Dragon Rider (novel)
A children's novel about a dragon's quest for a safe haven.
Dragon Rider (German: *Drachenreiter*) is a 1997 children's novel by German author Cornelia Funke. The story follows a young silver dragon named Firedrake, a catlike brownie called Sorrel, and an orphaned human boy, Ben, as they journey to the Himalayas in search of a legendary dragon refuge known as the Rim of Heaven. Firedrake sets out after learning that humans plan to flood the valley where he and his fellow dragons live. In the end, all the dragons relocate except for an elderly dragon named Slatebeard. The novel was first translated into English by Oliver Latsch, but the 2004 English edition—published by The Chicken House in the UK and Scholastic Inc. in the US—used a translation by Anthea Bell. After its English release, the book became a major success, spending 78 weeks on *The New York Times* Best Seller list and reaching number one on the Children's Best-Seller list. A sequel, *Dragon Rider: The Griffin's Feather*, was published in 2017, and a feature film adaptation of the same name came out in 2020.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Cornelia Funke
- Language
- German
- Country
- Germany
- Genre
- Children's, High Fantasy
- Publisher
- Dressler
- Isbn
- 3-7915-0454-1
- Title Orig
- Drachenreiter
- Translator
- Oliver Latsch (2000), Anthea Bell (2004)
- Cover Artist
- Don Seegmiller
- Release Date
- 1997
- English Pub Date
- September 2000
- Media Type
- Print (Paperback)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story begins with Firedrake, a young dragon living in a hidden valley in Scotland with other dragons. When humans plan to flood the valley, Firedrake sets out with guidance from the eldest dragon, Slatebeard, to find the Rim of Heaven. He travels with his friend Sorrel, a forest brownie, and they meet Ben, an orphaned boy, in a city. They enlist the help of Gilbert Graytail, a rat mapmaker, who provides a map to the Himalayas. Along the way, they encounter dwarves, a basilisk in Egypt, and a scientist named Professor Greenbloom. They also learn of Nettlebrand, the Golden One, a dragon-like monster who hunts and eats dragons, and his servant Twigleg the Homunculus.
Reader's Guide
The novel's significance lies in its widespread popularity, particularly after its English translation, which propelled it to the top of bestseller lists. The story explores themes of friendship, courage, and the search for a safe home, appealing to young readers. Its legacy includes a sequel published in 2017 and a feature film adaptation released in 2020. The book's success helped cement Cornelia Funke's reputation as a leading author of children's fantasy literature. The narrative's blend of mythical creatures, adventure, and moral lessons has made it a enduring favorite among audiences.
Did You Know?
- The novel remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for 78 weeks.
- The first English translation was by Oliver Latsch; the 2004 edition used a translation by Anthea Bell and was published by The Chicken House in the UK and Scholastic Inc. in the US.
- A feature film adaptation of the same name was released in 2020.
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