Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun

Precise rating: 3.5 ⭐

This book was a big surprise for me. After reading the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke, I realised that I really dislike her writing style. This book though ... it was written so much better! And even though I knew the story already from the movie (that I really love), Funke added just the right amount of extra story to it. Here and there, I was reminded of her bad writing in Inkheart, but at other times, I was touched and even almost cried at the end.

I loved the movie, so I guess it's no surprise that I loved the novelization of the movie. Not to mention that this is one of the most gorgeous physical books I have seen in a long time! Seriously, the cover jacket is BEAUTIFUL and don't forget to take a look at the actual cover paintings on the front & back - stunning! AND each page has sketch around the text, as well as sporadic detailed sketches throughout! Sometimes novelizations of movies can be so dry and uninteresting, but Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke managed to make this one something special. Perhaps the story already lends itself to novelization, being after all a dark fairytale, but I found that although the story is basically the same, the descriptions manage to flesh it out and make it even more magical than the movie managed. The writing gives it an earthy, haunting and mystic feel that isn't as easy to convey on film. The main story is also diverted now and again by a fairytale-like stories that ties in with the central story, which gives it an even fuller feel and wider scope. It's not often I think movie novelizations are worthwhile, but this one definitely was, and was handled well. It was still the story that I enjoyed in the movie, but fleshed out in just the right ways to make it a rewarding read.