Comments on: The Princess and Curdie

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:38:44 +0000

The illustrator is Jessie Willcox Smith, publisher originally (1920) was David McKay Co. You can view a newer version of the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Goblin-Books-Wonder/dp/0688066046/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

Some of the illustrations, and all of the text, are online here: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Princess_and_the_Goblin (It mixes samples from several illustrators)

By: Adele Aiken

Adele Aiken — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:04:01 +0000

Can you tell me who the publisher is and who the illustrator is or the illustrated Princess and the Goblin book shown above

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:55:13 +0000

I’ve not read any abridged versions, so I’ll take your word on that.

That’s an interesting question you raise about MacDonald’s vocation. I didn’t realize he continued preaching. I was going by the intro to my copy of the book, which states that “at the same time as pursuing a literary career, he had tried to be a Congregationalist minister; but his unconventional and tolerant views caused so many complaints from members of his parish that he became disillusioned and gave it up.” So although he may have continued to earn income through preaching, it sounds (to me) like his vocation as a minister was over.

Thanks for the tip on the ‘Unspoken Sermons.’ I’ve run across quotations from them in other works, and I’m curious about them.

By: Larry Gilman

Larry Gilman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:23:53 +0000

There is a slight biographical error in the statement that MacDonald was “Originally a minister [but] made the transition to a full-time literary vocation after meeting with adversity . . .”

Although MacDonald was no longer employed by a church after his first, controversial stint as a rector, preaching continued to be one of his main sources of income until he died. His written works in this line are collected in the (to my mind) superb books _Unspoken Sermons_ Vols. 1-3.

I have read most of his religious novels, by the way, and like them very much, despite their literary limitations. Strangely, most of his abridgers and modernizers focus on purging the Scots dialect bits. I think they are the best parts: the places where his characters’ voices comes most fully alive. I am as American as a Ford SUV yet rarely have trouble understanding what is said. I earnestly recommend all persons interested in MacDonald to shun abridgements and other dumbed-down versions. Dig only the real deal!

Regards,

Larry Gilman

By: Adrianna

Adrianna — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:37:46 +0000

Thanks for the review on this book. I am reading ir for my Grade 11 English cumulative and am almost done. I was searching for christianity parralels to the book as I had noticed many. It helped me understand the book a bit better.
I’m trying to come up with a Thesis for my Essay, and anyone has any suggestions please feel free to let me know

By: Saturday Review of Books: December 13, 2008 at Semicolon

Saturday Review of Books: December 13, 2008 at Semicolon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:30:03 +0000

[...] Amazing Undersea Adventure)43. Josette (The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie)44. Josette (Eclipse)45. Janet (The Princess and Curdie)46. Shonda (The Gift)47. Shonda (Frenemies)48. Beth F (This Rock)49. Nicole (The Uncommon Reader)50. [...]

By: SHerry

SHerry — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:22:44 +0000

MacDonald wrote quite a few sort of romance novels mostly set in Scotland. They’re preachy by today’s standards, and some of them have been abridged and rewritten and published by some one, I forget which publisher. I much prefer his fantasies and allegories.

By: Petunia

Petunia — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:52:09 +0000

I have considered reading through all of MacDonald’s works to my family in the evenings. We’ve recently read through the Narnia series for the fourth time and are big fans so I think MacDonald would be a hit too. Thanks for the review.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:50:24 +0000

I read his children’s books as a child and liked them, and my oldest daughter read them when she was between the ages of 11 and 12 and liked them. Neither of us have re-read them as adults. I’m thinking from your comments that they might not wear as well.

Thanks for the review!

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:42:53 +0000

I agree — I liked that part about Curdie “seeing into” people too.

The Great Divorce is one of my favorites!