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jharkey4's review against another edition
3.0
Pleasant fairy tale that's worth the read.
I might have rated it a bit higher if I were in a more patient mindset. As it is, there's a bit too much in this story that feels pointless. I'm sure for many, these things are simply part of the delightful setting and don't need a "purpose" beyond that to justify their inclusion.
I might have rated it a bit higher if I were in a more patient mindset. As it is, there's a bit too much in this story that feels pointless. I'm sure for many, these things are simply part of the delightful setting and don't need a "purpose" beyond that to justify their inclusion.
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
One of the pioneers of modern fantasy, George MacDonald's The Golden Key from 1867 is really beautiful and worth reading for its impact on fantasy literature. Also worth noting is George MacDonald's influence on Lewis Carroll's Wonderland. A sweet, important story.
wendylioness's review against another edition
5.0
My sister and I listened to the audiobook of this short story/novella today. It moved me. Later this evening, I went through a physical copy of the book and reread pieces of it, trying to continue to absorb its depth and fill myself more with it.
It’s interesting; between the two different physical editions of the story my sister and I have, and the audiobook, I noticed minor differences in phrases, wording/description, and one or two lines of dialogue missing in one of the editions, giving the story a slightly different experience with each one.
This story reminded me a little bit of Lewis’ sermon The Weight of Glory, about the longing for that other country.
This is one of those stories that seems to find you at just the perfect time in your life so it can speak straight to the depths of your heart and soul about life and eternity. I liked how it was both subtle and dreamy, mysterious and strange, more metaphorical than allegorical.
It’s interesting; between the two different physical editions of the story my sister and I have, and the audiobook, I noticed minor differences in phrases, wording/description, and one or two lines of dialogue missing in one of the editions, giving the story a slightly different experience with each one.
This story reminded me a little bit of Lewis’ sermon The Weight of Glory, about the longing for that other country.
This is one of those stories that seems to find you at just the perfect time in your life so it can speak straight to the depths of your heart and soul about life and eternity. I liked how it was both subtle and dreamy, mysterious and strange, more metaphorical than allegorical.
giantarms's review against another edition
3.0
A charming little story of two children's journey to . . . do something? Really full of quite lovely imagery and fanciful characters, but overall it was another one of those stories where the characters don't do things so much as have things done to them. Still, I'd read it again for the images in my mind.
Because lordy lord, the images by Sendak were uninspiring. MacDonald writes something like, "And he looked at the MOST AMAZING THING EVER which I will presently describe in GREAT DETAIL." What's Sendak come up with? A sketchy woodcut or something of a some kid kinda looking at something or whatever. Gee. Thanks. That was worth the effort, I'm sure.
Because lordy lord, the images by Sendak were uninspiring. MacDonald writes something like, "And he looked at the MOST AMAZING THING EVER which I will presently describe in GREAT DETAIL." What's Sendak come up with? A sketchy woodcut or something of a some kid kinda looking at something or whatever. Gee. Thanks. That was worth the effort, I'm sure.
frankydclc's review against another edition
3.0
It’s brimming with magic and beautifully written but I haven’t the slightest idea what any of it means. There’s an awful lot of afterlife imagery and an awful lot of sadness and growing up. And all of that lends it quite the air of importance. It’s certainly good and even more certainly wise. But perhaps it’s a wisdom that I’m not yet again young enough to understand. I quite liked the feathered fishes.
midgardener's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent demonstration of a Faerie-tale. Bizarre creatures, enchanted waters, and astounding settings abound in this understated children's story of a boy and a girl who go adventuring after a mythical key in the realm of Faerie. With an afterword by Auden and a blurb by Tolkien, it must be good! I'd also particularly like to note that the ending was perfect, though I'll give nothing away here.
My only critique, however, concerns Sendak's illustrations. His lumpish characters were without personality, and the settings he created gave me no insight into the wonders of the "other" world. In short, they added next to nothing to my reading of the text, and seemed present almost to merely elongate the book. The book nonetheless succeeds in spite of this drawback, and I recommend it to imaginative readers of any age!
My only critique, however, concerns Sendak's illustrations. His lumpish characters were without personality, and the settings he created gave me no insight into the wonders of the "other" world. In short, they added next to nothing to my reading of the text, and seemed present almost to merely elongate the book. The book nonetheless succeeds in spite of this drawback, and I recommend it to imaginative readers of any age!
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite George MacDonald, but it was filled with lovely imagery and allegory. I think I prefer The Light Princess and The Princess and the Goblin, but this one was still worth the read. Make sure you read this book with Maurice Sendak's illustrations! They are so lovely and add a lot to the story.
jthhhhhhhh's review against another edition
I liked it, but I’m not sure I grasped it. W.H. Auden’s afterword, which my son also insisted I read (not sure how much he grasped) was helpful to contextualize MacDonald’s work as a forerunner of Tolkien and Lewis.