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A review by abomine
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
#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.