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ftrebelo's review against another edition
4.0
Although MacDonald returns to many of the same characters from [b: The Princess and the Goblin|444381|The Princess and the Goblin (Princess Irene and Curdie #1)|George MacDonald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348689290s/444381.jpg|3193161], this book shifts tone and is much more conscious of being allegorical. Curdie is given a vague quest where his faith tested several times, and he is given the gift to tell from people's hands whether they are becoming beasts.
Reading it directly after [b: The Princess and the Goblin|444381|The Princess and the Goblin (Princess Irene and Curdie #1)|George MacDonald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348689290s/444381.jpg|3193161] made the difference between the two all the more apparent, but overall I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of George MacDonald.
Reading it directly after [b: The Princess and the Goblin|444381|The Princess and the Goblin (Princess Irene and Curdie #1)|George MacDonald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348689290s/444381.jpg|3193161] made the difference between the two all the more apparent, but overall I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of George MacDonald.
cljohnson8's review against another edition
3.0
I had to switch to the audio book for this one. Beautiful but lacking. Perhaps because I didn't read the prequel.
dullshimmer's review against another edition
3.0
The Princess and the Goblin wasn't my favorite book, but I did enjoy the story and the world it presented. The Princess and Curdie is the sequel to that book, but despite the characters being the same the book feels very different in terms of tone and even in terms of continuity from the first book. So let's look at what I think is the good, the bad, and the mixed from this book.
The Good
A Boy and His Dog(?) Against the Kingdom - One of my critiques of the first book was that there seemed to be little done by way of planning and the plot moved mainly by the great-grandmother of Irene using a bit of magic. Curdie or Irene were usually involved, but things didn't really happen due to their actions. This book changes that. Curdie and his faithful dog/person/creature thing do a lot of the work in setting things up here. Of course there is still magic afoot, but it felt that Curdie and his planning actually moved things along.
Nightmarish Creatures of Good - One thing I did enjoy in this book was how the ugly awful creatures that gave everyone nightmares were on the side of good in this book. While they were perhaps too good at their job, I couldn't help root for them as they terrorized those plotting against the king or just not caring about the king in the least.
The Mixed
Uneven Characters - Curdie and Lina are interesting characters in this book and you enjoy following them around. However, they're the only characters really given a lot of depth. Princess Irene from the previous book is reduced to a worried daughter at the bedside of her ailing father. The villains aren't even really given a lot of motivation for their betrayal other than selfishness. Honestly I feel like some of the beast characters are given more development than some of the other characters. That's probably not a great thing. Also the magical great-grandmother is never really explained nor are some of her actions explained, like what happens to Lina at the end of the book?
Weird Magic - There is part of me that thinks the gift that Irene's Grandmother gave Curdie was very interesting and a cool magical gift, and another part that thinks it was just really stupid and not the most useful. That gift was to be able to tell how good or evil a man was by touching their hand. It's weird, kind of unique, but also something I feel wouldn't be super useful in a lot of circumstances.
The Bad
All This in Two Years? - There were two years between The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie, but the tone and situation of the book seems like much longer time would be needed, or that we were sorely misled in the first book. The first book presents the King as well loved by his people and a good king. One would think that would include actually having a kingdom of decent people as well. However, this book shows the people of the kingdom as selfish and uncaring about the king; the whole plot is about a plot against the king; and it just doesn't really make a lot of sense considering the description of the first book.
A Message Stronger than the Story - I can't help but feel that MacDonald had some kind of message that he wanted to tell through this story. I'm not sure what it was, but it seemed like there was something he really was wanting to get at and was a bit heavy handed in that. It could have been how people naturally turn towards wickedness; how society is getting worse due to changes in education (I only say this as he mentions it as a cause for the problems in the city of the king); or maybe just how the outsides of things don't always indicate the inside. Whatever it is it felt like that message, even though it wasn't entirely clear to me what that message was, guided the way and the story was placed over it. Only it didn't really work.
Final Thoughts
I found the book okay. It's not amazing, but did have some enjoyable parts. I particularly enjoyed the development and execution of the plan that Curdie, Lina, and the Uglies acted on to set things right. I might have enjoyed the bad guys getting their just reward a bit too much even. Even though these parts were quite enjoyable, they weren't enough to lift the book out of that okay range. There is just too much that doesn't work or feels off when compared to the first book.
The Good
A Boy and His Dog(?) Against the Kingdom - One of my critiques of the first book was that there seemed to be little done by way of planning and the plot moved mainly by the great-grandmother of Irene using a bit of magic. Curdie or Irene were usually involved, but things didn't really happen due to their actions. This book changes that. Curdie and his faithful dog/person/creature thing do a lot of the work in setting things up here. Of course there is still magic afoot, but it felt that Curdie and his planning actually moved things along.
Nightmarish Creatures of Good - One thing I did enjoy in this book was how the ugly awful creatures that gave everyone nightmares were on the side of good in this book. While they were perhaps too good at their job, I couldn't help root for them as they terrorized those plotting against the king or just not caring about the king in the least.
The Mixed
Uneven Characters - Curdie and Lina are interesting characters in this book and you enjoy following them around. However, they're the only characters really given a lot of depth. Princess Irene from the previous book is reduced to a worried daughter at the bedside of her ailing father. The villains aren't even really given a lot of motivation for their betrayal other than selfishness. Honestly I feel like some of the beast characters are given more development than some of the other characters. That's probably not a great thing. Also the magical great-grandmother is never really explained nor are some of her actions explained, like what happens to Lina at the end of the book?
Weird Magic - There is part of me that thinks the gift that Irene's Grandmother gave Curdie was very interesting and a cool magical gift, and another part that thinks it was just really stupid and not the most useful. That gift was to be able to tell how good or evil a man was by touching their hand. It's weird, kind of unique, but also something I feel wouldn't be super useful in a lot of circumstances.
The Bad
All This in Two Years? - There were two years between The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie, but the tone and situation of the book seems like much longer time would be needed, or that we were sorely misled in the first book. The first book presents the King as well loved by his people and a good king. One would think that would include actually having a kingdom of decent people as well. However, this book shows the people of the kingdom as selfish and uncaring about the king; the whole plot is about a plot against the king; and it just doesn't really make a lot of sense considering the description of the first book.
A Message Stronger than the Story - I can't help but feel that MacDonald had some kind of message that he wanted to tell through this story. I'm not sure what it was, but it seemed like there was something he really was wanting to get at and was a bit heavy handed in that. It could have been how people naturally turn towards wickedness; how society is getting worse due to changes in education (I only say this as he mentions it as a cause for the problems in the city of the king); or maybe just how the outsides of things don't always indicate the inside. Whatever it is it felt like that message, even though it wasn't entirely clear to me what that message was, guided the way and the story was placed over it. Only it didn't really work.
Spoiler
They all Lived Happily Ever After... and then Everyone Died - This is pretty much the ending of the book. Right triumphs, Curdie marries the Princess and they become a good king and queen. However, they don't have kids and a new king is appointed who causes the destruction of the city and kills everyone in it and the city is forgotten. The ending was just awful.Final Thoughts
I found the book okay. It's not amazing, but did have some enjoyable parts. I particularly enjoyed the development and execution of the plan that Curdie, Lina, and the Uglies acted on to set things right. I might have enjoyed the bad guys getting their just reward a bit too much even. Even though these parts were quite enjoyable, they weren't enough to lift the book out of that okay range. There is just too much that doesn't work or feels off when compared to the first book.
emintobooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Murder, and War
joshuaray's review against another edition
4.0
While it gets off to a slow start and is pretty different than the first book, The Princess and Curdie is still a lot of fun and a fitting continuation of the story MacDonald began in The Princess and the Goblin. Really enjoyed it!
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vhenderson93's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the first one. While the first one had a more care-free, child-like feel to it, this one was had a deeper message. Curdie had that ability to see what sort of animal or beast a person was becoming just by the touch of their hand. How often do we hear people compared to animals? Clever as a fox? Stubborn as a mule? Busy as a bee? Strong as an ox? These are just personalities and characteristics, not people actually turning into animals and I think that's the point the author was trying to make.
I did like that part where the maid was supposed to warn the people of the castle to repent or face the consequences. Some might have found that preachy but I was ready to see some overdue justice served.
I really thought that Lina would change back into a human and it would turn out that she's a princess from a neighboring kingdom or something. In fact, her ending was a bit disappointing. The author never stated who she was, where she came from, or what finally happened to her.
Overall, I am glad I finally had the chance to read this book but I think once is enough for me. Especially with that ending... had to read the last page a few times to make sense of it.
I did like that part where the maid was supposed to warn the people of the castle to repent or face the consequences. Some might have found that preachy but I was ready to see some overdue justice served.
I really thought that Lina would change back into a human and it would turn out that she's a princess from a neighboring kingdom or something. In fact, her ending was a bit disappointing. The author never stated who she was, where she came from, or what finally happened to her.
Overall, I am glad I finally had the chance to read this book but I think once is enough for me. Especially with that ending... had to read the last page a few times to make sense of it.
celeste57's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed The Princess and the Goblin so much that I picked the sequel up immediately, which is something I rarely do. I thought The Princess and the Goblin was an even better story. I was engaged from start to finish. The last couple of paragraphs in the book felt like they ended the story on an odd low, but other than that weird choice in ending, this was a pretty delightful story.
The Princess and the Goblin picks up over a year after the end of The Princess and the Goblin. Curdie, one of our protagonists from that first book, is a much different boy than he was a year ago. A much more common boy, more’s the pity. He’s losing the goodness and bravery and nobility he exhibited in the first story. But after an encounter with Princess Irene’s mysterious and supernatural great-great grandmother, he finds his way again. And from there he embarks on a hero’s journey reminiscent of The Pilgrim’s Progress in terms of the trials he underwent and the subtle supernatural leadership and staunch faith upon which he must rely.
We also have a fantastic animal companion here. I fell head over heels for Lina, Curdie’s faithful, unlikely friend. Lina is some sort of doglike goblin creature that is almost indescribably ugly. I don’t have the word count ti describe her. But she is intelligent and brave and fiercely loyal to Curdie, and I just adored their partnership.
There are aspects of this book, as well as The Princess and the Goblin, that feel almost allegorical. Whether that was Macdonald’s intention or not, I love how seamlessly he wove his faith into the narrative. This is a beautifully Christian work without Christ or God ever actually being mentioned. And, while I didn’t like the very end of the story, even that displayed humanity’s brokenness and need for a Savior outside of themselves.
The Princess and the Goblin was written in 1883, and I feel that it has aged remarkably well. Part of this is because while it was written for children, it speaks deeply to any reader of any age. In her introduction to The Princess and the Goblin, Ursula K. le Guin stated that Macdonald “wrote for children, not down to them. He didn’t confuse being young with being simple-minded.” While The Princess and the Goblin is more famous, I think The Princess and the Goblin is actually the better story, better written. But both are absolutely worth reading. I can see why Macdonald’s work made such an impact on C. S. Lewis!
The Princess and the Goblin picks up over a year after the end of The Princess and the Goblin. Curdie, one of our protagonists from that first book, is a much different boy than he was a year ago. A much more common boy, more’s the pity. He’s losing the goodness and bravery and nobility he exhibited in the first story. But after an encounter with Princess Irene’s mysterious and supernatural great-great grandmother, he finds his way again. And from there he embarks on a hero’s journey reminiscent of The Pilgrim’s Progress in terms of the trials he underwent and the subtle supernatural leadership and staunch faith upon which he must rely.
We also have a fantastic animal companion here. I fell head over heels for Lina, Curdie’s faithful, unlikely friend. Lina is some sort of doglike goblin creature that is almost indescribably ugly. I don’t have the word count ti describe her. But she is intelligent and brave and fiercely loyal to Curdie, and I just adored their partnership.
There are aspects of this book, as well as The Princess and the Goblin, that feel almost allegorical. Whether that was Macdonald’s intention or not, I love how seamlessly he wove his faith into the narrative. This is a beautifully Christian work without Christ or God ever actually being mentioned. And, while I didn’t like the very end of the story, even that displayed humanity’s brokenness and need for a Savior outside of themselves.
The Princess and the Goblin was written in 1883, and I feel that it has aged remarkably well. Part of this is because while it was written for children, it speaks deeply to any reader of any age. In her introduction to The Princess and the Goblin, Ursula K. le Guin stated that Macdonald “wrote for children, not down to them. He didn’t confuse being young with being simple-minded.” While The Princess and the Goblin is more famous, I think The Princess and the Goblin is actually the better story, better written. But both are absolutely worth reading. I can see why Macdonald’s work made such an impact on C. S. Lewis!
carriedoodledoo's review against another edition
3.0
January '22
A fantastic children's book of a quest and peril, with beasts and magic and good vs. evil. I hadn't read much of MacDonald, except I remember really liking "At the Back of the North Wind" when I found it in the public library as a child. Now I must reread! MacDonald reminded me greatly of Tolkien and Lewis. On further research, I was shocked I had not read more of him and heard more about him! What a fun thing, to come across a 1950s library hardcover in the local thrift store!
December '22 Update: started reading "The Princess and the Goblin", and DNF'd. I couldn't get a handle on the theology, which made me nervous. And YES there is theology, it is children's fantasy written by a Unitarian. While I'm not trashing everything written by this author, I think carefully picking and choosing might be the way to go.
A fantastic children's book of a quest and peril, with beasts and magic and good vs. evil. I hadn't read much of MacDonald, except I remember really liking "At the Back of the North Wind" when I found it in the public library as a child. Now I must reread! MacDonald reminded me greatly of Tolkien and Lewis. On further research, I was shocked I had not read more of him and heard more about him! What a fun thing, to come across a 1950s library hardcover in the local thrift store!
December '22 Update: started reading "The Princess and the Goblin", and DNF'd. I couldn't get a handle on the theology, which made me nervous. And YES there is theology, it is children's fantasy written by a Unitarian. While I'm not trashing everything written by this author, I think carefully picking and choosing might be the way to go.