Review: The Princess and the Goblin

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

I was feeling a bit nostalgic and decided to pick up this book that I read several years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was as interesting to read now as it was back then. Princess Irene lives in a land where goblins are a constant threat. As a result, she lives in a fairly remote part of the country, and her servants are ordered to never take her out past dark. One night, she and her nurse are accidentally caught outside after dark, and the goblins get a glimpse of Princess Irene. It is decided that she will be the new wife of the goblin prince. As the goblins go about trying to find ways to kidnap Irene, a poor miner, Curdie, hears their plans. Curdie makes it his mission to keep the princess safe, and inserts himself into an awful mess of trouble. Both Irene and Curdie must help one another get out of their predicaments before the goblins attack and carry them off for good.

This book has a fairy tale quality to it, which makes it seem as though the story ought to be familiar, even though it isn’t. I really enjoyed re-reading it, and I think that anyone who likes fantasy and fairy tales will enjoy a visit to their childhood with this book.

~Kristen