
Phantastes
by George MacDonald · first published 1850
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One of George MacDonald's most important works, Phantastes is the story of a young man named Anotos and his long dreamlike journey in Fairy Land. It is the fairy tale of deep spiritual insight as Anotos makes his way through moments of uncertainty and peril and mistakes that can have irreversible consequences. This is also his spiritual quest that is destined to end with the supreme surrender of the self. When he finally experiences the hard-won surrender, a wave of joy overwhelms him. His intense personal introspection is honest as he is offered the full range of symbolic choices--great beaut
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…languages, motifs from different mythologies, and images from different poetical traditions. He also mercilessly raided the writings of George MacDonald for characters and plot elements (try reading ‘Phantastes’ or ‘The Princess and the Goblin’ to appreciate just how freaking much he is indebted to him). And still the end result feels somehow original and fresh. Perhaps, one can say that Tolkien is 20th century‘s…
on “Tolkien’s Mythic Plan for England” ↗Phantastes, George MacDonald.
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago?” ↗Phantastes by George MacDonald
on “Ask HN: What are you reading these days?” ↗