THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN - A BOOK THAT INSPIRED TOLKIEN. With original illustrations. THE PROFESSOR'S BOOKSHELF #5: Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was a great admirer of George MacDonald's fairy-stories. When his children were young, he used to read The Princess and the Goblin to them in the evenings, before they went to bed. 'Tolkien knew well MacDonald's children's books "The Princess and the Goblin" and "The Princess and Curdie", both of which influenced Tolkien's depiction of goblins in The Hobbit, ' writes Douglas A. Anderson in 'Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy'. Dart-Thornton's introduction notes similarities between this story and Tolkien's works, for example: 'The wise, magical, prescient grandmother of the Princess Irene, seems to be a literary ancestor of Galadriel; centuries old and yet looking young, a queen, a healer, a beautiful, golden-haired woman associated with water. 'Princess Irene has a magic ring which is associated with invisibility, being linked to a semi-visible thread. This ring aids her in an escape from the Goblin Underground, much as The One Ring aids Bilbo.' This new edition contains ten illustrations by Jessie Willcox-Smith from the 1920 edition, which was published when Tolkien was aged 28, his eldest child John was three years old and his second child Michael had just been born. The delicately beautiful drawings of Willcox-Smith have been loved by generations of children to this very day. Also included is an illustration by Arthur Hughes from the 1911 edition.

A little princess is protected by her friend Curdie from the goblin miners who live beneath the castle. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN- A BOOK THAT INSPIRED TOLKIEN. With Original Illustrations. Professor J.R.R. Tolkien was a great admirer of George MacDonald's fairy-stories. When his children were young, he used to read The Princess and the Goblin to them in the evenings, before they went to bed. In a 1938 letter to the Observer newspaper, Tolkien stated that some ideas in The Hobbit "derived from (previously digested) epic, mythology, and fairy-story-not, however, Victorian in authorship, as a rule to which George MacDonald is the chief exception." "Tolkien knew well MacDonald's children's books 'The Princess and the Goblin' and 'The Princess and Curdie', both of which influenced Tolkien's depiction of goblins in 'The Hobbit'", writes Douglas A. Anderson in "Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy." There are many reflections of MacDonald's Princess books in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings - not least, the goblins themselves. The wise, magical, prescient grandmother of the Princess Irene, seems to be a literary ancestor of Galadriel; centuries old and yet looking young, a queen, a healer, a beautiful, golden-haired woman associated with water. Princess Irene has a magic ring which is associated with invisibility, being linked to a semi-visible thread. This ring aids her in an escape from the Goblin Underground, much as The One Ring aids Bilbo. This edition contains the delicately beautiful illustrations of Jessie Willcox Smith, much-loved by generations of children to this very day.

Embark on a journey of enchantment and imagination with Lord Dunsany's captivating collection, "The Book of Wonder." Enter a world where magic and mystery reign supreme, and fantastical adventures await at every turn. As Dunsany's spellbinding tales unfold, prepare to be transported to realms beyond imagination. From ancient lands to distant galaxies, each story is a testament to the boundless creativity and wonder of the human spirit. But here's the intriguing question that will ignite your curiosity: What wonders lie within the pages of this extraordinary book? Are they merely flights of fancy, or do they hold deeper truths about the nature of reality and the power of storytelling? Explore the realms of myth and legend as Dunsany weaves a tapestry of awe-inspiring adventures and larger-than-life characters. Whether you're a dreamer or a skeptic, there's something within these pages to spark your imagination and ignite your sense of wonder. Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the realms of fantasy and enchantment? Immerse yourself in Dunsany's captivating prose, presented in short, mesmerizing vignettes. Let his tales of magic and wonder transport you to distant lands and ignite your imagination like never before. Join the ranks of those who dare to dream and embrace the magic of storytelling. Start your journey into wonder today! Experience the magic of Lord Dunsany's timeless tales firsthand. Purchase "The Book of Wonder" now, and let the enchanting world of fantasy captivate your heart and soul. ```

From the man who influenced the minds of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L’Engle, comes a classic story about courage and overcoming evil. Follow young Princess Irene and her friend Curdie as they fight goblins who want to overthrow the kingdom. Intended for children, George MacDonald’s fantastical writing is captivating for readers of all ages.

A Classic Children's Fantasy Book that Inspired C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien! The Princess and the Goblin is a children's fantasy novel by George MacDonald. It was first published in 1872 by Strahan & Co. Eight-year-old Princess Irene lives a lonely life in a castle in a wild, desolate, mountainous kingdom, with only her nursemaid, Lootie, for company. Her father, the king, is normally absent, and her mother is dead. Unknown to her, the nearby mines are inhabited by a race of goblins, long banished from the kingdom and now anxious to take revenge on their human neighbours... A Must Read Classic for Lovers of the Fantasy Genre!