Phantastes by George MacDonald

Phantastes is a fantasy novel written by George MacDonald and published in 1858. The story follows the adventures of Anodos, who enters a magical world filled with strange creatures and enchanted forests. Along his journey, he encounters various obstacles and challenges that test his courage and faith. The book is known for its vivid imagery and allegorical themes, which explore the nature of good and evil, love and sacrifice, and the power of imagination.

By George MacDonald · First published 1858 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Romance · 25 chapters · 80,700 words

First lines

"A spirit. The undulating and silent well, And rippling rivulet, and evening gloom, Now deepening the dark shades, for speech assuming, Held commune with him; as if he and it Were all that was. " SHELLEY'S _Alastor_.

What this Textopian page supports

Phantastes is listed on Textopian as a novel by George MacDonald, dated 1858 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: George MacDonald
• Date: 1858 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Romance, Adventure, Gothic
• Length: 80,700 words
• Structure: 25 chapters, 974 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Phantastes by George MacDonald
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Phantastes?
• How does this novel by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• In The Night by George Macdonald
• The History Of Photogen And Nycteris A Day And Night Maehrchen by George Macdonald
• The Faun by Frederic Manning
• The Wild Knight And Other Poems Cyclopean by G. K. Chesterton
• A Song In A Dream by George Macdonald
• Words In The Night by George Macdonald

Genres

• Fantasy — The book is primarily a fantasy novel, featuring a dreamlike journey through a mystical realm filled with magical creatures and landscapes.
• Allegory — The narrative contains allegorical elements, exploring themes of personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, and the nature of reality.
• Romance — Romantic elements are present in the protagonist's quest and interactions, highlighting themes of love and desire.
• Adventure — The plot follows an adventurous journey through an unknown and fantastical world, filled with challenges and discoveries.

Tags

fantasy · allegory · mythical · dreamlike · imagination · self-discovery · spirituality · adventure · romance · nature · fairy tale · mysticism

Contents

• CHAPTER I
• CHAPTER II
• CHAPTER III
• CHAPTER IV
• CHAPTER V
• CHAPTER VI
• CHAPTER VII
• CHAPTER VIII
• CHAPTER IX
• CHAPTER X
• CHAPTER XI
• CHAPTER XII
• CHAPTER XIII
• CHAPTER XIV
• CHAPTER XV
• CHAPTER XVI
• CHAPTER XVII
• CHAPTER XVIII
• CHAPTER XIX
• CHAPTER XX
• CHAPTER XXI
• CHAPTER XXII
• CHAPTER XXIII
• CHAPTER XXIV
• CHAPTER XXV

More by George MacDonald

• The Golden Key (1867)
• At the Back of the North Wind (1871)
• The Light Princess (1864)
• The Cruel Painter (1875)
• The Castle (1870)
• The Wow o'Riven (1874)
• The Broken Swords (1954)
• The Gray Wolf (1864)
• All works by George MacDonald