http://stmarkreformed.org/pastors-page/off-the-shelf-phantastes/ Serving Christ and the world through liturgy, mission, and community. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:59:16 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://stmarkreformed.org/pastors-page/off-the-shelf-phantastes/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Brian McLain Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:07:58 +0000 http://stmarkreformed.org/?p=566#comment-43 I almost had the exact same reaction as you. I read this a few years ago after reading that this was a huge influence on C.S. Lewis. Needless to say, I was a little surprised by how cumbersome the story was, but I pressed on because of Lewis' high praise. I noticed some interesting themes - including the nod to The Fairie Queene - which I had read just previously to this. I too anticipate reading this again sometime soon with the hopes that a few years between readings will lead to a little more enlightenment and appreciation. We've been recently reading MacDonald's more children friendly works like The Princess and the Goblin, and the girls have really enjoyed them, so hopefully these will help when I return to Phantastes. I almost had the exact same reaction as you. I read this a few years ago after reading that this was a huge influence on C.S. Lewis. Needless to say, I was a little surprised by how cumbersome the story was, but I pressed on because of Lewis’ high praise. I noticed some interesting themes – including the nod to The Fairie Queene – which I had read just previously to this. I too anticipate reading this again sometime soon with the hopes that a few years between readings will lead to a little more enlightenment and appreciation. We’ve been recently reading MacDonald’s more children friendly works like The Princess and the Goblin, and the girls have really enjoyed them, so hopefully these will help when I return to Phantastes.

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