One of the nice things about reading older literature is the price tag.

This illustrated version of The Princess of the Goblin was only 0.99$ on kindle. I’ve read one of George Macdonald’s books before (At the Back of the North Wind), so I knew I would likely enjoy this one too. His style is easy to like.

His approach to writing children’s literature is my favourite one:

“I write, not for children, but for the childlike, whether they be of five, or fifty, or seventy-five.”

George Macdonald

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SYNOPSIS

Princess Irene lives in a castle in a wild and lonely mountainous region. One day she discovers a steep and winding stairway leading to a bewildering labyrinth of unused passages with closed doors – and a further stairway. What lies at the top? Can the ring the princess is given protect her against the lurking menace of the goblins from under the mountain?

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REVIEW

This was a charming read, with classic fantasy vibes.

I liked the theme of being able to believe what you cannot see/feel yet. I also really liked the story being somewhat centred around princess Irene and her great grandmother’s spirit/ghost.

It was nice seeing small traces of inspiration taken by different authors I’ve gotten to know (Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll…)

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