Pan's Labyrinth: Book

Pan's Labyrinth: Book

Pan's Labyrinth: Book

Pan's Labyrinth is the literary adaptation of the homonymous film directed by the Mexican and Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro. The book was written by German author Cornelia Funke. The work was published in Spanish by the publisher alfaguara in 2019, and features glossy editions featuring concept art from the source material.

The idea of ​​taking a film to the literary format is unusual; however, the award-winning young adult and children's fantasy writer Cornelia Funke made it possible through a dreamlike, simple and subtle language that faithfully represents the elements printed in the film, and that, in turn, can be enjoyed by a general public.

Synopsis of Pan's Labyrinth

the prologue

Pan's Labyrinth begins with the story of Moanna, the princess of the underground kingdom. The young heiress was fascinated by the world of humans, by their customs and creations. One day, no more, He disappeared in the mortal realm and abandoned his people and his parents. Her father, saddened, searched tirelessly for her with the help of one of her most faithful servants; however, she died in the land of men.

The king —who loved his daughter above all things— did not give up and persisted in finding her, even knowing of her death. I wait her, because he knew that Moanna's soul was immortal, and that no matter what time, place, or body she took, her daughter would return home. The only problem with her was that, after years of inhabiting the mortal world, the princess could have lost her purity, and that would prevent her from entering the underworld.

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The encounter with the personification of the forest

Ofelia was a thirteen year old girl he was heading to a forest north of Spain with his pregnant mother. they were in the middle of the Francoist war, in 1944. The young girl's father had died a year earlier, and her mother, a woman of fragile character and health, decided to marry Captain Vidal, an evil man who hated the forest and who, more than anything, wanted to win the war and be honored with the son that Carmen Cardoso now carried in her womb.

In this gloomy atmosphere of war fighting, while Ofelia adapted to a grayer world full of evils, the girl set out to explore. During his stay in the Vidal countryside he met some bad people, and some good ones.

At some point he followed a mysterious insect that led her into a vast and ancient labyrinth. Over there it was found with a mythical being known as The faunWho told her that she was princess reincarnation Moana.

the 3 tests

The faun she told Ofelia that her parents and the inhabitants of her kingdom had been looking forward to her for a long time; however, she could not return to the underworld until she proved that she was worthy to return. that's when He tells her that she will have to undergo three tests to prove her worth and her purity. Each crusade was designed to ensure that the essence of the princess remained intact.

While going through the campaigns imposed by the faun —which became more risky as the plot progressed—, the reality in which Ofelia was forced to live presents multiple shadows. On the one hand, the condition of his mother was critical, on the other, Vidal's constant clashes with the resistance make him more impatient every month.

All tests confronted by Ofelia have effects visible in the world of the living.

Main characters

Ofelia

It is about an intelligent girl who loves literature. Ofelia is a lover of fairy tales and Fantastic stories, and does everything in his power to protect those he loves.

The faun

The faun is a creature of a neutral character. Unlike humans, it is not shaped by concepts like good or evil. Also known as Pan, he becomes the one who guides Ofelia through the tests required to return to the underworld.

Mercedes

Mercedes is the housekeeper of the capital Vidal. At the same time, is part of the anti-Franco resistance like his brother. Mercedes falls in love with Ofelia immediately, and she fulfills a role similar to that of her mother while the girl is in the countryside.

Captain Vidal

Vidal is an easygoing, cruel and sadistic gentleman. This man does not feel love for Ofelia or for his mother —despite the fact that she is going to give him a child. The captain only wants to have an heir and get rid of the liberals.

Differences between the book and the movie

Funke's book is nearly identical to Guillermo del Toro's source material.. In fact, the author trusted that the film director granted her creative licenses to change or add scenes as she saw fit; however, the German writer did not change anything essential.

The only great contribution is related to small chapters that explain the stories of magical creatures. Such is the case of The Pale Man or the Fairies. Likewise, Funke adds background to already known characters.

About the author, Cornelia Funke

Cornelia funke

Cornelia funke

Cornelia Funke was born in 1958, in Dorsten, Germany. She graduated in pedagogy and illustration. Subsequently, She worked as a cartoonist and illustrator for children's stories. The author always felt very close to childrenTherefore, after working as a social worker for abandoned children, she was inspired by them to write fairy tales.

Funke is a writer of children's and young adult literature. His books address topics such as magic, fantasy and the friendship. She is known for being the author of works such as ink trilogy —whose first volume, Ink heart, was made into a movie in 2008. This title is followed by Ink blood /2005), and ink death (2008)

Other books by Cornelia Funke

  • stone meat (2010);
  • living shadows (2012);
  • The golden thread (2015);
  • Hugo after an icy track (Gespensterjäger auf eisiger Spur, 2002);
  • Hugo in the castle of terror (Gespensterjäger in der Gruselburg, 2002);
  • Hugo trapped in the swamp (2003);
  • Hugo and the pillar of fire (2003);
  • Las Gallinas Locas 1. A cool gang (2005);
  • Las Gallinas Locas 2. A surprise trip (2005);
  • The Crazy Chickens 3. The fox is coming! (2006);
  • Crazy Chickens 4. The secret of happiness (2006);
  • The Crazy Hens 5. The Crazy Hens and love (2007)

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