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Product Description
Product Description
One of the most successful and beloved of Victorian fairy tales, George Macdonald’s The Princess and the Goblin tells the story of young Princess Irene and her friend Curdie, who must outwit the threatening goblins who live in caves beneath her mountain home. Macdonald’s pioneering use of fanstasy as a literary medium had a great influence on Lewis Carroll, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L’Engle, all great admirers of his work, which has remained popular to this day. "I write, not for children," he wrote, "but for the child-like, whether they be of five, or fifty, or seventy-five."
This edition includes illustrations by Arthur Hughes.
This edition includes illustrations by Arthur Hughes.
About the Author
George Macdonald (1824-1905) was born at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where his father was a miller and his family Congregationalists. As a young man he was ordained a minister of the Congregational church but he resigned after a disagreement with his deacons over doctrine, and from 1853 he earned his living by lecturing and writing, often in poor health, which meant periodic travelling in search of purer air for his lungs. In 1851 he married Louisa Powell, with whom he spent a long and happy life, sadly ending in grief when three of his thirteen children died of tuberculosis and he suffered a stroke that deprived him of speech for his last five years.
He was a prolific writer, yet it is his fantasies for children that have survived. The Princess and the Goblin was the second of these, published first as a serial in Good Words for the Young, a periodical of which he became editor for a short time in 1869. About a hundred years later W.H. Auden wrote, 'To me, George MacDonald's most extraordinary, and precious, gift is his ability, in all his stories, to create an atmosphere of goodness about which there is nothing phone or moralistic. Nothing is rarer in literature.'
He was a prolific writer, yet it is his fantasies for children that have survived. The Princess and the Goblin was the second of these, published first as a serial in Good Words for the Young, a periodical of which he became editor for a short time in 1869. About a hundred years later W.H. Auden wrote, 'To me, George MacDonald's most extraordinary, and precious, gift is his ability, in all his stories, to create an atmosphere of goodness about which there is nothing phone or moralistic. Nothing is rarer in literature.'
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Forgotten fairy tales,
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Princess and the Goblin (Hardcover)
It's a credit to "Princess and the Goblin" that its author was a personal favorite (and shaping influence) to fantasy titans C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Fortunately, George MacDonald's early fantasy tale is a story that can easily stand on its own -- it's a mixture of shimmering magic and dark grimy bleakness, written in lushly fantastical prose. The childlike princess can be a little annoying at times, but otherwise this book is a gem.Little Princess Irene has always been kept in ignorance of the goblins by her overprotective father and nursemaid. But one night when she and her nursemaid stay out a bit too late, they are chased by a bizarre creature... only to be rescued by a young miner boy, Curdie. Since goblins are a job hazard for the miners, Curdie tells her about the goblins and how to scare them away. But not even singing can fend off the problems that are brewing. While mining, Curdie ends up wandering into the underground caverns where the goblins dwell, and uncovers a horrifying plot to take control of the above-ground kingdom. Meanwhile, Irene explores a mysterious tower where her magical "great-grandmother" lives, and is sent on a magical quest that leads her to Curdie... but can two children stop a goblin invasion? "The Princess and the Goblin" is one of those novels that feels like someone dug up an old forgotten fairy tale, polished it and released it on the world -- we have goblins, monsters, a humble young hero, a brave princess and a magical goddess-like figure who bestows magical items every now and then. MacDonald balances it all out nicely, and there's a freshness to his story that steers it away from cliches. And he wrote in the stately, slightly distant way that most 19th-century authors did, with the one flaw being that things get a little twee at times. But that's a small price to play for the lush, exquisitely dreamlike flavor of some of the scenes, such as Irene's visits to her grandmother, in a starlit tower filled with doves and moonlit burning roses. And at the same time, he weaves in some stuff about the goblins that is purely nightmarish, such as Curdie being chased through the horrendous undergrown caverns. Similarly, it's a credit to him that the characters of Curdie and Irene are as likable as they are. Irene in particular is a triumph, since she can be a twit at times -- but she slowly grows in strength and independence as the book winds on. Curdie is the yang to Irene's yin, as a down-to-earth miner who has to stem a goblin invasion, and Irene's grandmother... well, we're never quite sure what she is. But she's depicted as being imposing, beautiful and kind, if inexplicably removed from the events of the story. Part fable and part-fairy tale, and populated with goblins, miners and magical grandmothers, "The Princess and the Goblin" is an enchanting prelude to the modern fantasy genre. Definitely worth checking out.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews) 42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
For those who love Fairy Tales,
By Franklin Waters - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
I have not written any reviews before but I felt that the works of George MacDonald deserved reviews to bring the works of this forgotten genius back to the light of day. Especially as you can get many of them for free on your kindle. It must first be understood that George MacDonald inspired such authors as J.R.R. Tolkien, W.H. Auden, Madeline L'Engle and E. Nesbit. C.S. Lewis regarded him as his master. If you are a fan of these authors then you might want to seriously consider exploring the works of one who inspired them.To me the Princess and the Goblin is a fairy tale. Unlike most fairy tales that are stories passed down through the ages George MacDonald wrote this one in 1872. While I have no doubt that he took many things from legend and lore and fairy tales it is nonetheless his own tale. In reading this story I felt that I was a child again reading a wondrous story where anything could happen. MacDonald knows magic and weaves magic in his tale. He also knows how Faerie and the realms of Faerie works. Having been a fan of Tolkien most of my life I have read many of his essays on the realm and I recognize the strange laws of the realm that are difficult to put down to paper but you recognize them even if you can't communicate them yourself. The story flows quickly and is lively as it revolves around the adventures of a little girl, the Princess Irene and at times the humble honest and wise miner boy Curdie. As they have their misadventures with the Goblins under the mountain you become aware of the guidance of Irene's mysterious and magical Great-Great Grandmother who wields a powerful yet subtle magic. She never takes a direct hand in things in this story but like a Fairy Godmother constantly helps Irene to help herself. The story is simply delightful. Like a fairy tale from old there are many morals that are illustrated and one is shown the ways of right and wrong. This might turn some people off but I like the fact that MacDonald doesn't beat one about the heads and shoulders with his display of virtues and vices. I feel he keeps just the right measure in his storytelling. After all fairy tales were meant to educate the young in the ways of right and wrong though many have forgotten this. Many books written by Victorian authors during the Victorian Age can sometimes be a difficult read as they used the language somewhat differently than we do today. I felt that MacDonald wrote clearly and I didn't really have to struggle with anything though his turn of phrases were of course different from modern ones. So for anyone who loves fairy tales and feels that they have read them and despair that there are no more to read I invite you to read this lost treasure. 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Forgotten fairy tales,
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Princess and the Goblin (Hardcover)
It's a credit to "Princess and the Goblin" that its author was a personal favorite (and shaping influence) to fantasy titans C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Fortunately, George MacDonald's early fantasy tale is a story that can easily stand on its own -- it's a mixture of shimmering magic and dark grimy bleakness, written in lushly fantastical prose. The childlike princess can be a little annoying at times, but otherwise this book is a gem.Little Princess Irene has always been kept in ignorance of the goblins by her overprotective father and nursemaid. But one night when she and her nursemaid stay out a bit too late, they are chased by a bizarre creature... only to be rescued by a young miner boy, Curdie. Since goblins are a job hazard for the miners, Curdie tells her about the goblins and how to scare them away. But not even singing can fend off the problems that are brewing. While mining, Curdie ends up wandering into the underground caverns where the goblins dwell, and uncovers a horrifying plot to take control of the above-ground kingdom. Meanwhile, Irene explores a mysterious tower where her magical "great-grandmother" lives, and is sent on a magical quest that leads her to Curdie... but can two children stop a goblin invasion? "The Princess and the Goblin" is one of those novels that feels like someone dug up an old forgotten fairy tale, polished it and released it on the world -- we have goblins, monsters, a humble young hero, a brave princess and a magical goddess-like figure who bestows magical items every now and then. MacDonald balances it all out nicely, and there's a freshness to his story that steers it away from cliches. And he wrote in the stately, slightly distant way that most 19th-century authors did, with the one flaw being that things get a little twee at times. But that's a small price to play for the lush, exquisitely dreamlike flavor of some of the scenes, such as Irene's visits to her grandmother, in a starlit tower filled with doves and moonlit burning roses. And at the same time, he weaves in some stuff about the goblins that is purely nightmarish, such as Curdie being chased through the horrendous undergrown caverns. Similarly, it's a credit to him that the characters of Curdie and Irene are as likable as they are. Irene in particular is a triumph, since she can be a twit at times -- but she slowly grows in strength and independence as the book winds on. Curdie is the yang to Irene's yin, as a down-to-earth miner who has to stem a goblin invasion, and Irene's grandmother... well, we're never quite sure what she is. But she's depicted as being imposing, beautiful and kind, if inexplicably removed from the events of the story. Part fable and part-fairy tale, and populated with goblins, miners and magical grandmothers, "The Princess and the Goblin" is an enchanting prelude to the modern fantasy genre. Definitely worth checking out. 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless fairy tale,
By Working Mom "Working Mom" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
I much prefer Sci-fi to fairy tales and downloaded this to see if the kids would like it. THis book was written over 100 years ago but it is very understandable and engaging. I was very pleasantly surprised and unable to stop reading until I had finished the book. Although there are some aspects of fairy tales, the books characters and plot feel original.Young Princess Irene is a typical little girl, very curious and precocious with a big heart, although being a princess, she does not lie and is well-behaved. She makes friends with a miner boy who saves her from the goblins when she accidently stays out too late, but can he save her from their plot to kidnap her? After reading this, I am surprised that I had never before heard of George MacDonald. I will be reading more of his works. |
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