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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.
boogiewoogiesheep's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annashiv's review against another edition
3.0
Too transparent in its allegory and boring at least the first half and then on occasion after. And what was that last chapter??? In summary, start with the first book and stop there.
lydiawallis's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thewintersings's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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? No
4.0
le_corbeau_romantique's review against another edition
3.0
Some of the most beautiful descriptions and language.
katherinebriggs's review against another edition
4.0
The Princess and Curdie is exciting! There are many characters and the pace is fast -- sometimes, for me, it felt like too much of both. The ending felt sudden and sad to me. Children and adults will enjoy the excitement, creativity, good character attributes, and deep concepts to think about.
bethr's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a 19th century children’s book, so if you like that sort of book, this is the kind of book you will like. The style is discursive and descriptive. “The good ended happily and the bad ended unhappily. That is what Fiction means,” as Oscar Wilde said, and that’s precisely how things go in this tale. Some of the descriptions are beautiful, though, and there are some mysterious characters and creatures that are unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail