Phantastes was given to me by my younger sister. It is the fourth book by George Macdonald that I have read, and it lived up to my expectations. Macdonald wastes no time from taking you from the mundane to the extraordinary. The main character is a young man named Anados. He embarks on a mysterious and glorious expedition through Faerie Land. In his wanderings he encounters dangers, beauties, wisdom, love, and music in marvelous settings. He meets enchanted trees, spirited children, lowly ogres, sub-terrestrial goblins, lovely maidens, dancing statues, stately knights, and greedy trolls. It is quite an adventure.
Macdonald distinguishes himself from other fantasy writers by incorporating both prose and poetry into his works. His rich language provides a vivid experience for the reader; poems and songs enhance his storytelling. Macdonald even takes time to include short stories into his text. For instance, Anodos wanders into a castle's library and spends countless days reading the books he finds. As the narrator, he recounts a poem and a story which were meaningful to him. Rather than detracting from the main plot, these asides elevate his version of traditional-style fairy tales. My favorite attribute of Macdonald’s writing style is how his stories are subtly infused with Christian faith. I will not give away the ending, but he gives a wonderful interpretation on death and afterlife. It is simply beautiful and makes me ever so hopeful for a life after death like the one he has imagined.
This perhaps should not be one’s first exposure to George Macdonald. It was for my sister, and it did not quite appeal to her the way it would to a seasoned Macdonald reader. I recommend At the Back of the North Wind or The Princess and the Goblins (if fairy tales intrigue you). Both are great reads for those who love imaginative fiction. Save Phantastes for your second or third Macdonald read.
No comments:
Post a Comment