Wonderful antidote to superficial contemporary culture.
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My parents read me this book when I was about 8. I adored it then because of the story. Currently I am reading it to my two boys (ages 7 and 10). They seem to be enjoying it every bit as much as I did 30 years ago. Rereading as an adult the book seems even better than I had remembered as a child.
Why is this book so good? For children, the plot grips like a vice. Although it is fantastic there is a real credibility about the way it illuminates human nature. For adults, this book reconnects us with those values that contribute most to our lives: honesty, loyalty, faith and courage in an original and refreshing manner (even though it was first published in 1882).
The language is old fashioned and quite difficult to read out loud however this has in no way dampened my sons enthusiasm for the story. Older readers will find the Victorian language adds beauty and authenticity.
If you are looking for a cracking good book to read out loud to children that will connect them with good values in a refreshing and imaginative way, you cannot do better than "The Princess and Curdie".
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Even better than the first
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One of the few sequels better than its predecessor, this is a beautiful fairy tale about a young boy who saves a kingdom from its greed and selfishness. George MacDonald has taken a more social turn in this book in comparison to the first, "The Princess and the Goblin", dealing with human nature in a most clever way. It's only a fairy tale, of course; but it's one of my favorites.
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