At first it was too much like a gritty cop murder mystery, but then the fantasy started kicking in and I actually thought the ending was pretty good. ]]>
Goodreads says it took me 456 days to read this book. But it was so worth it. It was a pleasure to read and I learned tons about Medieval history. The details fade but I'm left with a much firmer grasp of the fundamental causes, effects and legacy of the Age of Faith. And how they relate to where Western cultural is today and where it's going. ]]>
No matter how hard I try I can't understand this book's appeal. To me it seemed to consist almost entirely of the stressed out worry of a young girl trying desperately to be responsible. I wasn't impressed by the storytelling, the plot was quite predictable and all the male characters seemed to exist solely to incite emotion (positive or negative) in the females. That said, I am forced to concede that apparently this book succeeds extremely well at what it's trying to be: a romantic fantasy for girls. ]]>
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I wish I had these stories when I was little.
The Princess and the Goblin
Fun story with delightful asides on how to act like a true princess (always remember your handkerchief!) as well as some doctrinal insights on faith and trust. ("Seeing is not believing -- it is only seeing.")
The Princess and Curdie
Sequel to The Princess and the Goblin where Curdie is the main character. One interesting theme contrasts wicked people acting like beasts with ugly creatures acting rightly.
The Light Princess
Humorous story with plenty of puns. (As a result of losing her gravity, the princess floats in the air and is never serious.)
Phantastes
I can see how this inspired C. S. Lewis. At times it is a little weird and rambling but there are powerful truths hidden in the fantasy. And I love the love story with an unconventional ending.
The Giant's Heart
Short, odd, and just a little macabre. I guess the moral is not to eat little kids. Or maybe that you can still be brave even if you have a name like Tricksey-Wee or Buffy-Bob.
At the Back of the North Wind
Here we have musings on the problem of pain (as C. S. Lewis calls it) and how to live a virtuous live even in the midst of poverty and misfortune. Of course that's all hidden underneath the story of a little boy befriended by a beautiful goddess and how he's changed by visiting the country "at her back."
The Golden Key
A boy and a girl set out on a journey to find what the Golden Key opens and the way to the idyllic land from whence the shadows fall. McDonald plays a lot with age and time passing and we learn that not only is there an Old Man of the Sea, there is also an Old Man of the Earth and an Old Man of the Fire who looks, paradoxically, like a child.
Lilith
This story is a little longer and darker and blatantly religious than the others. The main character's stupidity, fear, and disobedience annoyed me and I don't think he was worthy of his reward. Which was probably the whole point. Repentance and salvation is available to absolutely everyone (even the vilest sinner) who is willing (however reluctantly) to let themselves die and be resurrected in glory. ]]>
by George MacDonald
I haven't finished them all yet. I'll update the review as I go.
Not sure what genre they belong in. I'd say lengthwise most of them are longer than short stories and shorter than the average novel. The treasury is not illustrated although I think the books were originally. Librivox has most of them if you want to check them out yourself. ]]>
Eremite
added a quote:
"'I don't know how to thank you.'
'Then I will tell you. There is only one way I care for. Do better, and grow better, and be better.'" — George MacDonald
"'I don't know how to thank you.'
'Then I will tell you. There is only one way I care for. Do better, and grow better, and be better.'" — George MacDonald
Eremite
added a quote:
"Remember, then, that whoever does not mean good is always in danger of harm. But I try to give everybody fair play, and those that are in the wrong are in far more need of it always than those who are in the right: they can afford to do without it." — George MacDonald
"Remember, then, that whoever does not mean good is always in danger of harm. But I try to give everybody fair play, and those that are in the wrong are in far more need of it always than those who are in the right: they can afford to do without it." — George MacDonald
Might make an OK action movie, but I don't think thrillers are really my genre. ]]>
bookshelves: to-read
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