Scan barcode
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.
rheren's review
4.0
The beginning of this book is incredibly good: deep and thought-provoking. And I'm not saying "thought-provoking for a children's story", I mean thought-provoking compared to any other book. Over and over again I found myself copying out passages that I wanted to remember from the first few chapters. But once the story got going, I wasn't as impressed: it was somewhat interesting, but relies so heavily on the "unlikely heroes" (I won't spoil the story by being more specific) that it felt like a Deus ex machina. Also after the first few chapters there's not much character development anymore: everyone becomes simplistic characters that don't really change as the book goes on. I know it's just a children's book, but the beginning is so amazing that I was disappointed. Worth reading for those first few chapters, though.
sarah_emtage's review
5.0
The castle is crawling with liars and crooks
but bread and wine and storybooks
will heal the king and set the scene
for the battle to make the country clean.
but bread and wine and storybooks
will heal the king and set the scene
for the battle to make the country clean.
littlethistle's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Interesting, but it did drag a bit. It felt a bit preachy at times, but it was mostly subtle enough I could deal with it. I liked how charming it was and all the mystique around the great-grandmother figure who was explored more. I really like 'soft magic' done in this way.
alessia28's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
connorreid's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
misstessamaye's review
4.0
I somehow carried a beautiful feeling the entire time I read it, as I usually do with George MacDonald. The characters are admirable but relatable, and I freaking LOVE that when the story worked as an allegory the God-figure was a graceful but powerful woman. MacDonald shares lovely truths through lovely stories, and I was encouraged by this simple tale I plan to make part of my kids' childhoods.
luv_tati_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
daybreak1012's review against another edition
4.5
Earlier this year, I read The Princess and the Goblins as part of an online book club. I had so many questions about one of the characters -- the great big grandmother -- and one of the hosts strongly suggested also reading the sequel for additional clarity. I am so glad that I did, because while I enjoyed the first book, the second was even better. There is much more of a traditional action-adventure plot to this one that I thought played out so well.
What I liked about The Princess and Curdie:
The "gasp!" moments - There were several for me. One early on in the book when Curdie does something I do not expect. One when I realized what was troubling the king. And one when the true identity of a character is revealed.
Lina - It somehow frequently seems to be the companion characters that wiggle their ways into my heart. Lina is no different. Exemplifying loyalty, sacrifice, courage, friendship -- Lina was a hidden treasure in plain view.
Greater insight into the old princess - I had so many questions about her following the first book and while I am not sure the questions I had then were actually answered directly, I feel a better sense of understanding about her character.
Curdie's gift - I loved the way his gift was designed to work, identifying an evil heart vs a good one. I don't want to say more than that, because it feels borderline spoiler-ish to not learn about it as you read, but it's lovely and brilliant, one of my favorite parts of the book.
The intent of the book - MacDonald does not feel as though it pulls as much from theology as CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien did. Nonetheless, he weaves in some commentary on character and values that are certainly relevant. There is definite good vs evil, and while there was in the first book as well, I just really engaged with the way it was presented this time.
What I didn't care for:
The cover of the edition I read - This is something that I feel compelled to mention. There are more than a thousand editions of this book, most of them with fabulous cover art, and somehow I ended up with one so creepy that I had to keep the book facedown when I wasn't reading it. All I can really say is that it did not surprise me that this edition was printed in the 1980s. I will gladly return this one to the library so that I don't have to see it anymore. I didn't judge this book by its cover, but if I did, I most assuredly would not have read it.
What left me conflicted:
The plot climax and the ending - The former was a little more violent than I was anticipating for children's literature (although given the nature of old fairy tales, fables, and nursery rhymes, maybe I shouldn't have been?) but it certainly accomplished its goal. The latter was "less fairy and more cautionary" in tale; I won't say more than that, other than to mention that while there is certainly a place for that brand of storytelling, I wasn't expecting it here.
Quotes I especially loved:
The "gasp!" moments - There were several for me. One early on in the book when Curdie does something I do not expect. One when I realized what was troubling the king. And one when the true identity of a character is revealed.
Lina - It somehow frequently seems to be the companion characters that wiggle their ways into my heart. Lina is no different. Exemplifying loyalty, sacrifice, courage, friendship -- Lina was a hidden treasure in plain view.
Greater insight into the old princess - I had so many questions about her following the first book and while I am not sure the questions I had then were actually answered directly, I feel a better sense of understanding about her character.
Curdie's gift - I loved the way his gift was designed to work, identifying an evil heart vs a good one. I don't want to say more than that, because it feels borderline spoiler-ish to not learn about it as you read, but it's lovely and brilliant, one of my favorite parts of the book.
The intent of the book - MacDonald does not feel as though it pulls as much from theology as CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien did. Nonetheless, he weaves in some commentary on character and values that are certainly relevant. There is definite good vs evil, and while there was in the first book as well, I just really engaged with the way it was presented this time.
What I didn't care for:
The cover of the edition I read - This is something that I feel compelled to mention. There are more than a thousand editions of this book, most of them with fabulous cover art, and somehow I ended up with one so creepy that I had to keep the book facedown when I wasn't reading it. All I can really say is that it did not surprise me that this edition was printed in the 1980s. I will gladly return this one to the library so that I don't have to see it anymore. I didn't judge this book by its cover, but if I did, I most assuredly would not have read it.
What left me conflicted:
The plot climax and the ending - The former was a little more violent than I was anticipating for children's literature (although given the nature of old fairy tales, fables, and nursery rhymes, maybe I shouldn't have been?) but it certainly accomplished its goal. The latter was "less fairy and more cautionary" in tale; I won't say more than that, other than to mention that while there is certainly a place for that brand of storytelling, I wasn't expecting it here.
Quotes I especially loved:
- There is this difference between the growth of some human beings and that of others: in the one case it is a continuous dying, in the other a continuous resurrection. One of the latter sort comes at length to know at once whether a thing is true the moment it comes before him; one of the former class grows more and more afraid of being taken in, so afraid that he takes himself in altogether, and comes at length to believe in nothing but his dinner: to be sure of a thing is to have it between his teeth.
- But it was little to Curdie that men who did not know what he was about should not approve of his proceedings.
- Remember, then, that whoever does not mean good is always in danger of harm. But I try to give everybody fair play, and those that are in the wrong are in far more need of it always than those who are in the right: they can afford to do without it.
- The boy should enclose and keep, as his life, the old child at the heart of him, and never let it go. He must still, to be a right man, be his mother's darling, and more, his father's pride, and more. The child is not meant to die, but to be forever fresh born.
- "I don't know how to thank you."
"Then I will tell you. There is only one way I care for. Do better, and grow better, and be better."
If you enjoy classic children's literature, like the Lewis's Narnia series, and also the works of Tolkien, these two books might be something worth your time to investigate. I could clearly see how both of those authors were inspired by the works of George MacDonald. Definitely read them in order (The Princess and the Goblins before The Princess and Curdie). Perhaps you will find them as delightful as I did!