Helpful Score: 1
George MacDonald wrote with moral values in view, but let his imagination wonder wondrously. He uses the Scottish countryside and turns it into an engrossingly fay world.
Originally written in 1883, this is a classic fairy tale that has stood the test of time. My mother read it as a child, and read it to me when I was little. I, in turn, buy copies for my friends' kids, having none of my own with whom to share this delightful story.
This is a sequel to "The Princess and the Goblin", which I had enjoyed very much, so I had expected to like this one, too. But it's not nearly as good. The beginning is badly in need of some editing and trimming down. Once the story gets going, it's reasonably entertaining. However, this is really Curdie's adventure. Little Princess Irene, who was so active in the prior tale, is little more than wallpaper in this one. And her great-great-grandmother appears at the beginning to set things in motion and at the end to make sure things come out right, but isn't seen in between.
