at flowers and I talk to sheep! After communicating with my busy Japanese friends, I got to thinking that I am not mature enough, childish, a bit crazy too, imagining and thinking too much about unuseful, unnecessary things. I also thought that my life is too easy and relaxed, compared to theirs. I have quietly and carefully protested against their busy, stressed lives, though. But I am afraid it was annoying for them to see or hear me do that, if they had noticed the protest at all. They are doing their best to do their best in what they are doing. In their 40’s, they need to be responsible at work, also at home. Houses are very expensive in Japan. They usually need to pay loans. Once in a while, they would want to spend good weekends away from home. Further more, they want to save money for kids' future education. And what I say may sound like what you are doing is nothing important. And what I say must sound stupid. Since it would sound as if talking to sheep is more worthy than working hard and earning money. Therefore, I am trying to be quiet because I don’t want to lose friends, annoy or hurt them. But I do feel like recommending them to read this book. Then again, I know that they don’t have time to read it!