Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women by George MacDonald, Arthur Hughes ISBN: 1-881084-22-1 Publisher: Johannesen Pub. Date: October, 1994 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.15 (20 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: I must have nodded off in the dream...
Comment: Well, much as C.S. Lewis praised this book, it just didn't really do it for me. I can see something of the style influencing his 'Great Divorce', but where I found Lewis' allegory striking and insightful, I never really felt like I got the drift of MacDonald.
Maybe it's a bit Zen - if you try to analyse you'll never get it - and I think in the book we're told not to try to think about fairyland too critically.
The book is very dreamlike, wafting around from scene to scene, all sort of making sense within the dream, but quite absurd if you step back. There are several stories within the story, but it's hardly a gripping read. It seems every character is part of an allegory, but there's rarely a stinging point. The narrator does seem to go through a process of losing his pride, but I could hardly tell you how and why it happened. There's bits and pieces of knightly chivalry and mysticism floating around, and maybe if I was immersed in things like Spenser's 'Faerie Queen' and the Arthurian tales it would have done more for me. And, sure, the guy can create and sustain a real mood, but, sorry, this leaden soul just wasn't open for whatever enchantment may or may not have been there.
Rating: 4
Summary: A difficult, but worthwhile read
Comment: After reading "Surprised by Joy" by C.S. Lewis and learning of his life changing experience with this book I decided to give it a try. I read the introduction, by Lewis, in which he states plainly that MacDonald's talent lies not in his writing style, but in his story telling ability. As I read through this novel, it became clear to me how true this statement is. I found the main difficulty in reading this book penetrating through the seemlingly average writing to the excellent imagery and story. MacDonald is a romantic author and those who like this style of writing will enjoy this book while Grisham and Clancy fans may find it slow and boring. If you thrive in a book filled with imagery and emotion, but not much action, this book would be an excellent choice.
Rating: 3
Summary: Not MacDonald's best.
Comment: This is a good and interesting book, but it does not come close to the beauty and power of Lilith, MacDonald's masterpiece. It often lacks cohesion and has no tone center. At times even the willing cannot suspend disbelief. For all that, it is well worth the read, and is full of MacDonald's typical psychic depth and spirituality. But if you only read one book by MacDonald, it should certainly be Lilith.
 |
Title: Lilith by George MacDonald ISBN: 0802860613 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: August, 1981 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
 |
Title: The Complete Fairy Tales (Penguin Classics) by George MacDonald, U. C. Knoepflmacher ISBN: 0140437371 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald, Arthur Hughes ISBN: 0140367462 Publisher: Puffin Pub. Date: March, 1997 List Price(USD): $3.99 |
 |
Title: At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald ISBN: 0812567129 Publisher: Tor Classics Pub. Date: 15 May, 1998 List Price(USD): $3.99 |
 |
Title: Diary of an Old Soul: 366 Writings for Devotional Reflection by George MacDonald ISBN: 0806627344 Publisher: Fortress Press Pub. Date: September, 1994 List Price(USD): $10.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
