Princess and the Goblin

Little-known fairy tale

that''s full of girl power . . . An accidentally feminist work of children''s literature.

A great influence on Lewis Carroll, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L''Engle, Scottish author George MacDonald wrote this beloved fantasy in 1872.

Princess Irene is given a magical ring by her great-great-grandmother, who lives in a secret room in her father''s palace. Curdie, a boy who works in the mines, learns that the goblins who live underground intend to kidnap Irene and marry her off to the goblin prince. As events unfold, a thread attached to Irene''s ring connecting her to Curdie may be the only thing that will bring them both safely home . . .

Reviews

"A rich, vibrant tale." —Star Tribune

"The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie are two of the most unusual and haunting fairy tales ever written." —The Guardian