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A review by mcfoster
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
4.0
This is a children's fantasy story about a little princess, a miner boy and lots of wicked goblins. It's a pre-Tolkien classic, which means that the style is older, with plenty of "author talking" moments, but if you can overlook that, it's a fun read - and would be good to read aloud to children. The influence on C.S. Lewis and Tolkien is very obvious - the subterranean goblins are reminiscent of those in The Hobbit, Irene's ability to see and believe what others can't yet is similar to Narnia's Lucy, and the flood scene is reminiscent of the drowning of Underland in The Silver Chair.
However, the most memorable and distinctive aspect of this book which stuck in my mind the first time I read it - nearly 35 years ago - is Irene's enigmatic and mysterious grandmother. The book is worth reading simply for this beautiful description of a wise and beautiful crone. I'd read a whole book about her!
However, the most memorable and distinctive aspect of this book which stuck in my mind the first time I read it - nearly 35 years ago - is Irene's enigmatic and mysterious grandmother. The book is worth reading simply for this beautiful description of a wise and beautiful crone. I'd read a whole book about her!