The Neverending Story 1 & 2: Mr Coreander

Before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, my earliest pipe-smoking influence was the character of Mr. Coreander (Carl Conrad Coreander), from The Neverending Story (1984), based on the book by Michael Ende.
Often described as a cantankerous seller of rare books, Mr. Coreander has visited the living rooms of several generations, with The Neverending Story being one of the most beloved films of the 1980s.
As a child, I still remember thinking that Mr. Coreander was some sort of wizard as he turned to face Bastian in his wingback chair, shrouded in smoke, with a pipe of burning tobacco in hand.
This odd and sometimes creepy character has fascinated fans of the fantasy genre for decades. I did not recognize his use of reverse psychology when I was a child, as he intentionally manipulates Bastian into taking the book - "The Neverending Story".
Was Mr. Coreander the true villain of the film? Was he a wise intellectual? Or was he a tired old man who needed Bastian to take up his mantle of protecting the book, thereby saving the hopes, dreams, and imaginations of humanity? The debate continues...
Whether you loved him or hated him, Mr. Coreander's mystique will continue to fascinate both readers and movie addicts alike!