Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (1980), Paperback, 172 pages
Description
George MacDonald (1824-1905), the great nineteenth-century innovator of modern fantasy, influenced not only C. S. Lewis but also such literary masters as Charles Williams and J. R. R. Tolkien. Though his longer fairy tales Lilith and Phantastes are particularly famous, much of MacDonald's best fantasy writing is found in his shorter stories. In this volume editor Glenn Sadler has compiled some of MacDonald's finest short works -- marvelous fairy tales and stories certain to delight readers familiar with MacDonald and those about to meet him for the first time.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Crowyhead
A nice collection of George MacDonald's shorter works. Some of the stories struck me as a bit preachy, but all are told with wit, charm, and grace. It's easy to see why he was such an influence on writers like C.S. Lewis.
LibraryThing member RRHowell
I love the wise woman stories. But you are getting something like a moralistic fairy tale, so be prepared.
LibraryThing member EstherFilbrun
I admit—I approached this book with my fair share of trepidation. After listening to the audiobook of Phantastes last year, and struggling to get anything out of it (or even figure out what the plot was supposed to be!), I despaired of finding a George MacDonald book I’d enjoy. I’m thankful
I did find the start of this book somewhat slow. I struggled to connect with the characters, and couldn’t decide whether I even liked the Wise Woman—was she supposed to be likeable? Once I realized what she could do and what she was doing, however, I got sucked into the story…and then the next…and the next. Each of the four stories in this book are unique, but each are tiny portraits of God’s relationship with us, and most have allegorical elements. As someone who has loved allegory from the time I was a young child, I loved that.
Overall, I wouldn’t be surprised if I pick this book up again someday. I ended up loving it, and I know my reading life has been enriched by the experience. These are the kinds of stories you have to read multiple times to “get” all the different levels of meaning, and it’s good for the soul to come across books like that occasionally. If you enjoy classical works but have never picked up any of MacDonald’s writings, I’d recommend you check this out.
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for the way reading challenges push me outside of my comfort zone, though, because otherwise, I may never have picked this story up.I did find the start of this book somewhat slow. I struggled to connect with the characters, and couldn’t decide whether I even liked the Wise Woman—was she supposed to be likeable? Once I realized what she could do and what she was doing, however, I got sucked into the story…and then the next…and the next. Each of the four stories in this book are unique, but each are tiny portraits of God’s relationship with us, and most have allegorical elements. As someone who has loved allegory from the time I was a young child, I loved that.
Overall, I wouldn’t be surprised if I pick this book up again someday. I ended up loving it, and I know my reading life has been enriched by the experience. These are the kinds of stories you have to read multiple times to “get” all the different levels of meaning, and it’s good for the soul to come across books like that occasionally. If you enjoy classical works but have never picked up any of MacDonald’s writings, I’d recommend you check this out.
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Original publication date
1980
Physical description
172 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
0802818609 / 9780802818607
Local notes
The title story, 'The Wise Woman, or, The Obstinate Princess' stars Princess Rosamund, whose royal parents have spoiled her absolutely rotten. The Wise Woman steals Rosamund away and she begins to learn that her wishes are not what the world revolves around.
In George Macdonald boxed set.
In George Macdonald boxed set.