Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Early Elementary, Mid-Elementary, Late Elementary, All ages

This classic tale is so full of loveliness. Readers encounter themes of faith: faith in friends; faithfulness to one’s calling; and faith in what we once believed to be true. Imagine the goodness and depth of the Lord of the Rings with less gore. It is no wonder, as author George MacDonald was an influence of other great Christian fantasy writers such as C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.

Possible Concerns:

  • Violence: The story has real danger but there is honor in it.  For example, Curdie is attacked by goblins and does not wish to do them permanent harm when he fights them off until he is in real danger. He often uses a sweeter battle plan, such as when he fights the goblins by singing riddles (which drives them crazy), or stamping on their feet. The goblins plan on letting him starve to death or eating him, but he is rescued by a brave and faithful princess.
  • Magic. I know some families don’t like their kids to read about magic, but I’d suggets that this is very akin to Narnia where the magic helps illustrate deeper truths.

Things I liked:

  • Royalty: A princess is defined to be simply a daughter of a king, and the author states that there are many princesses in the world who don’t act like them.  It has a strong connection to our own faith; how we are children of God who need to step in and live into our identities.
  • Imperfection: The princess is very fallible yet very brave and faithful. 
  • Faith vs. fear or disbelief: The princess follows her faith right into a dark mountain and ends up rescuing her friend. When he doesn’t believe her she continues to follow her faith and urge him to join her. He has little other choice, and at times she’s frustrated that her friend doesn’t see it the way she so easily does. This has connections to how some of us believe quite easily while others aren’t so quick to follow.
*See also my review of the sequel, The Princess and Curdie.
*You may wish to also check out this book's review on ChristianParentReviews.com: https://christianparentreviews.com/book-reviews/The-Princess-and-the-Goblin

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think of yourself as a prince or princess? Are you one? In what ways do you see yourself not stepping into your identity?

2. Curdie doesn’t believe Irene but follows her out of the mountain nevertheless.  Have you ever needed to have faith in someone else? What happened when you followed them?

3. Irene follows the string into a dangerous place, but the thread leads her out.  Have you ever felt led to a dangerous or uncomfortable situation? Were you led out of it? 

4. Irene is frustrated that Curdie can’t see the thread or see her grandmother.  Have you ever had faith and been frustrated when others’ didn’t?  Or, have you ever not had faith and had others be frustrated with you about it?  What can be done in either situation?

Bottom line: Strong themes of faith and courage make this classic a gem. Violence is minimal (e.g., the goblins talk of eating Curdie) and wars are fought mainly by singing verse and stomping on goblins’ sensitive toes. Romance is minimal (the princess gives Curdie a kiss). I would definitely love to have this on my own bookshelf (no parent supervision needed).