Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: High School


After loving The Princess and The Goblin and The Princess and Curdie, I was really excited to see what was in Phantastes, especially after reading claims it was one of GM’s best. But I have to admit I was disappointed. Maybe because it was intended for an older (more insightful?) audience; it just didn’t have that same sweetness or innocence.

Concerns:

  • Romantic references
  • Less redemptive analogies with deeper lessons (or they were just too deep for me).
  • The main character seems always compelled to do this or that (typically with bad consequences), and never heeded warnings. It just seemed to reiterate sinful natures instead of listening to wisdom and overcoming.

Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend this. I made it about halfway and couldn’t even finish the book. GM’s imagination is still great, but I didn’t like how the main character lacked the pluck to do what was right or listen to wisdom.