Cornelia Funke’s new book to benefit from worldwide coordinated launch
Three publishers will launch fantasy author Cornelia Funke’s Reckless on September 14, 2010, with a combined hardcover first printing of more than 1,000,000 copies.
Reckless follows the adventures of brothers Jacob and Will Reckless in a magical, yet haunting world.” The story was inspired by Grimm’s fairy tales.
Plans are underway for a New York City premiere event for the book’s launch, which will be streamed live online. The publishers are also coordinating their marketing efforts for the book, which will be centred around the www.corneliafunkefans.com web-site.
“I breathlessly await September 14th,” Funke said in a statement. “The publication of Reckless marks the first time in my career when my fans around the world will all be able to read my new book on the same day.”
Born in Dorsten, Germany, Cornelia Caroline Funke aspired to being an astronaut when a child but took the route of studying education theory at Hamburg University. After establishing herself with the Ghosthunters (Gespensterjäger) and Wild Chicks (Wild Hühner) series of books in her home country it was the fantasy novel Dragon Rider in 1996 that saw her on the New York Times bestseller list for 78 weeks and brought her writing to an international audience. She has since gone on to write several popular titles not least the Inkheart trilogy.
Posted: January 16th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
Funke, Donaldson, Riddell and Kerr at the Edinburgh festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival brings writers, poets, thinkers, politicians, photographers and artists from around the world to debate, discuss, argue and inspire. Over 800 events take place in the wonderful setting of Charlotte Square Gardens in the historic heart of Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
There’s a big bag of events for children this year: recommended are a rare appearance from Inkheart author Cornelia Funke (Aug 17), as well as Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson (Aug 24, 29 and 30). Chris Riddell talks about the end of The Edge Chronicles (Aug 22), while Judith Kerr (The Tiger who Came to Tea) remembers her childhood fleeing from the Nazis (Aug 20). All at Charlotte Square Gardens (0845 373 5888).
For more information, visit http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/festivals/book.
Posted: August 1st, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke, Julia Donaldson, The Edge Chronicles
Fantasy rules audio-book downloads
OverDrive, the leading global distributor of audio-books and eBooks to libraries, schools, and retailers, today announced the ‘Most Downloaded Books from the Library’ for April 2009.
In juvenile fiction, the top 10 consists entirely of fantasy authors Stephenie Meyer, Christopher Paolini, Eoin Colfer and Cornelia Funke all proving that fantasy is still very much close to the heart of today’s youngsters:
Juvenile Fiction (audio-books)
- Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer (Listening Library)
- New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer (Listening Library)
- Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer (Listening Library)
- Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer (Listening Library)
- Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini (Listening Library)
- Eragon, by Christopher Paolini (Listening Library)
- Eldest, by Christopher Paolini (Listening Library)
- Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer (Listening Library)
- Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke (Listening Library)
- The Arctic Incident, by Eoin Colfer (Listening Library)
The fantasy genre also performs strongly in eBook downloads:
Juvenile Fiction (eBooks)
- Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- Coraline, by Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean (HarperCollins)
- Prom Nights from Hell, by Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Lauren Myracle, Michele Jaffe (HarperCollins)
- School’s Out–Forever, by James Patterson (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- Avalon High, by Meg Cabot (HarperCollins)
- Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini (Random House Children’s Books)
- The Alchemyst, by Michael Scott (Random House Children’s Books)
To see complete lists of the most downloaded books on OverDrive follow this link:
http://search.overdrive.com/Most-Downloaded-Audiobooks-eBooks-Library.asp
Posted: May 8th, 2009
Author: Floresiensis
Categories: Audio-books, Christopher Paolini, Cornelia Funke, Eoin Colfer, Stephenie Meyer
Cornelia Funke on JK Rowling
At the screening of the film of her novel Inkheart, author Cornelia Funke gave some new comments regarding the work of Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Cornelia Funke said “that she admires fellow author JK Rowling’s ability to use visual imagery rather than realistic descriptions to help readers of all ages understand difficult topics.”
She clouds your reality into a “costume.” For example when she does torture, in a children’s book, she goes so close to what torture is – and you can bear to look at it because she clouds it in a costume. Or when Dumbledore has the pensieve, where he puts the thoughts that bother him – he doesn’t want to get rid of the memories, but he can’t stand them for awhile. What a perfect way to express the human condition!
So that, I think is the task of fantasy writers that put our human condition into story – not into realistic description. And she [Rowling] can do that.
Source: The Leaky Cauldron
Joanne Rowling, better known and indeed, EXTREMELY well known around the world as JK Rowling was born in the town of Yate, South Gloucestershire in 1965. She is the most successful literary author of all time and her world-famous Harry Potter series has so far sold a staggering 380,000,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into over sixty different languages.
Cornelia Funke’s fantasy novel Dragon Rider in 1996 saw her on the New York Times bestseller list for 78 weeks and brought her writing to an international audience. The Inkheart trilogy was completed in 2008 with the book Inkdeath following the release of Inkspell which won her the Book Sense Book of the Year Children’s Literature Award in 2006 and Inkheart has now become the subject of a multi-million pound film staring Brendan Fraser.
Posted: January 22nd, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke, JK Rowling
Win great Inkheart prizes!
IESB has some great Inkheart prize items that you have a chance to win!
Prize Packages
One Grand Prize Winner Will Receive – A Digital Book Reader, one Kajeet Prepaid Phone, one Inkheart Nintendo DS Game, one Leather belt with pouch, an Inkheart Sketchbook with Pencil Case & Pencil, a sheet of Tattoos and one Kids’ Unisex Inkheart Tee.
Four Second Prize Winners Will Receive – An Inkheart Sketchbook with Pencil Case & Pencil, a sheet of Tattoos and one Kids’ Unisex Inkheart Tee.
Click on the following link for a chance to win these great prizes:
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6028&Itemid=99
Based on the best-selling book by Cornelia Funke, Inkheart is a fantasy adventure that sends a father and daughter on a quest through worlds both real and imagined.
Mortimer “Mo” Folchart (Brendan Fraser) and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie (Eliza Hope Bennett), share a passion for books. What they also share is a unique gift for bringing characters from books to life when they read aloud. But there is a danger: for every character brought to life from a book, a real person disappears into its pages.
The Inkheart trilogy was completed in 2008 with the book Inkdeath following the release of Inkspell which won her the Book Sense Book of the Year Children’s Literature Award in 2006 and Inkheart has now become the subject of a multi-million pound film staring Brendan Fraser.
Posted: January 7th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
Twilight tops UK box office
Teen vampire movie Twilight took the largest bite of the box office cash over the weekend, Screen International said on Tuesday.
Twilight, based on the bestselling novel by U.S. author Stephenie Meyer, took 2.5 million pounds in its first three days, beating animated comedy Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa into second place.
Seasonal comedy Four Christmases stayed in third place, while sci-fi remake The Day The Earth Stood Still, fell from top spot to fourth. Animated adventure The Tale of Despereaux, featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Matthew Broderick and Emma Watson, debuted in fifth place with fantasy adventure Inkheart falling to sixth.
Posted: December 24th, 2008
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke, Stephenie Meyer
The Inkheart movie adaptation: what did the critics think?
“This is one of those adaptations that tries to keep you watching with its sheer busyness. At times, though, you just want it to stop and catch breath with the aid of some rather better lines and deeper characterisations.”
This Is London – 2/5
“The sublime irony of this medley of state-of-the-art special effects is how earnestly Softley’s film champions the superiority of the written word. Inkheart shows why books are wonderful yet dangerous places; how a well-told story unlocks the imagination; and how words unleash the most unpredictable emotions.”
Times Online – 4/5
“Although Brendan Fraser can play the strong but sensitive dad or husband with his eyes shut you never feel anything less than 100 per cent commitment to the role. And Eliza Hope Bennett holds her own with a stellar cast including Helen Mirren and Paul Bettany. Younger kids may get a bit confused but the action and special effects should see them through to the end. And they may even want to have the book read to them, which is no bad thing at all.”
Glasgow Daily Record – 3/5
“Adapting children’s fiction for the big screen is a process laden with pitfalls. Sticking closely to the original work may result in a dutiful, unimaginative film; stray from the source and you incur the wrath of fanatical young readers. Reworking Cornelia Funke’s best-seller Inkheart, British director Iain Softley navigates these hazards creditably… Irritatingly, many characters burst into irritating, honeyed paeans of praise about reading. “The written word,” we are told, “is a powerful thing.” As for books, they “love anyone who opens them”. Yet ironically, Softley resorts to computer-generated imagery to stage the story’s explosive climax: in film, words alone will not do. Still, Inkheart is cheerful and amiable, and in the absence of a Harry Potter film this winter, it fills a gap neatly”
Telegraph – 3/5
“While this film doesn’t break any new ground in this genre it is a great movie that will entertain both children and adults and fills the hole left by Harry Potter as well as delivering a great message about the importance of books and reading. Inkheart is a great fantasy flick to catch with the family this Christmas.”
Female First – 3/5
“Sadly, a well-meaning agenda doesn’t a make a good movie in itself, and that’s just what this is, a solid slice of family entertainment that won’t change your life. Hey, you might not remember much of it when it’s over, but it’s an enjoyable little distraction while it lasts.”
Epoch Times – 3/5
Posted: December 17th, 2008
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
Cornelia Funke to sign books in Southwark on the 13th of December
Cornelia Funke, author of the Inkheart trilogy is to hold an exclusive Christmas book signing at Tales on Moon Lane. The German author also known worldwide for the success of her books, The Thief Lord and Dragon Rider will be signing copies of her most recent best sellers including Inkdeath.
Funke will be at Tales on Moon Lane, 25 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, on Saturday 13th December, from 4pm onwards. This is an excellent opportunity for fans to meet the author.
The success of Inkheart and Inkspell has introduced Cornelia to a new audience of young adult readers, in just seven years she has sold over six million copies in English worldwide.
Her visit comes as Inkheart, the first book in the Ink trilogy is due to be released on film this December. It is said to be the children’s Christmas movie of 2008.
Source: Southwark News
A story within a story, Inkheart tells the tale of a book of the same name owned by Mortimer Folchart who is a book restorer who lives in a remote farmhouse with his 12-year-old daughter Meggie. Mo, as he is known to his daughter, has not told Meggie about his ‘gift’, that he can read characters out of books and that is why he never reads to her aloud. He has also not told her that whenever his magical reading voice summons someone out of a book that someone from this world disappears, like her mother disappeared nine years ago at the same time that Capricorn and his cruel henchmen appeared. Capricorn wants the book for himself and the will go to any lengths to get it. Dustfinger, also summoned from the book warns Mo that Capricorn is on his tail, but Dustfinger longs to be put back into the story from whence he came and he will do almost anything to get back so can Mo and Meggie truly trust him and how can Mo keep the book, his last link to Meggie’s mother, safe? A tale of kidnap, deceit, magic and murder, this is not a tale for the faint hearted!
Posted: December 10th, 2008
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
An interview with Inkheart star Paul Bettany
The Chester Chronicle have conducted an interview with Paul Bettany.
Paul Bettany appears in the family fantasy adventure Inkheart, released in cinemas on Friday December 12. The British actor explains that he took the role to impress his sons and talks about working alongside his wife Jennifer Connelly in Darwin biopic Creation. Paul Bettany is a busy man. His two latest films – The Secret Life Of Bees and Inkheart – are about to hit cinemas within a week of each other and he’s currently filming Darwin biopic Creation with his wife Jennifer Connelly.
The Inkheart trilogy was completed in 2008 with the book Inkdeath following the releases of Inkspell (Book Sense Book of the Year Children’s Literature Award in 2006) and Inkheart.
Posted: December 9th, 2008
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
Inkheart movie trailer
Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart has been made into a movie starring Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent and Andy Serkis.
Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read loud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. They live quietly until the night a stranger knocks at their door. He has come with a warning that forces Mo to reveal an extraordinary secret – a storytelling secret that will change their lives for ever.
Born on 10th December 1958 in Dorsten, Germany, Cornelia Caroline Funke aspired to being an astronaut when a child but took the route of studying education theory at Hamburg University. After graduating Funke (pronounced – FOON-ka) took the position of Social Worker and dedicated her three years in this role to deprived children. She then took a job as an illustrator and board game designer after completing a postgraduate course at Hamburg University of Design but soon realised that she wanted to write and illustrate her own stories; her time working with children had certainly given her an insight into the type of stories that children wanted to read and enjoy.
Posted: December 7th, 2008
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke
Book of the Month
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And its been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
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