George MacDonald

The Princess and the Goblin

Ryan Haber

A charming children's book good for now as it was then. Adults will enjoy it as well.

Eight-year-old Princess Irene lives a lonely life in a castle in a wild, desolate, mountainous kingdom, with only her nursemaid, Lootie, for company. Her father, the king, is normally absent, and her mother is dead. Unknown to her, the nearby mines are inhabited by a race of goblins, long banished from the kingdom and now anxious to take revenge on their human neighbours. One rainy day, the princess explores the castle and discovers a beautiful, mysterious lady, who identifies herself as Irene's namesake and great-great-grandmother. The next day, Princess Irene persuades her nursemaid to take her outside. After dark they are chased by goblins and rescued by the young miner, Curdie, whom Irene befriends. At work with the rest of the miners, Curdie overhears the goblins talking, and their conversation reveals to Curdie the secret weakness of goblin anatomy: they have very soft, vulnerable feet. Curdie sneaks into the Great Hall of the goblin palace to eavesdrop on their general meeting, and hears that the goblins intend to flood the mine if a certain other part of their plan should fail. He later conveys this news to his father. In the palace, Princess Irene injures her hand, which her great-great-grandmother heals. A week later Irene is about to see her great-great-grandmother again, but is frightened by a long-legged cat and escapes up the mountain; whereupon the light from her great-great-grandmother's tower leads her home, where her great-great-grandmother gives Irene a ring attached to a thread invisible except to herself, which thereafter connects her constantly to home.

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Rick Dobrowolski

I read through this with my daughter. Entertaining and has some good lessons for princesses as well.

Ana V. 

A classic that can't be ignored but can take its time to read. Still, it has inspired so many authors for its brilliance at the time.

Liz Carpenter

Guin Hartinger

A great children's Fantasy novel, though I felt it was lacking thematic substance compared to the wealth of other Fantasy material available. Still, enjoyable and interesting for those concerned with the history of Fantasy.

sharkie

From the man who influenced the minds of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L’Engle, comes a classic story about courage and overcoming evil. Follow young Princess Irene and her friend Curdie as they fight goblins who want to overthrow the kingdom. Intended for children, George MacDonald’s fantastical writing is captivating for readers of all ages.

The Princess and the Goblin

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