The Princess and the Goblin

The Princess and the Goblin is a fantasy novel written by George MacDonald in 1872. The story follows an eight-year-old princess named Irene who lives with her nursemaid, Lootie, in a remote mountain kingdom ruled by her father, the king. One day, while exploring the castle's labyrinthine passages, Irene encounters a mysterious old man who claims to be her great-great-grandfather and warns her of an impending danger from the goblins that live underground. As she continues to explore the castle, Irene discovers a hidden staircase leading down into the depths of the earth where she meets Curdie, a young miner who has been sent by his father to investigate strange noises coming from the mines. Together, they uncover a plot by the goblins to kidnap the princess and take over the kingdom. With the help of her great-great-grandfather and other magical creatures, Irene and Curdie must use their wits and courage to defeat the goblins and save the day.

By George MacDonald · First published 1872 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 32 chapters · 60,670 words

First lines

There was once a little princess whose father was king over a great country full of mountains and valleys. His palace was built upon one of the mountains, and was very grand and beautiful. The princess, whose name was Irene, was born there, but she was sent soon after her birth, because her mother was not very strong, to be brought up by country people in a large house, half castle, half farmhouse, on the side of another mountain, about half-way between its base and its peak.

What this Textopian page supports

The Princess and the Goblin is listed on Textopian as a novel by George MacDonald, dated 1872 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: 1872 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Fairy Tale, Allegory
• Length: 60,670 words
• Structure: 32 chapters, 1,255 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Princess and the Goblin 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 The Princess and the Goblin?
• 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

• The Princess And Curdie by George Macdonald
• The Yellow Dwarf by Dinah Mulock
• Puss In Boots Jr And The Good Gray Horse by David Cory
• The White Cat by Gelett Burgess
• The Saint And The Goblin by Saki
• Little One Eye Little Two Eyes And Little Three Eyes by Dinah Mulock

Genres

• Fantasy — The book features a magical world with fantastical creatures such as goblins and a princess, central to the plot.
• Children's Literature — The narrative is crafted for a young audience, with themes and language suitable for children.
• Adventure — The story involves a journey and various adventures undertaken by the characters, driving the plot forward.
• Fairy Tale — The book incorporates elements typical of fairy tales, including a moral lesson and a magical setting.

Tags

fantasy · adventure · children's literature · fairy tale · magic · courage · friendship · goblins · princess · heroism · imagination · moral lessons

Contents

• Why the Princess has a Story about Her
• The Princess Loses Herself
• The Princess and -- we Shall See Who
• What the Nurse Thought of It
• The Princess Lets Well Alone
• The Little Miner
• The Mines
• The Goblins
• The Hall of the Goblin Palace
• The Princess's King-Papa
• The Old Lady's Bedroom
• A Short Chapter about Curdie
• The Cobs' Creatures
• That Night Week
• Woven and then Spun
• The Ring
• Springtime
• Curdie's Clue
• Goblin Counsels
• Irene's Clue
• The Escape
• The Old Lady and Curdie
• Curdie and his Mother
• Irene Behaves Like a Princess
• Curdie Comes to Grief
• The Goblin-Miners
• The Goblins in the King's House
• Curdie's Guide
• Masonwork
• The King and the Kiss
• The Subterranean Waters
• The Last Chapter

More by George MacDonald

• The Golden Key (1867)
• At the Back of the North Wind (1871)
• Phantastes (1858)
• The Light Princess (1864)
• The Cruel Painter (1875)
• The Castle (1870)
• The Wow o'Riven (1874)
• The Broken Swords (1954)
• All works by George MacDonald