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A Wild Ride Through the Night
A fantastical new comic adventure from the author of the international best–seller, The 131/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear.In a world between legend and dream, in a time between childhood and adulthood, Walter Moers narrates the exhilarating adventures of 12–year–old Gustave, a boy who aspires to be a great artist. But first, Gustave must pit himself against giants and a Siamese Twin Tornado. He will also encounter the Most Monstrous of All Monsters, rescue a beautiful damsel from a dragon, traverse a forest swarming with evil spirits, navigate a Galactic Gully, and meet a dream princess, a talking horse, and even his own self. Having made a wager with death for nothing less than his life and soul, Gustave must travel from the earth to the moon and back in a single night. Using drawings from the work of Gustave Doré, the most successful illustrator of the 19th century, Walter Moers has once again created a wondrous, utterly enchanting tale.
197 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
65 people are currently reading
1806 people want to read
About the author
Walter Moers
89 books2,489 followersWalter Moers was born in 1957 and is a writer, cartoonist, painter and sculptor. He has refused to be photographed ever since his comic strips The Little Asshole and Adolf were published, the latter leading him to be declared persona non grata by the political right in Germany. Walter Moers lives in Hamburg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
January 8, 2015
His ship destroyed by a Siamese Twin Tornado and his crew drowned, a boy named Gustave is forced to accept an impossible-sounding set of challenges from Death as his only chance at survival. But the deck is always stacked in Death's favor, isn't it?
Very fun, clever fantastical wild ride through a surreal landscape of personifications and ideas. I enjoyed Moers writing very much and am looking forward to reading something else of his, although I have a slight concern that he may pall at greater length (this book is even shorter than the page count indicates, as it included art reproductions and an appendix), as there were already points in the middle where I felt a tad bored.
(Weird coincidence unrelated to the book itself: although I did not take the above photo, I did once have that same green shag carpet.)
Very fun, clever fantastical wild ride through a surreal landscape of personifications and ideas. I enjoyed Moers writing very much and am looking forward to reading something else of his, although I have a slight concern that he may pall at greater length (this book is even shorter than the page count indicates, as it included art reproductions and an appendix), as there were already points in the middle where I felt a tad bored.
(Weird coincidence unrelated to the book itself: although I did not take the above photo, I did once have that same green shag carpet.)
November 26, 2016
This is the second book I've read by German author and artist Walter Moers, the first one being The City of Dreaming Books which I liked for its imaginative and fantastical elements, but which I felt was rather long. So wanting to try another book by the author, but not wanting to invest as much time in it, I gave this one a whirl since it clocks in at 197 pages, many hundreds less than most of his other books. I also wanted to read it because I was curious about the format. It contains 21 reproductions of famous woodcuts by Gustave Doré, a 19th century French artist who illustrated books for many of the greatest writers, from Balzac to Milton to Dante to Byron and more. And here he is, around a hundred and twenty years after his death, illustrating this book. But wait! How can that be? It's because Moers had the clever idea to write his story around the existing illustrations, instead of him doing what he usually does which is illustrate his own books when writing his story. And not only did he use the artwork of Doré, he used Doré himself as the main character of this book, though as a boy of 12 when Doré had dreams of becoming an artist. But first, in this fictional fantasy story, he had to survive his childhood and an encounter with Death to grow up and become the artist of his dreams.
Did I mention this is a children's book? Or is it? With some of the mature subject matter and frightening or erotic artwork, I'm going to say it's suitable for ages 13 and up, to be on the safe side. It begins with young Gustave piloting his own ship complete with his own crew, and soon finding himself in the midst of not one, but two tornadoes that bring him to Death's door--literally. Death doesn't usually make deals, but thanks to his sister Dementia spilling the beans, he makes one with Gustave who will be spared an early death should he complete six challenging tasks. But there's a catch. As if the six near impossible tasks weren't enough, Gustave must complete them all in one night.
Will Gustave be up to the tasks? And will Death keep his word and spare him if he is? The answers are in this book which made me laugh at times, though also grimace and sigh in exasperation, especially since I had been hoping for a much more satisfying and original ending, considering the inventive premise. But as I mentioned, this book was intended for younger readers, so taking that into consideration, the ending would be more satisfying. There were also nods within the story to many of the classics the woodcuts were originally fashioned for, making this a treat for adults familiar with the references. So all in all, this was a fine story for young teens on up, with the inclusion of some great artwork in an inventive book I'm glad I read.
Did I mention this is a children's book? Or is it? With some of the mature subject matter and frightening or erotic artwork, I'm going to say it's suitable for ages 13 and up, to be on the safe side. It begins with young Gustave piloting his own ship complete with his own crew, and soon finding himself in the midst of not one, but two tornadoes that bring him to Death's door--literally. Death doesn't usually make deals, but thanks to his sister Dementia spilling the beans, he makes one with Gustave who will be spared an early death should he complete six challenging tasks. But there's a catch. As if the six near impossible tasks weren't enough, Gustave must complete them all in one night.
Will Gustave be up to the tasks? And will Death keep his word and spare him if he is? The answers are in this book which made me laugh at times, though also grimace and sigh in exasperation, especially since I had been hoping for a much more satisfying and original ending, considering the inventive premise. But as I mentioned, this book was intended for younger readers, so taking that into consideration, the ending would be more satisfying. There were also nods within the story to many of the classics the woodcuts were originally fashioned for, making this a treat for adults familiar with the references. So all in all, this was a fine story for young teens on up, with the inclusion of some great artwork in an inventive book I'm glad I read.
July 29, 2025
Ganz großartig wie Moers um 21 (übrigens in sehr guter Qualität reproduzierte) Bilder von Gustave Doré eine Geschichte des 12jährigen Gustave entspinnt, der sich auf einen Deal mit dem Tod einlässt und in der Folge zahlreiche Abenteuer zu bestehen hat. Die Geschichte ist voller Anspielungen und ungemein komisch – angefangen mit der verrückten Schwester des Todes, weinerlichen Monstern bis hin zu den letzten Tieren, die man bei verschiedenen Todesarten zuletzt sieht: Diese sind umso schöner und exotischer, je schmerzhafter der Tod. Stirbt man normal an Altersschwäche im Bett gibt es nur ein Huhn. Wunderbar!
April 9, 2017
Kept me entertained and walking for 20+ kilometres today, with a 19-kilo-backpack.
This wasn't quite as fantastically absurd as the Zamonien-novels, but still very entertaining. I have no doubt that Moers-Fans will enjoy the story, especially as it is a recording by Dirk Bach who to me was the perfect voice for Moers' stories.
This wasn't quite as fantastically absurd as the Zamonien-novels, but still very entertaining. I have no doubt that Moers-Fans will enjoy the story, especially as it is a recording by Dirk Bach who to me was the perfect voice for Moers' stories.
October 8, 2012
Wow. Seriously, wow.
I knew I'd enjoy this going in (cos, c'mon, it's Moers), but I was worried because I knew it didn't include HIS illustrations.
It was stupid of me to worry.
Holy crap, this was fantastic.
It reminds me of when my husband and I were first married and he'd come in to our room to find me half asleep with the lights on and my glasses askew on my face. He'd take my glasses off and turn out the light, but I'd invariably wake up and ask him to sit with me and tell me a story until I fell asleep.
The crazy things he'd come up with (far different than the bedtime stories he now makes up for our children) would make me giggle myself to sleep with their sheer outlandishness. This book seems like it could have been one of those stories. A silly bedtime tale for adults that also explains where the great Gustave Doré got his ideas.
I kind of want to meet my dream consultant now.
I knew I'd enjoy this going in (cos, c'mon, it's Moers), but I was worried because I knew it didn't include HIS illustrations.
It was stupid of me to worry.
Holy crap, this was fantastic.
It reminds me of when my husband and I were first married and he'd come in to our room to find me half asleep with the lights on and my glasses askew on my face. He'd take my glasses off and turn out the light, but I'd invariably wake up and ask him to sit with me and tell me a story until I fell asleep.
The crazy things he'd come up with (far different than the bedtime stories he now makes up for our children) would make me giggle myself to sleep with their sheer outlandishness. This book seems like it could have been one of those stories. A silly bedtime tale for adults that also explains where the great Gustave Doré got his ideas.
I kind of want to meet my dream consultant now.
November 18, 2022
I read this book now, years after purchasing it, as I have a copy of it at my parents' place, and I am spending some time here with them at the moment.
"Wilde Reise durch die Nacht" is a relatively short novel that Walter Moers wrote around 21 beautiful illustrations of the French artist Gustave Doré. This means, that Moers created a story out of a bunch of illustrations that are not necessarily connected to each other. This very idea is such a unique one, and it reminds me of when I was a teenager and I looked at the paintings of one of my favourite artists at the time, and they were telling a story to me. They made my creativity run wild, they made me day-dream. I believe that this was the very same feeling that Moers must have had when looking at Doré's work. And instead of just thinking about it, he wrote an adventurous story around it, and published it. I'm loving this.
That being said, I really liked the story, but more so Moers' prose. As with all of his work, it is deep, thought-provoking, philosophical, funny, unique, and sarcastic. It's the kind of funny that makes you laugh at existence and the absurdity of life itself.
Time and time again, Walter Moers entertains me in the most magical way with his wonderful stories. I read almost all of his books, and none of them ever disappointed me.
Great for adults and children alike.
"Wilde Reise durch die Nacht" is a relatively short novel that Walter Moers wrote around 21 beautiful illustrations of the French artist Gustave Doré. This means, that Moers created a story out of a bunch of illustrations that are not necessarily connected to each other. This very idea is such a unique one, and it reminds me of when I was a teenager and I looked at the paintings of one of my favourite artists at the time, and they were telling a story to me. They made my creativity run wild, they made me day-dream. I believe that this was the very same feeling that Moers must have had when looking at Doré's work. And instead of just thinking about it, he wrote an adventurous story around it, and published it. I'm loving this.
That being said, I really liked the story, but more so Moers' prose. As with all of his work, it is deep, thought-provoking, philosophical, funny, unique, and sarcastic. It's the kind of funny that makes you laugh at existence and the absurdity of life itself.
Time and time again, Walter Moers entertains me in the most magical way with his wonderful stories. I read almost all of his books, and none of them ever disappointed me.
Great for adults and children alike.
October 2, 2015
What a fun read this was! I think this is my book of the year so far. And Gustave Doré is no fiction, by the way...although winking gryphons and entrepreneurial, dragon-slaying naked women are. I wish they weren't though. The Time Pig reminded me of Pink Floyd for some reason????
Spoiler Alert!
This book is fantastic for one reason: beneath its kitschy, playful exterior Walter Moers ponders on the pain of first love, the peer- pressure effect of society on the individual (the Titans that make up the Natural Sciences laugh at Gustave when he tells them his dreams of being an artist), philosophical meanderings on the absurdities of time (courtesy of the Time Pig) and finally, the meaning of life itself. Moers manages to weave all this into his writing with his signature usage of metaphors, and Gustave, with his naivety, manages to complete the tasks with gusto. I'd recommend this to anyone starting out on Walter Moers' books anytime.
Spoiler Alert!
This book is fantastic for one reason: beneath its kitschy, playful exterior Walter Moers ponders on the pain of first love, the peer- pressure effect of society on the individual (the Titans that make up the Natural Sciences laugh at Gustave when he tells them his dreams of being an artist), philosophical meanderings on the absurdities of time (courtesy of the Time Pig) and finally, the meaning of life itself. Moers manages to weave all this into his writing with his signature usage of metaphors, and Gustave, with his naivety, manages to complete the tasks with gusto. I'd recommend this to anyone starting out on Walter Moers' books anytime.
February 26, 2025
Nach der Ausstellung der Werke von Walter Moers, die wir in Oberhausen besucht haben, wollte ich unbedingt mehr von ihm lesen und hab mir in der Bücherei das erste gegriffen, was mir von ihm über den Weg gelaufen ist.
Die Geschichte wird anhand von Bildern des Illustrators Gustave Doré erzählt und so ist auch der junge Doré die Hauptfigur der Geschichte. Moers erzählt hier von dessen Abenteuern mit siamesischen Zwillingstornados, den Aufgaben, die Gustave vom Tod gestellt werden um seine Seele zu retten und Galaktischen Gullies.
Prinzipiell fand ich es auch ganz nett, allerdings hat mir meistens der Biss gefehlt, den ich in anderen Büchern von Moers mochte. Klar gab es witzige Stellen und sarkastische Kommentare, aber es war mir einfach nicht genug. Insofern war das Buch für mich leider nicht mehr als ein netter Zeitvertreib und kriegt 3 ⭐.
Die Geschichte wird anhand von Bildern des Illustrators Gustave Doré erzählt und so ist auch der junge Doré die Hauptfigur der Geschichte. Moers erzählt hier von dessen Abenteuern mit siamesischen Zwillingstornados, den Aufgaben, die Gustave vom Tod gestellt werden um seine Seele zu retten und Galaktischen Gullies.
Prinzipiell fand ich es auch ganz nett, allerdings hat mir meistens der Biss gefehlt, den ich in anderen Büchern von Moers mochte. Klar gab es witzige Stellen und sarkastische Kommentare, aber es war mir einfach nicht genug. Insofern war das Buch für mich leider nicht mehr als ein netter Zeitvertreib und kriegt 3 ⭐.
July 19, 2019
"Bist du ein Diener des Todes?" fragte Gustave.
"Sind wir das nicht alle?"
Nicht so gut, wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte, aber immer noch gut. Eine sehr bildgewaltige Reise, die einen durch fantastische Landschaften führt und nicht einen Moment lang langweilig wird. Dazu wirkich gut geschrieben und schnell gelesen, so lang ist das Büchlein ja wirklich nicht.
Wer die Zamonienromane von Moers kennt und mag, wird sich auch hier wohlfühlen.
February 14, 2021
⭐2,5
Gustave möchte Zeichner werden. Um sein Ziel zu erreichen, muss er eine wilde und phantastische Reise durch die Nacht antreten, um eine Wette gegen den Tod zu gewinnen. Wird er sein Leben retten können und zu einem Meisterzeichner werden, oder erhält der Tod seine Seele?
Walter Moers hat seinen Roman anhand von 21 Bildern von Gustave Doré aufgebaut, was als Idee sehr interessant ist, aber definitv viel Kreativität benötigt. Unzusammenhängende Bilder müssen zu einer Geschichte zu verknüpft werden.
Die Handlung erinnert leicht an die Göttliche Komödie und Don Quijote. Gustave Doré selbst tritt als Protagonist auf, mit Dante als seinen anfänglichen Begleiter und Wegbereiter wie Pancho Sansa, dem Pferd.
Ich bin riesen Walter Moers Fan und "Wilde Reise durch die Nacht", ist das letzte Buch des Autors, was ich noch nicht gelesen hatte.
Leider ist genau das eingetreten, was ich befürchtet habe. Dadurch, dass die Geschichte anhand der Bilder geschrieben wird, wirkt die Handlung stark erzwungen und beinahe wie eine Reizwortgeschichte. Der Autor beweist zwar durchaus Kreativität, aber Walter Moers hat definitv bessere Bücher geschrieben. Was auch nicht erstaunlich ist, wenn man bedenkt, dass dies eines seiner früheren Werke ist und auch eher als Homage an Gustav Doré gedacht war.
Not my favorite, aber immer noch erstaunlich fantasievoll und märchenhaft.
Gustave möchte Zeichner werden. Um sein Ziel zu erreichen, muss er eine wilde und phantastische Reise durch die Nacht antreten, um eine Wette gegen den Tod zu gewinnen. Wird er sein Leben retten können und zu einem Meisterzeichner werden, oder erhält der Tod seine Seele?
Walter Moers hat seinen Roman anhand von 21 Bildern von Gustave Doré aufgebaut, was als Idee sehr interessant ist, aber definitv viel Kreativität benötigt. Unzusammenhängende Bilder müssen zu einer Geschichte zu verknüpft werden.
Die Handlung erinnert leicht an die Göttliche Komödie und Don Quijote. Gustave Doré selbst tritt als Protagonist auf, mit Dante als seinen anfänglichen Begleiter und Wegbereiter wie Pancho Sansa, dem Pferd.
Ich bin riesen Walter Moers Fan und "Wilde Reise durch die Nacht", ist das letzte Buch des Autors, was ich noch nicht gelesen hatte.
Leider ist genau das eingetreten, was ich befürchtet habe. Dadurch, dass die Geschichte anhand der Bilder geschrieben wird, wirkt die Handlung stark erzwungen und beinahe wie eine Reizwortgeschichte. Der Autor beweist zwar durchaus Kreativität, aber Walter Moers hat definitv bessere Bücher geschrieben. Was auch nicht erstaunlich ist, wenn man bedenkt, dass dies eines seiner früheren Werke ist und auch eher als Homage an Gustav Doré gedacht war.
Not my favorite, aber immer noch erstaunlich fantasievoll und märchenhaft.
February 14, 2016
A beautifully illustrated book about a young boy who receives six quests to conquer Death. Rather than die immediately that is. As witty as all Moers book, eloquent, thoughtful. The plot leaves no open ends.
November 15, 2012
"I've got no idea what's gone wrong with your dreams of late, but they've definitely been getting wilder."
When your own dear personal psychopomp aka "dream princess" who is also your late great-great-great grandmother tells you this, you know you're in for a weird adventure. Of course, by the time twelve-year-old Gustave Dore meets his ancestress and hears this observation, he's already been on one for a good bit: captaining his own ship and all but losing it to the "Siamese Twin Tornados", meeting Death and his sister Dementia, saving a Damsel in Distress from her Dragon but learning that he kind of misread that situation a bit...
Wait? Meeting Death? Yes. Death wants the kid's soul, like now, and the only way young Gustave can avoid complying is by performing a series of tasks. Welcome to the wild, weird, wonderful world of Walter Moers, here exhibited as part Where the Wild Things Are, part Maakies (Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby would have felt right at home on Gustave's ship), with a dash of the Twelve Labors of Hercules thrown in.
Every Walter Moers book I pick up becomes my new favorite Walter Moers, and A Wild Ride Through the Night is no exception, despite the absence of Moers' cartoons. That's not to say the book is unadorned by illustration, though; far from it. The story took its inspiration from twelve engravings by 19th century French engraver and illustrator Gustave Dore*, and these appear sequentially in the book (and, being engravings, look pretty okay in e-Ink, to my surprise), making it at least partly a sort of wry commentary on sequential art and how any sequence's story can be altered by any amount of interstitial storytelling; it can even be made into an imaginary portrait of the artist as a young man.
I've been a fan of Moers since I first stumbled across The City of Dreaming Books in the new books section of my public library a few years ago. With a title like that, how could I pass it by? That book was nothing like I'd expected, but altogether wonderful -- and the lovely thing about his Zamonia books* (I mean, besides their inherent charm and their amazing, adorable illustrations) is that any one of them is a wonderful introduction to this world, populated by sentient, literate, civilized dinosaurs, adventuring educated dogs, blue bears who captain ships, and yes, dreaming books. But also, any one of them is a total gateway drug; once you've sampled from it, if it's at all to your taste, you will feel utterly compelled to go and get them all. So, you know, here.
A Wild Ride Through the Night is an earlier work than the Zamonia books, but already quite a mature one: Moers has already worked out his signature style (and so has his translator, John Brownjohn), blending whimsy, satire and pathos with fairly strong character creation (Lil' Gustave is no Rumo, but who is?) and a whole lot of just plain WTFery. If you don't laugh at loud at some of these bits, see your psychiatrist. And while a lot of the weirdest stuff (like a monstrous flying pig with lizard/goat legs) originated from the fevered imagination of Dore, I really don't think Dore could have come up with the kind of dialogue Moers gives to such grotesqueries. Truly, he is like no other writer, living or dead.
But you know, if you can't have Moers illustrations in a Moers book, Dore will do. Yes, yes he will.
This one needs SIX stars. SIX.
*Illustrations used are taken from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", Orlando Furioso, "The Raven", Don Quixote, Legend of Croquemitane, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Paradise Lost, and the Bible.
When your own dear personal psychopomp aka "dream princess" who is also your late great-great-great grandmother tells you this, you know you're in for a weird adventure. Of course, by the time twelve-year-old Gustave Dore meets his ancestress and hears this observation, he's already been on one for a good bit: captaining his own ship and all but losing it to the "Siamese Twin Tornados", meeting Death and his sister Dementia, saving a Damsel in Distress from her Dragon but learning that he kind of misread that situation a bit...
Wait? Meeting Death? Yes. Death wants the kid's soul, like now, and the only way young Gustave can avoid complying is by performing a series of tasks. Welcome to the wild, weird, wonderful world of Walter Moers, here exhibited as part Where the Wild Things Are, part Maakies (Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby would have felt right at home on Gustave's ship), with a dash of the Twelve Labors of Hercules thrown in.
Every Walter Moers book I pick up becomes my new favorite Walter Moers, and A Wild Ride Through the Night is no exception, despite the absence of Moers' cartoons. That's not to say the book is unadorned by illustration, though; far from it. The story took its inspiration from twelve engravings by 19th century French engraver and illustrator Gustave Dore*, and these appear sequentially in the book (and, being engravings, look pretty okay in e-Ink, to my surprise), making it at least partly a sort of wry commentary on sequential art and how any sequence's story can be altered by any amount of interstitial storytelling; it can even be made into an imaginary portrait of the artist as a young man.
I've been a fan of Moers since I first stumbled across The City of Dreaming Books in the new books section of my public library a few years ago. With a title like that, how could I pass it by? That book was nothing like I'd expected, but altogether wonderful -- and the lovely thing about his Zamonia books* (I mean, besides their inherent charm and their amazing, adorable illustrations) is that any one of them is a wonderful introduction to this world, populated by sentient, literate, civilized dinosaurs, adventuring educated dogs, blue bears who captain ships, and yes, dreaming books. But also, any one of them is a total gateway drug; once you've sampled from it, if it's at all to your taste, you will feel utterly compelled to go and get them all. So, you know, here.
A Wild Ride Through the Night is an earlier work than the Zamonia books, but already quite a mature one: Moers has already worked out his signature style (and so has his translator, John Brownjohn), blending whimsy, satire and pathos with fairly strong character creation (Lil' Gustave is no Rumo, but who is?) and a whole lot of just plain WTFery. If you don't laugh at loud at some of these bits, see your psychiatrist. And while a lot of the weirdest stuff (like a monstrous flying pig with lizard/goat legs) originated from the fevered imagination of Dore, I really don't think Dore could have come up with the kind of dialogue Moers gives to such grotesqueries. Truly, he is like no other writer, living or dead.
But you know, if you can't have Moers illustrations in a Moers book, Dore will do. Yes, yes he will.
This one needs SIX stars. SIX.
*Illustrations used are taken from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", Orlando Furioso, "The Raven", Don Quixote, Legend of Croquemitane, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Paradise Lost, and the Bible.
February 7, 2021
I didn't know about this book, but found it when I was looking for Gustave Doré on my bookshop's website. The description told me Moers had written a story based on the works of master illustrator Gustave Doré, the book includes 21 prints of his engravings from Orlando Furioso, Don Quixote, the Bible, Poe's The Raven, and some more. I had read part of a book by Walter Moers before and remembered this was quite phantastical (it was about an aristocratic lindworm loving croissants and books, but I stopped reading it as soon as I realized I was reading a sequel without having read the first in the series), so I decided to go for it.
The title doesn't promise too much, the book indeed describes a wild nightly ride. The base story remembers of Faust, combined the Greek myth of Hercules. The young Gustave almost finds the end of his life in a sea storm, but when Death comes to take him, he offers him a deal: if he can complete six tasks, he may live on.
What follows is an absurd journey - Don Quixote, but squared - with phantastical creatures from either Doré's/Moers' own phantasy or from myths and legends, there is a bacchanal, fights and flights, and much wit indeed.
Within the humor, there is some philosophic thoughts, too, though: the questions risen if the universe is all real or if were are just living in someone's dream, if souls do exist, and chaos theory is touched upon.
To conclude: a book that I greatly enjoyed, and made me curious for Orlando Furioso - because wow, what are all these phantastical beasts Doré created!
The title doesn't promise too much, the book indeed describes a wild nightly ride. The base story remembers of Faust, combined the Greek myth of Hercules. The young Gustave almost finds the end of his life in a sea storm, but when Death comes to take him, he offers him a deal: if he can complete six tasks, he may live on.
What follows is an absurd journey - Don Quixote, but squared - with phantastical creatures from either Doré's/Moers' own phantasy or from myths and legends, there is a bacchanal, fights and flights, and much wit indeed.
Within the humor, there is some philosophic thoughts, too, though: the questions risen if the universe is all real or if were are just living in someone's dream, if souls do exist, and chaos theory is touched upon.
To conclude: a book that I greatly enjoyed, and made me curious for Orlando Furioso - because wow, what are all these phantastical beasts Doré created!
September 29, 2017
I was actually pretty disappointed with this one. Huge fan of Walter Moers, but thought that this fell pretty short. The concept was cool, but the story itself was a bit slow, and not a lot happened. I felt like each segment was too short and yet dragged on. And I thought that Death didn't have nearly as much of a presence as a character as he could have had.
If this was your first Walter Moers book, I still recommend giving him another chance. His Zamonia tales are fantastic, and never fail to entertain. This was just a weird anomaly.
If this was your first Walter Moers book, I still recommend giving him another chance. His Zamonia tales are fantastic, and never fail to entertain. This was just a weird anomaly.
November 5, 2025
Walter Moers, autore di cui per ora ho letto solo questo libro, prende alcune meravigliose opere di Gustave Doré e ci costruisce su una storia. Non è un esercizio da poco riuscire a scrivere un racconto coerente in questo modo e Moers lo fa con ironia e grande inventiva, confezionando un racconto lungo che scorre molto velocemente.
Questo folle viaggio, da un verso, mi ha ricordato Storia vera di Samosata per la sua stravaganza e per la moltitudine di elementi messi in campo - anche se Samosata aveva un intento prettamente satirico; per altri aspetti legati alle riflessioni sulla morte e il sogno mi ha fatto venire in mente l'opera The Sandman di Gaiman. Questa storia però è molto leggera; è prettamente una curiosa avventura per ragazzi che, pur essendo molto spassosa, non l'ho trovata particolarmente incisiva. Un bel racconto, un esercizio di stile impreziosito dall'opera di Doré, ma secondo me non va molto oltre.
Questo folle viaggio, da un verso, mi ha ricordato Storia vera di Samosata per la sua stravaganza e per la moltitudine di elementi messi in campo - anche se Samosata aveva un intento prettamente satirico; per altri aspetti legati alle riflessioni sulla morte e il sogno mi ha fatto venire in mente l'opera The Sandman di Gaiman. Questa storia però è molto leggera; è prettamente una curiosa avventura per ragazzi che, pur essendo molto spassosa, non l'ho trovata particolarmente incisiva. Un bel racconto, un esercizio di stile impreziosito dall'opera di Doré, ma secondo me non va molto oltre.
May 3, 2021
Dieses Buch lag gut 10 Jahre auf meinem SuB. Damals habe ich Walter Moers' Zamonien-Romane geliebt und mir dieses Buch eigentlich nur schenken lassen, um meine Sammlung zu vervollständigen.
Moers' Idee aus den Bildern des französischen Illustrators Gustave Doré eine Geschichte zu stricken ist toll! Die Holzschnitte aus dem 19. Jahrhundert sind wunderschön anzusehen. Die Geschichte, die Moers daraus gesponnen hat, hat sicherlich ihr Publikum; ich gehöre aber leider nicht dazu. Die Story hat mich leider gar nicht mitgerissen oder interessiert. Es gab ein paar nette Stellen, die ich ganz lustig fand, aber alles in allem habe ich das Buch nur beendet, weil es so schön dünn war.
Moers' Idee aus den Bildern des französischen Illustrators Gustave Doré eine Geschichte zu stricken ist toll! Die Holzschnitte aus dem 19. Jahrhundert sind wunderschön anzusehen. Die Geschichte, die Moers daraus gesponnen hat, hat sicherlich ihr Publikum; ich gehöre aber leider nicht dazu. Die Story hat mich leider gar nicht mitgerissen oder interessiert. Es gab ein paar nette Stellen, die ich ganz lustig fand, aber alles in allem habe ich das Buch nur beendet, weil es so schön dünn war.
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December 23, 2020Das war nichts für mich, obwohl es wieder mal großartig geschrieben ist und eine geniale Story erzählt. Es geht um den jungen Gustave, der wortwörtlich dem Tod entgegenblickt, jedoch die Chance erhält, sein Leben zu retten. Dafür muss er fünf Aufgaben erfüllen, die der Tod ihm stellt (zum Beispiel eine Jungfrau vor einem feuerspeienden Drachen zu retten). Die Idee ist an und für sich nicht unbedingt neu, aber Walter Moers macht durch seine amüsanten Figuren etwas Besonderes daraus. Trotzdem habe ich das Buch nach gut 1/3 abgebrochen, weil ich gemerkt habe, dass die Geschichte nichts für mich ist und mein Interesse sich verabschiedet hat. Ich bin trotzdem der Meinung, dass es ein großartiges Buch ist und die vielen guten Bewertungen verdient hat.
August 24, 2025
Ein aberwitziges und sehr kurzweiliges Buch mit spannenden Hintergrund. Hab es an einem Wochenende verschlungen. Für Freunde des fantastischen auf jeden Fall einen "Les" wert ;)
April 29, 2025
3,5 ⭐
August 4, 2015
Als Hörbuch kam es mir noch kürzer vor :O
Aber irgendwie kam es mir auch intensiver vor. Ich liebe es bei Moers, dass man je älter man wird und je öfter man es liest, man immer mehr aus den Werken gewinnen kann. Dieser Umstand ist mir bei "Wilde Reise durch die Nacht" wieder besonders aufgefallen.
Es ist wirklich krass, wie philosophisch das Werk eigentlich ist und dabei ist es trotzdem noch so witzig :D
So viel zu entdecken in so einem kurzen Buch. Ich kann es einfach immer wieder lesen!
Nicht ganz 5 Sterne, weil es nicht mein liebstes Buch von Walter Moers ist und man natürlich nicht immer die Bilder von Doré vor Augen hat, auch wenn sie im Booklet vorhanden sind.
Überhaupt finde ich die Aufmachung des Booklets und die Gestaltung generell sehr toll!
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Weitere Rezension, die ich für die Homepage des Hörverlags verfasst habe:
Nicht bloß ein Abenteuerroman
Der 12-jährige Gustave Doré gerät mit seinem Schiff „Adventure“ Zwillingstornados in die Quere, worauf er mitsamt seines Schiffes auf den Grund des Meeres gezogen wird. Dort begegnet er dem Tod und seiner Schwester Dementia, die um sein Leben spielen. Doch der Tod gibt ihm noch eine letzte Chance, sein Leben zu retten: Gustave soll einige schier unlösbare Aufgaben erfüllen, die ihn auf die Insel der gepeinigten Jungfrauen, in einen Gespensterwald und ins All führen werden. Auf dieser wilden Reise begegnet er einem guten Freund, aber auch der Zeit und sogar schließlich sich selbst. Frage ist nur, ob das alles ausreichen wird, um den Tod schlussendlich gnädig zu stimmen…
Da ich das Buch schon mehrere Male gelesen habe, habe ich mich wahnsinnig gefreut, als ich gesehen habe, dass es auch ein Hörbuch dazu gibt, und dann auch noch gesprochen von einem meiner liebsten Hörbuchsprecher, Dirk Bach!
Meine hohen Erwartungen wurden nicht enttäuscht. Dirk Bach spricht das Hörbuch wie immer so lebhaft, dass es die Figuren, von denen man durch Dorés Bilder ohnehin schon eine konkrete Vorstellung hat, einem noch plastischer vor Augen stehen!
„Wilde Reise durch die Nacht“ ist eine sehr schnelllebige Geschichte, die ein ungeheures Tempo vorlegt, ohne jedoch zu überfordern. Man kann das Hörbuch mit seinen etwas mehr als vier Stunden problemlos zwischendurch hören, kann sich aber auch, vielleicht beim zweiten Hören, etwas mehr Zeit damit lassen, da die Geschichte doch gerade was die Themen Tod, Zeit, älter werden und die Welt an sich angeht, recht tiefgründig ist. Immer wieder werden zwischen ironischen und skurrilen Stellen ernste Töne angeschlagen.
Dennoch ist und bleibt Wilde Reise durch die Nacht ein Abenteuerroman mit viel Action und Spannung, der schnell begeistert, gleichzeitig aber auch das Genre des Abenteuerromans aufs Korn nimmt. Welche Jungfrauen zähmen denn schon Drachen oder gewinnen aus ihnen Sonnenschutzcreme?
Alles in allem ein wirklich hörenswertes Hörbuch! Da dies jedoch nicht mein Lieblingswerk von Walter Moers (meinem Lieblingsautor) ist, muss ich fair sein und nur 4 Sterne vergeben. Dennoch ist dieses Hörbuch, gerade auch dank Dirk Bach (er Ruhe in Frieden), ein kleines Meisterwerk.
Aber irgendwie kam es mir auch intensiver vor. Ich liebe es bei Moers, dass man je älter man wird und je öfter man es liest, man immer mehr aus den Werken gewinnen kann. Dieser Umstand ist mir bei "Wilde Reise durch die Nacht" wieder besonders aufgefallen.
Es ist wirklich krass, wie philosophisch das Werk eigentlich ist und dabei ist es trotzdem noch so witzig :D
So viel zu entdecken in so einem kurzen Buch. Ich kann es einfach immer wieder lesen!
Nicht ganz 5 Sterne, weil es nicht mein liebstes Buch von Walter Moers ist und man natürlich nicht immer die Bilder von Doré vor Augen hat, auch wenn sie im Booklet vorhanden sind.
Überhaupt finde ich die Aufmachung des Booklets und die Gestaltung generell sehr toll!
-----------------------------------------------
Weitere Rezension, die ich für die Homepage des Hörverlags verfasst habe:
Nicht bloß ein Abenteuerroman
Der 12-jährige Gustave Doré gerät mit seinem Schiff „Adventure“ Zwillingstornados in die Quere, worauf er mitsamt seines Schiffes auf den Grund des Meeres gezogen wird. Dort begegnet er dem Tod und seiner Schwester Dementia, die um sein Leben spielen. Doch der Tod gibt ihm noch eine letzte Chance, sein Leben zu retten: Gustave soll einige schier unlösbare Aufgaben erfüllen, die ihn auf die Insel der gepeinigten Jungfrauen, in einen Gespensterwald und ins All führen werden. Auf dieser wilden Reise begegnet er einem guten Freund, aber auch der Zeit und sogar schließlich sich selbst. Frage ist nur, ob das alles ausreichen wird, um den Tod schlussendlich gnädig zu stimmen…
Da ich das Buch schon mehrere Male gelesen habe, habe ich mich wahnsinnig gefreut, als ich gesehen habe, dass es auch ein Hörbuch dazu gibt, und dann auch noch gesprochen von einem meiner liebsten Hörbuchsprecher, Dirk Bach!
Meine hohen Erwartungen wurden nicht enttäuscht. Dirk Bach spricht das Hörbuch wie immer so lebhaft, dass es die Figuren, von denen man durch Dorés Bilder ohnehin schon eine konkrete Vorstellung hat, einem noch plastischer vor Augen stehen!
„Wilde Reise durch die Nacht“ ist eine sehr schnelllebige Geschichte, die ein ungeheures Tempo vorlegt, ohne jedoch zu überfordern. Man kann das Hörbuch mit seinen etwas mehr als vier Stunden problemlos zwischendurch hören, kann sich aber auch, vielleicht beim zweiten Hören, etwas mehr Zeit damit lassen, da die Geschichte doch gerade was die Themen Tod, Zeit, älter werden und die Welt an sich angeht, recht tiefgründig ist. Immer wieder werden zwischen ironischen und skurrilen Stellen ernste Töne angeschlagen.
Dennoch ist und bleibt Wilde Reise durch die Nacht ein Abenteuerroman mit viel Action und Spannung, der schnell begeistert, gleichzeitig aber auch das Genre des Abenteuerromans aufs Korn nimmt. Welche Jungfrauen zähmen denn schon Drachen oder gewinnen aus ihnen Sonnenschutzcreme?
Alles in allem ein wirklich hörenswertes Hörbuch! Da dies jedoch nicht mein Lieblingswerk von Walter Moers (meinem Lieblingsautor) ist, muss ich fair sein und nur 4 Sterne vergeben. Dennoch ist dieses Hörbuch, gerade auch dank Dirk Bach (er Ruhe in Frieden), ein kleines Meisterwerk.
September 18, 2015
A grand book. Part Pratchett, part Twain, part Bradbury, though slightly more subtle in his own way, Moers really keeps it going.
It really was a wild ride, full of fantastic allusions and an amazing sense of humor. Will definitely re-read next year, and the year after, and the year after that.
What I found truly remarkable was the ease with which Moers approached and dealt with many fundamental questions, wherever they sprouted during this adventure. Hell, he seemed absolutely logical in a remarkably illogical way- a rare skill, and one which I absolutely appreciate.
Would recommend to everyone, especially parents who want to get their children started with creepy bedtime stories so that they may one day grow up to become awesome, if not a bit deranged-in-a-cute-way, adults.
Best two quotes:
"You're a servant of Death?"
" Aren't we all?" (recurring numerous times)
(The monster Anxiety, speaking to Gustave)
"But before you go, didn't you wonder, while listening to my story, whether there was some kind of point to it?"
"Oh I enjoyed it anyway, point or no point"
"That's good, because there wasn't one".
GO AND BUY THAT BOOK. YOU NEED IT.
It really was a wild ride, full of fantastic allusions and an amazing sense of humor. Will definitely re-read next year, and the year after, and the year after that.
What I found truly remarkable was the ease with which Moers approached and dealt with many fundamental questions, wherever they sprouted during this adventure. Hell, he seemed absolutely logical in a remarkably illogical way- a rare skill, and one which I absolutely appreciate.
Would recommend to everyone, especially parents who want to get their children started with creepy bedtime stories so that they may one day grow up to become awesome, if not a bit deranged-in-a-cute-way, adults.
Best two quotes:
"You're a servant of Death?"
" Aren't we all?" (recurring numerous times)
(The monster Anxiety, speaking to Gustave)
"But before you go, didn't you wonder, while listening to my story, whether there was some kind of point to it?"
"Oh I enjoyed it anyway, point or no point"
"That's good, because there wasn't one".
GO AND BUY THAT BOOK. YOU NEED IT.
April 8, 2021
I guess I already read this in February 2009 and gave it 5 stars?! Wow, I'm slipping. I don't remember that. Anyway below is a review of my reading experience of this book from Tuesday April 6th 2021.
A fun way to spend an evening. At only 197 pages it's clearly not as immersive as Moers' other massive books (Rumo, 13 and 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear) but it's still very imaginative and adventurous. Moers is often compared to Douglas Adams and Shel Silverstein which is valid, but I'd also throw Lewis Carroll in there as well. And you just can't go wrong with the Gustav Dore illustrations. If you're like me and after finishing this book you still find yourself with an hour before you're ready to plop on the couch and watch TV and eat chocolate chip ice cream you can just pour over those incredible illustrations. Good times. 4 stars this go around.
A fun way to spend an evening. At only 197 pages it's clearly not as immersive as Moers' other massive books (Rumo, 13 and 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear) but it's still very imaginative and adventurous. Moers is often compared to Douglas Adams and Shel Silverstein which is valid, but I'd also throw Lewis Carroll in there as well. And you just can't go wrong with the Gustav Dore illustrations. If you're like me and after finishing this book you still find yourself with an hour before you're ready to plop on the couch and watch TV and eat chocolate chip ice cream you can just pour over those incredible illustrations. Good times. 4 stars this go around.
October 23, 2008
What a nice break from the GRE Lit Test books I have been reading for the last four months. The book itself is a very cool concept; Moers took 21 of Gustave Dore's illustrations and used them to craft his own plot.
While the other books I've read by Moers really could be described as "children's books for grown-ups," this was a children's book for children. I'll enjoy passing this book on to my kid...about ten years from now.
While the other books I've read by Moers really could be described as "children's books for grown-ups," this was a children's book for children. I'll enjoy passing this book on to my kid...about ten years from now.
August 30, 2010
More like an imaginative experiment than a novel. I enjoy W.M.'s writing, "The City of Dreaming Books" was a riot. My favorite part of this one was the scene with The Last Jellyfish - very amusing. If this book had been any longer I wouldn't have liked it, but it was just long enough to keep my interest.
April 5, 2020
Sorprendente
August 25, 2022
Mein erster Moers – bewusst kein Roman aus Zamonien, da ich zu dieser Welt bisher keinen Zugang gefunden habe. »Wilde Reise durch die Nacht« hat mich allerdings so überzeugt, dass ich den anderen Werken eine Chance geben werde.
Das Besondere liegt im Konzept: Die Geschichte orientiert sich an (echten) Zeichnungen von Gustave Doré, einem der erfolgreichsten Illustratoren des 19. Jahrhunderts. Klingt erstmal gar nicht so spannend, ist es aber sehr wohl: Zum einen liefert die Darstellung durch Moers eine penible Bildbeschreibung der Zeichnungen, die jedoch nicht sachlich daherkommt, sondern zur Geschichte gehört. Eine gelungene Kombination aus aktiver und passiver Auseinandersetzung mit dem Werk von Doré. Zum anderen möchte man natürlich wissen, für welche Titel die Illustrationen ursprünglich erstellt wurden – und so öffnet sich eine noch viel größere Welt. Nicht zuletzt mit Vertreter:innen wie Edgar Allan Poe, Balzac, Victor Hugo, Dante oder Juliette Adam (unter anderem eine französische Frauenrechtlerin).
Aus dem Archiv zahlreicher Zeichnungen entsteht etwas gänzlich Neues, das trotz der phantastischen Überformung durch die Geschichte historischen Anspruch wahrt. Erzählt wird eine Art Biographie des Zeichners, die so natürlich nie stattfinden konnte, aber realexistierende Ankerpunkte verwendet. Dieser Roman ist ein gelungenes Beispiel für den Unterschied zwischen fiktiver und fiktionaler Kunst.
Definitiv empfehlenswert für alle, die den Charme des 19. Jahrhunderts erleben und eine phantastisch-düstere Reise verfolgen wollen. Stets mit dem Ziel, dem Tod zu entkommen – wie der Doré im tatsächlichen Leben, der durch die Aufarbeitung dank Moers nicht stirbt.
Das Besondere liegt im Konzept: Die Geschichte orientiert sich an (echten) Zeichnungen von Gustave Doré, einem der erfolgreichsten Illustratoren des 19. Jahrhunderts. Klingt erstmal gar nicht so spannend, ist es aber sehr wohl: Zum einen liefert die Darstellung durch Moers eine penible Bildbeschreibung der Zeichnungen, die jedoch nicht sachlich daherkommt, sondern zur Geschichte gehört. Eine gelungene Kombination aus aktiver und passiver Auseinandersetzung mit dem Werk von Doré. Zum anderen möchte man natürlich wissen, für welche Titel die Illustrationen ursprünglich erstellt wurden – und so öffnet sich eine noch viel größere Welt. Nicht zuletzt mit Vertreter:innen wie Edgar Allan Poe, Balzac, Victor Hugo, Dante oder Juliette Adam (unter anderem eine französische Frauenrechtlerin).
Aus dem Archiv zahlreicher Zeichnungen entsteht etwas gänzlich Neues, das trotz der phantastischen Überformung durch die Geschichte historischen Anspruch wahrt. Erzählt wird eine Art Biographie des Zeichners, die so natürlich nie stattfinden konnte, aber realexistierende Ankerpunkte verwendet. Dieser Roman ist ein gelungenes Beispiel für den Unterschied zwischen fiktiver und fiktionaler Kunst.
Definitiv empfehlenswert für alle, die den Charme des 19. Jahrhunderts erleben und eine phantastisch-düstere Reise verfolgen wollen. Stets mit dem Ziel, dem Tod zu entkommen – wie der Doré im tatsächlichen Leben, der durch die Aufarbeitung dank Moers nicht stirbt.
September 11, 2021
I need to specify that I'm 5 staring specifically the Audiobook of of AWRTtN. I was going to put it down early on because...it was nice and all but it was a kid's book and I was grumpy...but the reader started doing the mythical characters the boy-hero encountered so damned FUNNY...halfway through I was as enraptured as if I wasn't hardened and old and over-educated. And guys, afterward I looked and it was Bronson Pinchot. Dude that's BALKI. He's got some freakin' RANGE. He was Mel Blanc level fantastic at inhabiting each and every wonderful weirdo in this book.
Also for the record, if you ARE over-educated, you'll like this on another level. The little boy-hero in the book is Gustave Dore. You don't know his name but you've seen his art. He illustrated...EVERYTHING in the 19th century. All the famous stuff that's still around to today, The Bible to The Raven..Mores gave free reign to what this prolific genius' young head must have been full of.
If you liked the sweet strange cartoon series "Over the Garden Wall" you'll enjoy this. A tiny knight errant on an adventure with Death and monsters and giants and geology and humor and sweetness.
*I didn't know Mores was a graphic artist, nor the significance of Gustave Dore when I listened to this. I tried to download the graphics PDF as an afterthought. It didn't load, so I missed I think, a LOT of cool pictures. But even without them this audiobook is five stars for comfort and fun.
Also for the record, if you ARE over-educated, you'll like this on another level. The little boy-hero in the book is Gustave Dore. You don't know his name but you've seen his art. He illustrated...EVERYTHING in the 19th century. All the famous stuff that's still around to today, The Bible to The Raven..Mores gave free reign to what this prolific genius' young head must have been full of.
If you liked the sweet strange cartoon series "Over the Garden Wall" you'll enjoy this. A tiny knight errant on an adventure with Death and monsters and giants and geology and humor and sweetness.
*I didn't know Mores was a graphic artist, nor the significance of Gustave Dore when I listened to this. I tried to download the graphics PDF as an afterthought. It didn't load, so I missed I think, a LOT of cool pictures. But even without them this audiobook is five stars for comfort and fun.
January 3, 2025
Der einzige Roman, von Moers, der nicht in Zamonien spielt. Sondern in seiner ganz eigenen Welt.
Wilde Reise durch die Nacht habe ich nun zum dritten mal gelesen, und es bleibt so gut, wie es die ersten Male war. Moers beweist hier, wie phantasievoll er schreiben kann, und manchmal auch mit sehr überraschenden und amüsanten Wendungen versehen. Auch, wenn man sagen muss, dass dieses Buch schon stelleweise sehr vorhersehbar ist. Oder geht's mir nur so, weil ich es zum dritten mal gelesen habe?
Wer weiß. Es ist und bleibt eins der Meisterwerke von ihm, und jede:r sollte es mal gelesen haben!
Wilde Reise durch die Nacht habe ich nun zum dritten mal gelesen, und es bleibt so gut, wie es die ersten Male war. Moers beweist hier, wie phantasievoll er schreiben kann, und manchmal auch mit sehr überraschenden und amüsanten Wendungen versehen. Auch, wenn man sagen muss, dass dieses Buch schon stelleweise sehr vorhersehbar ist. Oder geht's mir nur so, weil ich es zum dritten mal gelesen habe?
Wer weiß. Es ist und bleibt eins der Meisterwerke von ihm, und jede:r sollte es mal gelesen haben!
April 23, 2017
This was very quick to read, but it was still magical. Solid three stars.
November 30, 2017
A very fun book, I can't wait for my boys to be old enough to read it to.
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