I was very pleased with this book in most respects. It has high quality binding, the illustrations are nice (both original by A. Hughs and H. Stratton). However, when I purchased the book it was unclear whether the version was unabridged or not. Reading some other reviews, I knew that some editions leave out at least some passages. In the first chapter, there is an exchange between the author and reader/listener "THERE was once a little princess who-"But, Mr. Author, why do you always write about princesses?...". This exchange is shown on the book description (which is misleading)...BUT, it is not actually in this version of the book. I didn't know what else might be left out as well. I ended up returning this book and purchasing a used copy of an older version, (which I am pleased with). It's a shame because in all other respects (illustrations, binding, etc.) this is a very nice edition.
The Princess and the Goblin (Dover Juvenile Classics) by George MacDonald
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George MacDonald - Princess and Curdie
George MacDonald - The Princess and the Goblin / the Princess and Curdie / the Light Princess / the History of Photogen and Nycteris / Short Stories
George MacDonald - The Light Princess and Other Fairy Stories
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Great edition, except NOT unabridged.
The Princess and the Goblin
I love 'The Princess and the Goblin' partly because it is very easy to read, but still of satisfying depth, and partly because nothing happened the way I expected it to. Kids love this story, and fortunately adults do too. It is timeless because it features a hero who, while being imperfect, doesn't waver from his values.
Great book, a little slow
It took a while to come, but it did make it before the date it promised. Make sure you leave a week or so extra to make sure you get it. Great book though. Wonderful allegory.
The Princess and the Goblin
This classic 19th Century fairy tale still holds up 100 years later. George MacDonald was in a sense a feminist ahead of his time; the beautiful and mysterious grandmother is a central and memorable character. The goblins are wicked but not too scary. The descriptions of the [Welsh?] landscape are vivid, and the relationship between the princess and the humble miner's son, Curdie, speaks of breaking down class barriers.
The Fantastic Imagination Didn't Feel Like Being So Fantastic Here
George MacDonald has produced some mind-blowing works in his lifetime, as demonstrated in The Complete Fairy Tales (Penguin Classics). This one however, seems much more traditional. Rather than fly you in and out of reality itself as he did in The Golden Key, he takes you into your standard medieval setting and leaves you there. This left me feeling disappointed. Really, the only thing I'd classify as mind-blowing in The Princess and the Goblin would be the cobs creatures.
I suppose anyone who's really into stuff like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty could find much enjoyment in this story, and although such stories have their fair share of magic, they actually look rather bland sitting next to some of MacDonald's shorter tales. Personally, I think he could have made the Princess and the Goblin much, much shorter and kept the story intact.
To summarize, if you're into insane stuff as much as I am, look elsewhere for something to hold your interest. Don't cross MacDonald's other works off your list though.
