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kerry_handscomb's review
3.0
Lilith by George MacDonald was republished in 1969 with a cover by Gervasio Gallardo as the fifth volume in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series edited by Lin Carter. The book was first published in 1895, and Carter claims that MacDonald was one of the founders of the fantasy genre.
MacDonald was a Christian minister by vocation, and Lilith reads as a religious allegory. Lilith is actually a figure of Jewish mythology, the wife of Adam before Eve. In MacDonald's interpretation, she is the consort of Satan and the demon Queen of Hell. Other significant characters in Lilith are the biblical Adam and Eve themselves.
The content of the book is faith based, although MacDonald has clothed it in fantastical imagery. Carter's view in the introduction is that the reader can appreciate the fantastic elements without needing to interpret the allegory. I suppose this is possible, but then we are ignoring MacDonald's point. The book is about salvation, and eventual salvation for all. Even the demonic Lilith herself is redeemed.
The book is good for what it does, although it's primary classification should be religious allegory rather than fantasy, in my view. MacDonald was a mentor for Lewis Carroll and encouraged publication of Alice in Wonderland—indeed, for Lilith MaDonald borrowed from Lewis Carroll the device of entering a fantastical world through a mirror. The Alice stories, by contrast to Lilith, are almost pure fantasy without any philosophical baggage, as far as I can tell. Lilith might go well in Sunday School, which is something we cannot say of Alice in Wonderland. Nevertheless, MacDonald is a good writer, and Lilith has some fun elements.
MacDonald was a Christian minister by vocation, and Lilith reads as a religious allegory. Lilith is actually a figure of Jewish mythology, the wife of Adam before Eve. In MacDonald's interpretation, she is the consort of Satan and the demon Queen of Hell. Other significant characters in Lilith are the biblical Adam and Eve themselves.
The content of the book is faith based, although MacDonald has clothed it in fantastical imagery. Carter's view in the introduction is that the reader can appreciate the fantastic elements without needing to interpret the allegory. I suppose this is possible, but then we are ignoring MacDonald's point. The book is about salvation, and eventual salvation for all. Even the demonic Lilith herself is redeemed.
The book is good for what it does, although it's primary classification should be religious allegory rather than fantasy, in my view. MacDonald was a mentor for Lewis Carroll and encouraged publication of Alice in Wonderland—indeed, for Lilith MaDonald borrowed from Lewis Carroll the device of entering a fantastical world through a mirror. The Alice stories, by contrast to Lilith, are almost pure fantasy without any philosophical baggage, as far as I can tell. Lilith might go well in Sunday School, which is something we cannot say of Alice in Wonderland. Nevertheless, MacDonald is a good writer, and Lilith has some fun elements.
philosopher_kj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
octophile's review against another edition
5.0
Re-reading Mere Christianity made me realize how many of Lewis' ideas about life, death, sanctification, and worlds behind worlds actually came from GMD.
And what a strange and lovely book this still is.
And what a strange and lovely book this still is.
mcfoster's review against another edition
3.0
You can certainly see the influence on CS Lewis in this classic pre-Tolkien fantasy novel!
It takes a while to get into the story, and it has a strange dreamlike quality. However, once things get properly started, it's an intriguing read. It's worth it for the white leopard shifter women, who are some of the best aspects of this story, and I'd love to read a spinoff from the perspective of Lady Mara.
As can be expected, there are some profound spiritual lessons portrayed here, but it avoids being preachy. The style is also old-fashioned, but that's to be expected with a book that is, after all, old. It's got moments of charm and quirkiness, and also some very sinister moments. I was left with an impression of moonlight and silver - and those shapeshifting leopardesses.
One thing that could have been developed better would have been to clarify the age of Lona, as I thought she was a little kid at first, but it turned out that she's older - old enough to be the true love of the narrator. One also wants to kick the narrator at times for continually ignoring the advice of Mr Raven/Adam, almost getting into TSTL territory.
It takes a while to get into the story, and it has a strange dreamlike quality. However, once things get properly started, it's an intriguing read. It's worth it for the white leopard shifter women, who are some of the best aspects of this story, and I'd love to read a spinoff from the perspective of Lady Mara.
As can be expected, there are some profound spiritual lessons portrayed here, but it avoids being preachy. The style is also old-fashioned, but that's to be expected with a book that is, after all, old. It's got moments of charm and quirkiness, and also some very sinister moments. I was left with an impression of moonlight and silver - and those shapeshifting leopardesses.
One thing that could have been developed better would have been to clarify the age of Lona, as I thought she was a little kid at first, but it turned out that she's older - old enough to be the true love of the narrator. One also wants to kick the narrator at times for continually ignoring the advice of Mr Raven/Adam, almost getting into TSTL territory.
ennsez's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jacyc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elisebrancheau's review against another edition
4.0
I only read "Phantastes" this time...I'll come back to "Lilith" some other time.
margauxhdz's review against another edition
2.5
ipanzica's review against another edition
4.0
This book reads like it was originally just the author writing down a weird fever dream they had and then during the second draft they started adding some symbolism, meaning, and profound sentences to the book. The beginning of the book is more weird and random, the middle has some horror, and the end is religious. Though what would you expect with a fantasy book named Lilith. My favorite part of the book is when he first meets the sexton/raven/librarian. It was so weird and the tone shift from confusion to terror was beautifully done.
Overall all of the imagery throughout the book was great. Also the book does a great job at keeping you entertained with all the weird and terrifying characters and scenarios. If you ever wanted a darker Alice in wonderland this book is a must read.
Overall all of the imagery throughout the book was great. Also the book does a great job at keeping you entertained with all the weird and terrifying characters and scenarios. If you ever wanted a darker Alice in wonderland this book is a must read.