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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I learned about this book's existence whilst on a YouTube binge looking for Rik Mayall clips (you are much missed, good sir) - it turns out he voiced the goblin prince in an animated adaptation. Being a fairy tale fan, I resolved to give this a go.
I generally feel goblins get a bad rap in fantasy works. Personally, I find them somewhat endearing, but they are almost always portrayed as villianous, sneaky and greedy. Heck, I even wrote a university assignment on '"Goblin Market" and "Overheard on a Saltmarsh" demonstrating how goblins are used to symbolise predatory men. Consequently, because of that association and the book's title, I was able to predict the goblins' evil plan early on. Given that the heroine, Princess Irene, is only a child, a whole other sordid level is added - but one I feel a child reader wouldn't really pick up on.
Fairytale tropes both feature and are inverted here. Princess raised with ladylike manners befriends brave miner boy and gets caught up in perilous adventure. Then again, Irene isn't passive: she is headstrong, speaks her mind and is always truthful and keeps her promises - two traits she considers vital in a princess. She even rescues her miner friend, Curdie, at one point... although, of course, the male hero gets his fair share of action moments, too. In the absence of a Fairy Godmother, there is intsead a mystical grandmother character, beautiful and dreamlike, who influences events and protects the heroes from afar.
The goblins themselves are brilliant creations. Family conversations are funny (and a tad relatable!) and the wonderfully obnoxious queen probably went to the same finishing school as Wonderland's Queen of Hearts. Even the goblin prince, Harelip, breaks the mold somewhat: he is himself half-human, for which he is mocked mercilessly by his own wicked stepmother, and it seems he is going along with the plot due to a sense of duty and expectation rather than any personal malice, making him an (almost) sympathetic character.
The archaic language might make it a trickier read for its intended child audience, but I would still thoroughly recommend it as a bedtime story. After all, I'm almost 30, and I could hardly put it down.
I generally feel goblins get a bad rap in fantasy works. Personally, I find them somewhat endearing, but they are almost always portrayed as villianous, sneaky and greedy. Heck, I even wrote a university assignment on '"Goblin Market" and "Overheard on a Saltmarsh" demonstrating how goblins are used to symbolise predatory men. Consequently, because of that association and the book's title, I was able to predict the goblins' evil plan early on. Given that the heroine, Princess Irene, is only a child, a whole other sordid level is added - but one I feel a child reader wouldn't really pick up on.
Fairytale tropes both feature and are inverted here. Princess raised with ladylike manners befriends brave miner boy and gets caught up in perilous adventure. Then again, Irene isn't passive: she is headstrong, speaks her mind and is always truthful and keeps her promises - two traits she considers vital in a princess. She even rescues her miner friend, Curdie, at one point... although, of course, the male hero gets his fair share of action moments, too. In the absence of a Fairy Godmother, there is intsead a mystical grandmother character, beautiful and dreamlike, who influences events and protects the heroes from afar.
The goblins themselves are brilliant creations. Family conversations are funny (and a tad relatable!) and the wonderfully obnoxious queen probably went to the same finishing school as Wonderland's Queen of Hearts. Even the goblin prince, Harelip, breaks the mold somewhat: he is himself half-human, for which he is mocked mercilessly by his own wicked stepmother, and it seems he is going along with the plot due to a sense of duty and expectation rather than any personal malice, making him an (almost) sympathetic character.
The archaic language might make it a trickier read for its intended child audience, but I would still thoroughly recommend it as a bedtime story. After all, I'm almost 30, and I could hardly put it down.
Re-read this for the first time in years--one of my childhood favorites. It held just as much wonder and surreality as I remembered, which I adored. It did have a lot more heavy handed Christian belief analogies than I remembered, though. On the other hand, it can also be pretty clearly read as a narrative about women not being believed, so I didn't really mind it. It also had lot to say about belief that, in general, I agree with, if not specifically in a Christian context. Gave me thought as a child, and even more so as an adult.
A nice little story. I can see why many regard it as a well of inspiration for a number of famous fantasy writers that followed after George McDonald in later years.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
#24hourreadathon
I read this for two reasons: 1) I vaguely remember watching the movie adaptation as a kid, and 2) George MacDonald is listed as one of JRR Tolkien's and CS Lewis's major literary influences. I can definitely see that influence, particularly in Lewis's Narnia and Tolkien's Hobbit. Even the manner in which MacDonald would break the fourth wall in order to talk to his child audience in a rambly, conversational way seemed almost identical to the style that Lewis would use 70-something years later in his Narnia series.
While not quite as polished as the important fantasy sagas to follow (the ending seemed a little anticlimactic, and MacDonald would occasionally go overboard on his fourth wall breaking), this is still an enjoyable adventure in its own right, with a few memorable characters and some creepy/beautiful details, though mostly as an Easter egg hunt for Tolkien and Lewis fans.
I read this for two reasons: 1) I vaguely remember watching the movie adaptation as a kid, and 2) George MacDonald is listed as one of JRR Tolkien's and CS Lewis's major literary influences. I can definitely see that influence, particularly in Lewis's Narnia and Tolkien's Hobbit. Even the manner in which MacDonald would break the fourth wall in order to talk to his child audience in a rambly, conversational way seemed almost identical to the style that Lewis would use 70-something years later in his Narnia series.
While not quite as polished as the important fantasy sagas to follow (the ending seemed a little anticlimactic, and MacDonald would occasionally go overboard on his fourth wall breaking), this is still an enjoyable adventure in its own right, with a few memorable characters and some creepy/beautiful details, though mostly as an Easter egg hunt for Tolkien and Lewis fans.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
Re-read this for the first time in years--one of my childhood favorites. It held just as much wonder and surreality as I remembered, which I adored. It did have a lot more heavy handed Christian belief analogies than I remembered, though. On the other hand, it can also be pretty clearly read as a narrative about women not being believed, so I didn't really mind it. It also had lot to say about belief that, in general, I agree with, if not specifically in a Christian context. Gave me thought as a child, and even more so as an adult.
Two of my favorite MacDonald fairy tales, with two helpful interpretive essays from the editors.
Wow. I think this is now my favourite George MacDonald book, and I regret not having read it earlier. Loved to pieces the bit about Irene and the primroses, the Grandmother's room and the thread.
There are so many later books which I can now see were influenced by this; The Silver Chair, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen, I'm sure Tolkien must have read it too. How strange to find Goblins like these in a Victorian story!
Only criticism was that the ending contained some violence (one particular act by Curdie) which seemed out of keeping with the tone of the book, which is otherwise very gentle. Would have liked the Goblins to have some redeeming qualities too.
Must hunt down a nice old illustrated edition of this now!
There are so many later books which I can now see were influenced by this; The Silver Chair, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen, I'm sure Tolkien must have read it too. How strange to find Goblins like these in a Victorian story!
Only criticism was that the ending contained some violence (one particular act by Curdie) which seemed out of keeping with the tone of the book, which is otherwise very gentle. Would have liked the Goblins to have some redeeming qualities too.
Must hunt down a nice old illustrated edition of this now!
Really enjoyed this sweet, unique fairytale. Irene and Curdie reminded me a bit of Annie and Alec from the Maiden's Bequest. I do think I may have enjoyed it a bit more when I was younger. But even so I loved how it depicted faith, and how safety often looks different than we think it should, and the incredible grace and love of Irene's great-great-grandmother was heartwarming in the truest sense of the word.