First Line Friday #39: The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald

Thanks to Carrie at
Reading is My Superpower
for the Link-up

 

 

Title:  The Princess and Curdie
Author:  George MacDonald
Genre: Children's Fantasy

    〰First Line〰

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Curdie was the son of Peter the miner. He lived with his father and mother in a cottage built on a mountain, and he worked with his father inside the mountain.

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Synopsis:  (From Goodreads) 

Curdie, the miner’s son, meets a mysterious wise woman who gives him a magical gift and sends him off on a dangerous journey to the city of Gwyntystorm, where the king resides. On his way, Curdie meets with strange creatures and makes unlikely friends, before uncovering a great threat to the king’s household and the whole kingdom. Will he and the Princess Irene be able to avert disaster? What will the fate of Gwyntystorm be? In this classic tale of adventure, George MacDonald weaves his storytelling magic—the same enchantment which has inspired many noteworthy fantasy writers over the past century, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. If you’re a fan of Narnia and Middle Earth, you’ll find in MacDonald’s stories many elements which are at once familiar and entirely unique. Enjoy these beautifully designed editions—again and again—or share the wonder of "The Princess and Curdie" with someone special.

〰First Thoughts〰

One of my favorite YouTube channels is Malcolm Guite's channel.  I was introduced to his writings during my studies at Colorado Christian University.  He mainly films from his study where he shares gems from his own writings as well as insights on his favorites authors.  One of his favorites is the Scottish-born fantasy author and poet George MacDonald (I've included one of Guite's videos below).  MacDonald's writings have also been mentioned by C. S. Lewis as part of the reason he became a Christian.  Hearing all this--plus a recent reading of one of his biographies-got me curious about his writings.  Then I remembered that a friend had given me a copy of The Princes and Curdie.  

My only trepidation about reading this is my fear of not understanding it.  From what I have observed from scholars and experts on MacDonald, his writings can be convoluted and difficult to decipher.  I'll have to employ the same strategy with this volume as I did when I made my third (and finally successful) attempt to read through all the Chronicles of Narnia series last year--don't get bogged down with trying to find a deeper meaning; just be a kid and enjoy the story for what it is. 

 〰Last Thoughts〰

Book completed 11/28/25
Rating:  ✮✮✮✮ stars
Conclusion:  For my first romp into MacDonald's work, this was a fun read.  As I stated in my "first thoughts" section, I purposefully enjoyed the story without going "brainiac nerd" on it.  If MacDonald embedded any deep spiritual imagery into this story, I'll have to learn it from someone else.  I simply had fun.  On a side note, while I was surprised by the lack of a "and they lived happily ever after" type ending, I also enjoyed MacDonald's not succumbing to the trope.  

 

So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?

Orange is the New Chicken: The Weekly Digest and Hodgepodge

Looking out the window....

People here in Colorado are hollering about needing to go to Aspen or upstate to see the fall colors.  Hey, y'all, just walk around the block.

This is the last of the Hibiscus blooms before a wind storm took them all away.

I don't know whose kitty this is, but he (or she) sure is pretty.

 There's sill more fall beauty around town...

These Dahlias were putting on a show in my friend Diana's neighborhood
before our first frost.

These were in a planter box in front of the Panda Express on Colfax.

I was heading home on a Sunday and got this shot while waiting at a stop light
on N. Speer Blvd. in Denver.  This may have been their last soiree before heading south.

As frost starts to zap the colorful blooms and fall foliage, I'm thinking about what kind of beauty I can find during the colder months.

Favorite quote(s) of the week... 

 

God will give us full assurance and close communion with Himself, as well as access into all truth, and boldness with power at the mercy seat. If we do not have these, it is from our lack of faith to receive, and not from any unwillingness of God to give. A calm and heavenly disposition, great patience, and fervent love – all these will He give as a result of holy diligence. - Charles Spurgeon, Faith's Checkbook, p. 321. 

 

In Authoritative Prayer we are calling forth the will of the Father upon the earth. Here we are not so much speaking to God as speaking for God. We are not asking God to do something; rather, we are using the authority of God to command something done. - Richard J. Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home, p. 419. 

 

It's hard to make pain smooth, and jazz doesn't attempt to do so. Consequently, a jazz-shaped faith knows how to redeem pain. It recognizes that it is fashioned in the circumstances that cause the heart to ache. When we sanitize suffering, we create a soulless faith. - Pastor Robert Gelinas, Finding the Groove, p. 130. 

 

I have achieved my 70 years in the usual way-- by sticking strictly to a scheme of life which would kill anybody else. It sounds like an exaggeration, but that is really the common rule for attaining to old age. - Mark Twain, Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living, 2:40:24 in audiobook version. 

 

I'm thinking about...

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 623.

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What does abundance mean to you? 

To me, abundance is being well cared for along with the ability and willingness to help care for others.   Being well cared for doesn't mean overconsuming for the sake of ostentation (being bougie); it means having what is needed when it is needed without having to go into crisis mode to handle the need, and having some of the things we want (within reason). 

I also think that like rich, abundance is relative to experience.  I was having coffee with a friend and we were discussing (of all things) credit cards.  

No, I'm not going to go all Dave Ramsey here....this time. 😁

She described her upbringing as middle-class, not rich.  Because of my experiences, I told her that for me middle class is rich.  So, it's all relative. 

What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

I don't have a specific memory; it's more of the "back to school" feeling. As I said here, a few traditions spark the feeling such as buying school supplies and new (or at least new to me) clothes and shoes.  As a teacher--even though I teach online--that feeling hasn't left.  I'm still working to start new traditions that scratch that "back to school" itch.

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 624. 

What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'? 

Umm... actually watching paint dry.  Hey, I'm an artist; what else did you expect?   😁

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 625.  

Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

Orange is not my favorite color.  I know, that's blasphemy in Broncos county (and with friends and family who are Auburn, Tennessee, and Clemson fans), but my mediocre response to the color isn't team related.  Like yellow, certain shades of orange do not look good on me because of the undertones of my skin.  So, I don't have orange-colored clothing (save the orange dress my sister Ida gave me--it's a darker burnt orange, so I like how it looks).  Some of the orange items I do love are fall leaves and flowers.

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 626.  

What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth?  

• Candy bar:  Snickers
• Hard candy:  Butterscotch disks or Werther's Originals
• Fancy candy:  Dove milk chocolate
• Homemade candy:  Crockpot candy.  The recipe I use is here (minus the sprinkles)

I certainly have a sweet tooth.  For health reasons, I have to reign it in like taming a spoiled child in the Wal-Mart toy section; I let her have something once in a while, but the rest of time the answer is no regardless of the fit she pitches. 

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 627.   

What's a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so?  

Pumpkin-spiced lattes.  I know, I know, 'tis the season, but ew!  As sugary as Starbucks drinks are, it doesn't put a dent in the bitterness of pumpkin spice.   

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 628.

A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

Give Thanks by Don Moen

  

 Thankful Heart by Petra

From Hodgepodge questions:  Volume 629. 

Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately? 

I joke all the time about my patio door that doesn't go anywhere.  As much as I hope our building owners buck up and build patios/balconies for all of us on the ends of the buildings who don't have them (we pay enough rent; they can more than afford it without jacking up our rent), I turned the annoyance into a feature.  I treat it as a big picture window.  It gives plenty of light in my living/dining area.

What I've read since the last digest...

• The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn  ✮✮✮✮  (a glorious reread)
• Prayer:  Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster ✮✮✮✮   
• Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer  ✮✮✮1/2
• C. S. Lewis:  A Biography of Friendship by Colin Duriez  ✮✮✮✮   
• Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney ✮✮✮1/2 
• Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall ✮✮✮1/2 (Category:  Kiddie Lit)
• The Quilt by Gary Paulsen ✮✮✮✮
• A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards  by George M. Marsden ✮✮✮✮
• Finding the Groove by Robert Gelinas ✮✮ (Please see my review here). 
• Augustine for Armchair Theologians by Stephen A. Cooper ✮✮✮✮
• Calvin for Armchair Theologians by Christopher Elwood ✮✮✮✮
• Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living by Lin Salmo (Ed.) ✮✮✮✮
• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking ✮1/2
• Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson  ✮✮✮✮
• Why I am a Christian by John Stott  ✮✮✮1/2  

I'm currently reading...

• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
• The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis by Jason M. Baxter 
• Mansions of the Heart by R. Thomas Ashbrook 
• Streams of Living Water by Richard J. Foster 
• Faith's Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon

Recent blog posts...

• My latest book review on Finding the Groove by Robert Gelinas is here.
• My previous digest, "Trail Blazer'" is here.
  
• Puppy Power:  The Weekly Hodgepodge is here. 
• My "25 for 2025" challenge is here. (Updated regularly)
• My "I Can Only Blame MyShelf" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly). 

From the Workshop... 

"Hibiscus 01"

 

This is one of the quilts I made with the Loving Stitches ministry.
I don't know the recipient, but her daughter-in-law let us know that she loved her gift.

I am thankful for...

• God's protection and provision.  
• An honest, trustworthy mechanic.
• My therapist.
• My support group. 
• The lovely fall we've had here in Colorado. 
• My class is finished and I can now relax and enjoy the holidays.
• The great people with which I work.
• I'm thankful that our lead pastor had a great time away on sabbatical.  His new sermon series has been intriguing.  
• The cathartic and creative nature of journaling.