Inkheart

This study guide will help by analyze the novel Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. You can also find a summary of the events, detailed characterizations, as well as inspiration for interpreting the novel and putting it into perspective.

Presentation of the text

Title: Inkheart (2003)

Author: Cornelia Funke

Genre: Novel

Cornelia Funke (1958) is a German writer and illustrator. She is known internationally for her children's fiction, and her work has been translated in many languages. Her best known books are The Thief Lord (2002), Dragon Rider (2004), and the Inkheart series.

Inkheart (2003) is the first novel in a series followed by Inkspell (2005) and Inkdeath (2007). It tells of the adventures of twelve-year-old Meggie and her father Mo, who both have the ability to bring characters out of books whenever they read aloud. Cornelia Funke's exciting story focuses on the magic of language, the love of books, and the fascination of reading. The story is set partly in the fantastic world of books and partly in our modern world. Despite its large size, the bestseller remains a popular school read.

Further help

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Fantasy

Extract

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Time

The plot takes place at the end of the 20th century or early beginning of the 21st. Elinor owns a car, a cell phone and credit cards (The first cell phone was sold in 1983 for $3995. It could be used to make calls for 30 minutes and it took 10 hours to charge. In 1994, the first GSM flip phone was sold).

The story of Inkheart is narrated mainly in a linear style. It begins at the end of May. However, there are not many exact dates in the novel. In chapter 16, Mo's confession occurs four days after the events begin. It is estimated that the narrated time lasts a few weeks. The rest of the action then takes place in June. It is already warm in Italy at this time. Fenoglio and Meggie, for example, are locked in a hot room in Capricorn's house.

The novel also contains flashbacks .These flashbacks are...