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