The Princess and the Goblin

By: George Macdonald

Narrated by: Peter Joyce

Revolutionary for the time in encouraging children to think like children, the adventure of Princess Irene and Curdie, the boy miner, was to influence generations of writers, including Chesterton and Tolkien. Overflowing with fantastic ideas and images to delight the young and allegory to inspire their morality The Princess and the Goblin has remained one of the most exciting tales for over 100 years.

Irene lives in a castle on a mountain, under which there is a labyrinth of tunnels inhabited by Goblins. Also, within the hillsides, there is a group of miners digging for precious metals. When the Goblins try to kidnap the Princess and flood the mines, it is up to Curdie, the boy miner, and Irene’s great-great-great grandmother to use their wit and resources to defeat the wicked plan.

‘I for one can really testify to a book that has made a difference to my whole existence, which helped me to see things in a certain way from the start.... Of all the stories I have read, it remains the most real, the most realistic, in the exact sense of the phrase the most like life. It is called The Princess and the Goblin, and is by George MacDonald.‘
—G.K. Chesterton.

©2007 Assembled Stories (P)2007 Assembled Stories

Inspired the The Inklings and Readers Today

George Macdonald is a must for anyone fighting the facedown, feed-it-it-to-me culture and looking to inspire imagination. Read all of his works and often! The narrator did an appropriate job conveying the story. The musical interludes at chapter breaks helped infuse the whimsy into the sorry. May all hearts who hear this work be expanded!

great reading of a great story

Excellent book and the narrator did an excellent job of conveying tones and keeping you interested.

great children's book

it was a good old fashion children's fairie story, not super complex but not cliche and doesn't try to be all encompassing. refreshing adventure

A Classic Fairy Tale for All Ages

I don't normally read "chldren's literature, and was drawn to George MacDonald only because C.S. Lewis and Tolkien had expressed admiration for him. Now I see why: his rich, often offbeat, Celtic imagination, his charming story full of mythic symbols, the sense of invisible worlds being very real, but only to those who are open to them, and the lessons learned by the characters, all make this a truly exceptional tale. In my opinion, it's far superior to Harry Potter, for example. partly because of its profound moral and mythic insight. The characters in this story learn lessons in a way that is not at all didactic, and certainly not "Victorian." A total delight for (to borrow a phrase from Harold Bloom) intelligent children of all ages.

Awesome story of faith

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! It is such a great illustration of all the reasons we struggling to truly have faith in the unseen.

What other book might you compare The Princess and the Goblin to and why?

It was reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia-written for children yet there are so many layers of meaning that you can't truly appreciate it until you are an adult.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Princess was with her grandmother-such a beautiful picture of the peace that comes when we are truly 'home."

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the Princess is trying to introduce Curdy to her grandmother and he cannot see her.

Any additional comments?

This is a powerful, beautiful story and highly entertaining. I plan to share it with my kids.

Charming and fun

If you gets through the first couple chapters they’ll love it, and any grown with a fondness fir fantasy will love it right away. Also, this is the better version of the two available on Audible.

amazing story

what an amazing writer and story, found it hard to put down/stop. a story with substance, excitement, danger and bravery.

Enjoyable

Fun story, well narrated. Has some depth and cleverness to it. Easy listening, I liked it and I'm in my late 20s. Good Christian morals discussed and explored

A Classic Fairytale from a Deep Heart

What made the experience of listening to The Princess and the Goblin the most enjoyable?

great performance

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Princess and the Goblin?

the princess meeting her grandmother

What about Peter Joyce’s performance did you like?

excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

not quite

Any additional comments?

been meaning to download the sequel and listen to At the Back Of The North Wind again, wow what a wonderful production

stupendous

what a story!!! so many pictures of belief, the kindness and tender care of God, and how to be a truly good princess and young man with integrity.