Mortimer Folchart facts for kids

Mortimer "Mo" Folchart is a fictional character from Cornelia Funke's popular Inkheart book series. He works as a bookbinder, which means he fixes and creates books. Mo has a very special ability: he can bring characters from stories to life just by reading aloud! Because of this, people often call him "Silvertongue."

Mo has a daughter named Meggie, who shares his unique talent. His wife, Resa, was once pulled into the Inkheart book itself and spent years there. In the Inkheart movie, the actor Brendan Fraser plays Mo. Cornelia Funke, the author, has even said she imagined Fraser as Mo while writing the books! Fraser also provides the voice for the Inkheart audiobooks.

Mo's Amazing Adventures

Mo's Story in the Books

In the first book, Inkheart, Mo lives in a small house with his daughter, Meggie. One night, a mysterious character named Dustfinger arrives. He warns Mo about a dangerous villain named Capricorn. Mo and Meggie quickly go to Elinor's house, where Mo hides the special book, Inkheart.

Soon, Capricorn's men capture Mo and take him to Capricorn's village. There, Mo is reunited with Meggie and Elinor. Luckily, Dustfinger helps them escape. They then go to find Fenoglio, who is the author of the Inkheart book.

Mo returns to Capricorn's village again, only to discover Meggie has been captured. At the end of the book, Mo bravely helps Meggie. He finishes Fenoglio's words, which causes Capricorn to disappear. Mortola, another character, sees this and promises to get revenge on Mo. After these adventures, Mo is finally reunited with Resa, his wife. They then go to live with Elinor.

In the second book, Inkspell, Mo, Resa, and Meggie are living happily at Elinor's house. However, Mo and Meggie often argue about Meggie's growing interest in the Inkworld. Mo leaves for a week to fix some old books. But he is soon called back by a worried Meggie. Farid, a character from the Inkworld, arrives and warns them about Basta. Mo decides to rush home that night.

Mo becomes very upset when Meggie accidentally reads Farid and herself into the Inkworld. In the middle of the panic, Basta, Mortola, and Orpheus burst in. Mortola is still determined to get revenge on Mo for Capricorn's disappearance. She decides to take Mo to the Inkworld, believing Capricorn is still alive there. So, Orpheus reads Resa, Mo, Basta, and the Magpie into the book.

Once they arrive in the Inkworld, it is clear that Capricorn is truly gone. In her anger, Mortola seriously injures Mo. Resa stays by his side. A kind moss woman finds them and takes them to a secret camp of traveling performers called the strolling players. Mo develops a high fever and is often visited by mysterious white women. The players believe Mo is the Bluejay, a legendary master thief. Because of this, Sootbird betrays them to the Adderhead, a powerful and cruel ruler.

Upon arriving at the Adderhead's castle, Mo is locked in a tower to recover. The Adderhead plans a special, terrible execution for him. Meggie arrives and convinces the Adderhead that Mo can create a book of immortality for him. After the book is made, Mo makes a deal: the book in return for the prisoners' freedom. The Adderhead agrees.

After getting the book, the Adderhead writes Firefox's name in it and asks Mo to end Firefox's life. Mo refuses. Once Mo is allowed to leave, he picks up Firefox's sword. On the journey to meet the outlaws, they are ambushed. Mo fights bravely and defeats Basta. Back in the mines, the Black Prince gives Mo the Bluejay mask, accepting him as the legendary thief.