this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2025
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I read the book (as a kid) and didn't get that from it at all, but that sort of subtlety would have gone over my head. I'll have to read it again if I can bring myself to do it.
I do remember seeing the movie after reading the book and being pretty annoyed as the movie only covers about the first half.
Well, do you recall how fulfilling the wishes demands a sacrifice of Bastian's memories and self?
One might alternatively phrase that as wish fulfillment, if one was tricky writer sort.
One might also note that the Story demands Bastian pass it on to another child if he wants his own memories back. Once he realizes he is not willing to give up his last memories of his father.
Passing to a new host once it has drained Bastian of what it wants and his defenses prevent it from gaining more, as it were.
A successful parasite is not one that kills its host, after all, it's one that spreads and grows.
And then it evolves and spreads to a new, American movie going population where that message isn't profitable so it just becomes a standard chosen one story.
Honestly no I don't recall any of that, but to be fair I read the book around 30 years ago. Yes I'm old. Your points have intrigued me though and I'm going to have to find my old copy and read it again.