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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
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
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
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: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
pizzamyheart's review
3.0
The Princess and Curdie is the sequel of George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin. Set a few years after the events of the first book, The Princess and Curdie follows Curdie as he sets out on a quest given to him by the old princess Irene.
When we first meet Curdie he has grown hardened by his time in the mine. On his way home from work he shoots a white pigeon. Realizing it belongs to the old princess (Irene's great great grandmother), he rushes into the abandoned castle to find the old princess. She heals her bird, and gifts Curdie with the ability to see a person's inner self by touching their hands. With his new gift he is sent on a quest to visit the king. Details of the quest are unknown, but the Princess assures him that with faith he will reach his destination and know exactly what to do.
Similar to C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald fills his book with christian allegories. Throughout the book, Curdie is told to keep going with blind faith. He learns to not judge a create by their appearance, but by what in on the inside. Lastly, he begins to preach right from wrong to anyone he meets. Along the way Curdie meets up with 50 strange creatures. People shun them as demons, and associate Curdie as the devil. The entire novel seems to draw from stories in the bible, especially the end of days.
The Princess and Curdie is categorized as a children's novel, but does not feel appropriate for today's children. Along with the religious emphasis, the book is at times violent, with an extensive vocabulary. It is better suited for a YA audience who undertstands the language and what is really going on. The theme of the novel is to trust the faith, and show kindness to all. The message is good, but the execution is dark. It is not as lighthearted as the first novel, but is closer to the dark style C.S. Lewis used in the final Chronicles of Narnia book. The violent actions are broken up by small cheerful descriptions (the king with Barbara, and the ball monster). They are what keeps the book going. The ending is overall a disappointment. MacDonald answers the question of what happens to the country and why we have never heard of it.
When I finished this book it was with a heavy heart. The last few paragraphs should have been a cheerful ending. Instead MacDonald ended it the way he did. I wish there were more books in this series. I really enjoyed the character of Curdie and Lina. I also enjoyed the mines. I don't know of any other tales that focus on a princess and a miner. It was a nice change from the knight coming to save the day or the ordinary servant, or farmer who falls for a princess. Curdie had his own thoughts and actions. He knew what he wanted in life. He was independent, down to earth, strong and respectable. Lina was also a great character. And ugly, dog-like creature, MacDonald gave her a heart. I did not understand her ending, but I would have loved to see more.
In all, MacDonald had some great ideas. His novel was interesting, but will have a hard time being applied to modern audiences.
When we first meet Curdie he has grown hardened by his time in the mine. On his way home from work he shoots a white pigeon. Realizing it belongs to the old princess (Irene's great great grandmother), he rushes into the abandoned castle to find the old princess. She heals her bird, and gifts Curdie with the ability to see a person's inner self by touching their hands. With his new gift he is sent on a quest to visit the king. Details of the quest are unknown, but the Princess assures him that with faith he will reach his destination and know exactly what to do.
Similar to C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald fills his book with christian allegories. Throughout the book, Curdie is told to keep going with blind faith. He learns to not judge a create by their appearance, but by what in on the inside. Lastly, he begins to preach right from wrong to anyone he meets. Along the way Curdie meets up with 50 strange creatures. People shun them as demons, and associate Curdie as the devil. The entire novel seems to draw from stories in the bible, especially the end of days.
The Princess and Curdie is categorized as a children's novel, but does not feel appropriate for today's children. Along with the religious emphasis, the book is at times violent, with an extensive vocabulary. It is better suited for a YA audience who undertstands the language and what is really going on. The theme of the novel is to trust the faith, and show kindness to all. The message is good, but the execution is dark. It is not as lighthearted as the first novel, but is closer to the dark style C.S. Lewis used in the final Chronicles of Narnia book. The violent actions are broken up by small cheerful descriptions (the king with Barbara, and the ball monster). They are what keeps the book going. The ending is overall a disappointment. MacDonald answers the question of what happens to the country and why we have never heard of it.
When I finished this book it was with a heavy heart. The last few paragraphs should have been a cheerful ending. Instead MacDonald ended it the way he did. I wish there were more books in this series. I really enjoyed the character of Curdie and Lina. I also enjoyed the mines. I don't know of any other tales that focus on a princess and a miner. It was a nice change from the knight coming to save the day or the ordinary servant, or farmer who falls for a princess. Curdie had his own thoughts and actions. He knew what he wanted in life. He was independent, down to earth, strong and respectable. Lina was also a great character. And ugly, dog-like creature, MacDonald gave her a heart. I did not understand her ending, but I would have loved to see more.
In all, MacDonald had some great ideas. His novel was interesting, but will have a hard time being applied to modern audiences.
hidingincorners's review
5.0
An excellent read, though much different than the first book. It is focused more on righteous anger and punishing wrongdoers and finding good among evil men in evil times. And the ending would have been so happy if not for the last two paragraphs! Like, that was so pessimistic after such optimism.
katiemichellereads's review
4.0
4.5 stars
This was an amazing sequel, and I was so happy to be reading it. The only thing I disliked was the very end, but it wasn't horrible. And it was real.
This was an amazing sequel, and I was so happy to be reading it. The only thing I disliked was the very end, but it wasn't horrible. And it was real.