Jim Bouton et les terribles 13

The book feels both exciting and funny, but I wonder how Ende chose to blend these tones without one overshadowing the other. Did he aim for a specific emotional rhythm?

The whimsical world and simple yet profound themes really took me back to childhood. I'm curious if others felt a similar nostalgic pull or if it resonated differently.

The pirates are so memorable and distinct, almost like caricatures. I wonder if Ende based them on any classic pirate stories or created them entirely from his imagination.