Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The NeverEnding Story. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Bastian Balthazar Bux, who entered the world of Fantastica by naming the Childlike Empress, loses a memory of his old life every time he makes a wish. Nearly lost, he is saved by his friend Atreyu and finds the Water of Life, returning home with his love restored. He confesses to the bookseller Mr. Coreander that he took the book and finds his father waiting for him.
Quick facts
– Book: The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende
– First published: 1979
– Type: A fantasy novel
– Tone of the ending: Wise and bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Bastian, a lonely boy mourning his mother, steals a book from a shop and reads it in his school attic. Fantastica is being destroyed by the Nothing. The hero Atreyu searches for a cure for the Empress, who needs a new name from a human child. Bastian realizes he is the one.
What Happens at the End of The NeverEnding Story
Bastian names the Empress Moon Child and enters Fantastica, where he is given AURYN, an amulet that grants wishes. He wishes to be handsome, strong and brave, and with each wish he loses a memory of his real life. Manipulated by the sorceress Xayide, he grows arrogant, tries to make himself Childlike Emperor and wounds Atreyu in battle. He ends up in the City of Old Emperors, full of people who wished away all their memories. Bastian, with almost nothing left, learns humility and longs to love. Atreyu forgives him and helps him find the Water of Life. Bastian drinks and returns home with the ability to love again. He finds his father, who has been searching for him, and confesses to Mr. Coreander, who reveals he has also visited Fantastica.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Bastian names the Empress.
- Wishes erase his memory.
- Atreyu saves him.
- Bastian returns home.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Bastian Balthazar Bux | Returns home |
| Atreyu | Forgives Bastian |
| The Childlike Empress | Renamed Moon Child |
| Mr. Coreander | The bookseller |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the dangers of losing oneself in fantasy and the power of love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers often note that the famous film only adapts the first half; the second half, with Bastian's fall, is darker and more thoughtful. Ende disliked the film and asked to have his name removed.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Imagination. Imagination creates worlds.
Identity. Bastian loses and finds himself.
Friendship. Atreyu saves Bastian.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The NeverEnding Story as wise and bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Michael Ende to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are wise and bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Michael Ende closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1984 film ends after the naming of the Empress, covering only the first half.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The NeverEnding Story with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about imagination, and do you agree with Michael Ende's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as wise and bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces imagination and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Michael Ende leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The NeverEnding Story often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The NeverEnding Story earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The NeverEnding Story on Amazon
Books to Read After The NeverEnding Story
- The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
- Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Related: 15 Books Like The Neverending Story You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The NeverEnding Story?
Bastian Balthazar Bux, who entered the world of Fantastica by naming the Childlike Empress, loses a memory of his old life every time he makes a wish. Nearly lost, he is saved by his friend Atreyu and finds the Water of Life, returning home with his love restored. He confesses to the bookseller Mr. Coreander that he took the book and finds his father waiting for him.
Is the ending of The NeverEnding Story happy or sad?
Most readers call it wise and bittersweet.
What does the ending of The NeverEnding Story mean?
The ending shows the dangers of losing oneself in fantasy and the power of love.
Is the ending of The NeverEnding Story the same in the adaptation?
The 1984 film ends after the naming of the Empress, covering only the first half.
Who wrote The NeverEnding Story and when was it published?
The NeverEnding Story was written by Michael Ende and first published in 1979.
Is The NeverEnding Story worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy fantasy novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Michael Ende prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The NeverEnding Story before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.