The Princess and The Goblin and The Goblin and the Grocer

Written by George MacDonald and Hans Christian Andersen

Narrated by Alison Larkin

“I do not write for children, but for the childlike, whether of five or fifty or seventy-five.” — George MacDonald

The Princess and the Goblin, first published in 1872, was one of the very first fantasy novels and had a strong influence on the work of Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Fans of fantasy-fiction love it to this day.

Eight-year-old Princess Irene lives in a remote mountainous region with no one but her nursemaid for company. Then she meets a mysterious old woman and Curdie, a young miner. Meanwhile, deep in the heart of the earth beneath her lurk grotesque and hideous creatures seeking vengeance against human kind.

The Goblin and the Grocer by Hans Christian Andersen is a short fairy story about a very different sort of goblin who must choose between poetry and an edible Christmas treat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alison Larkin Presents
• Release date: Apr 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944785048

George MacDonald

George MacDonald (1824 – 1905) was a Scottish-born novelist and poet. He grew up in a religious home influenced by various sects of Christianity. He attended University of Aberdeen, where he graduated with a degree in chemistry and physics. After experiencing a crisis of faith, he began theological training and became minister of Trinity Congregational Church. Later, he gained success as a writer penning fantasy tales such as Lilith, The Light Princess and At the Back of the North Wind. MacDonald became a well-known lecturer and mentor to various creatives including Lewis Carroll who famously wrote, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland fame.

Reviews for The Princess and The Goblin and The Goblin and the Grocer

[girlblossom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent reader and incredible story, especially fascinating given its age. I appreciated the second short story juxtaposed with it. Thank you!