Cross Purposes

by George MacDonald

The Fairy Queen, in search of amusement, decides to bring a mortal girl and boy to Fairyland. Peaseblossom, the Fairy Queen's companion, sets out to bring Alice, a squire's daughter, while Toadstool, a goblin, chooses Richard, a poor widow's son. Together they embark on journey into Fairyland.

Genres: Short Stories, Fantasy, Classics, Fairy Tales

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1862

About the author

George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in The Favourite Wonder Book with illustrations by Muriel Gill.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic fantasy.

[Caleb Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Macdonald’s earliest fantasy pieces. Harder to track than his other stories and ending felt very rushed but still classic fantasy.

[Liesl Andrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing. Lovely fairy tale.

[Sula · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about a boy and a girl who are tricked into coming to fairyland and their journey back while falling in love.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic fantasy.