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Summary: a sense of the Holy
Review: C.S. Lewis has written of encountering a sense of the holy while reading the works of George MacDonald. I agree with Lewis' assessment when it comes to "The Princess and the Goblin." Anyone who reads this book with profit by having done so.First, and perhaps most importantly "The Princess and the Goblin" is a delightful story. There is a lot of the "just plain fun reading" stuff going on in this story. There is also a lot more. MacDonald has buried a lot of treasures within the cave walls of his story. If the reader looks carefully as they follow the fates of Irene and Curdie, they will find these jewels just sitting there shining in the darkness, ready to be mined. There are nuggets of wisdom to be gained here in the dialogue, the narration, and in the overall arch of the story. More than this, MacDonald's story features the best of what was Romantic literature and blends it with the greatest characteristics of fairy tales--then he turns convention on its head. Some examples: -Whereas in fairy tales wisdom is associated with the old and knowledgeable, wisdom is here associated with innocence. -While in traditional tales, it is the hero who saves the princess, here the princess must rescue the hero. -Fans of modern fantasy may be used to Providential Guidance being related to male literary figures such as Tolkien's Gandalf, Lewis' Aslan. Here the figure is Feminine--the Grandmother. In the process of playing off of and twisting traditional Romantic literature and fairy tales MacDonald manages to transcend both genres and create a truly original work of wonder. I recommend the "Princess and the Goblin" most highly. Get it today. Just be careful that you don't pick up an abridgment--they tend to rip out the heart of the tale in an attempt to make the text more modern (neutered).
Rating: 
Summary: The first kid's fantasy
Review: Dang, but this is good! I can see why Lewis and Tolkien, the acknowledged kings of fantasy, loved it. Written long before the Hobbit, I'd say that this might be the first kid's fantasy book still published today. Young Princess Irene is kept in ignorance of the ghastly goblins that live under the mountains--neither she nor any of the castle staff are allowed out after dark. But when she and her nurse Lootie accidently stay out too late, a hideous creature chases them and nearly catches them. Because of that, Irene meets the young miner boy, Curdie, who knows the weaknesses of the goblins. After her narrow escape, Irene is drawn up into abandoned parts of the castle to where her great-great-grandmother lives, surviving on pigeon's eggs--also a wonderful character, somewhere between a guardian angel and a grandmother. Her shifting forms, subtle magic and enigmatic speech are mesmerizing. The enchanted bath scene is worth the book alone! Irene and Curdie are human yet excellent role models for kids. Irene appears to be only seven or eight, but tries to carry herself as a princess at all times, with bravery and dignity (she doesn't always succeed, but it's never shown as being a GOOD thing). Curdie is also brave and dignified, a prince in the spirit with humble roots. And the goblins? Well, I got nightmares when I was little from some of the descriptions, but if you can read, say, Harry Potter (not as good) without freaking then you should have no trouble. This is probably the earliest fantasy, and one of the best.
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Summary: This is Fantasy at Its Best
Review: George MacDonald's old-fashioned tales of fantasy are very entertaining and, unfortunately, over-looked. Once I read this book, I wanted to know about him and his life. He was a very charitable man with a large family and a large group of literary genuises of the time as his friends. This book is exciting, colorful, and very imaginative. An essential book of fantasy for any age.
Rating:
Summary: Classic 19th century children's novel
Review: George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin is a classic childrens tale of the 19th century, and one of the earliest and most influential. The story concerns a young princess (around 8 years when the story begins), and the devious plots of the goblins to kidnap her. To help her she has her new friend, the boy miner Curdie, and her beautiful and wise old grandmother.
Any lover of children literature should definitely give this a read.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: I cant believe I haven't read this untill now, its such a great book! A princess lives in a castle all her life, never knowing of the great dangers that go on in the mountain. One day(being about 7 years old) she finds a stairway in her house that she has never seen and it leads her to her great, great grandmother. After she meets her grandmother she is shown the dangers of the goblins and meets a boy named Curdie who mines in the mountain with his father. Throughout the book Curdie and the princess have many encounters with the goblins. This is a great book I highly recommend it for readers of all ages.
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Summary: I've gone back to this book many times over the years.
Review: I had to go into the stacks in one place I lived to find this wonderful tale but every time I read it I relive the wonder and thrill of the first time I found this warm and wonderful story. It is full of magic which never fades. I keep young reading good books like this to my grandchildren and soon a great-grandchild. I am over 70 now but this is a story that never loses its wonder for me and for those I read it to. Read it and love it; no matter your age!
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Summary: The Book Was Wonderful
Review: I just discovered George MacDonald and I will definitely be reading more of him. My mother bought this book for me yesterday because I love children's fantasy books. I finished it last night at 12:45am. This is one of the best children's fantasy books I have ever read. It was one of those books that keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. I think is a great book to read aloud with whole family or just by yourself (I am fifteen and I loved it). It has alot of good lessons in it and I will definitely read it to my children when I grow up. And if you like this you will also enjoy "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis and any of the E. Nesbit books...
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Summary: Great, quick reading.
Review: I just finished this book, and, like all other books by George MacDonald, I loved it. There was a sense of wonder about this book, though not as rich or deep as that in Phantastes, it was highly noticeable. When I finished it, I was left wondering what it meant. There is a deeper level to this book, similar to that used by Tolkien and Lewis. I am going to try to help my young relatives read this book; it is one of those which you'll remember once it is read.
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Summary: Magical
Review: I read this book for the first time as a nine year old child. I liked it so much that, I stayed up way past my bedtime (until about three in the morning) and finished it in one night. I am 24 now and have bought it with the intention of reading it to my 4 year old. This books definetly stimulates the imagination!!! If you have children or know someone who does this book makes an excellent gift. The bathroom scene is wonderful.AAA+!!!
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Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I'm a little to old to be reading children's fairy tales, but I find myself picking up this one, and its sequel from time to time. It may be a little too harsh for very small children, what with stomping on goblins' feet and all, but it is filled with positive moral values such as honesty, faith, hard work and love. It is also a book with magic, beauty, ugliness and even cruelty - just as any good fairy tale has. This is one of the few books that has truly made me smile
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