Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women

The Light Princess (1864)

The royal princess is cursed with lightness. If only she could be made to cry, she might regain her gravity, but it seems nothing can bring her back to earth.

The Golden Key (1867)

A young boy searches for a golden key in a forest in Fairy Land while bears chase a neglected little girl from her home. Together, they search for the keyhole that fits the key.

At the Back of the North Wind (1871)

A boy named Diamond travels with Lady North Wind.

• SuperSummary Study Guide At the Back of the North Wind

The Princess and the Goblin (1872)

Sweet Princess Irene is chased by goblins and rescued by Curdie, a little miner boy. Later, Curdie is captured, and Irene rescues him. Curdie then saves the kingdom from the goblin schemes.

• SuperSummary Study Guide The Princess and the Goblin

The Wise Woman (The Lost Princess) (1875)

A wise woman steals two spoiled little girls—a princess and a shepherd’s daughter—from their parents and tries to teach them better ways.

The Princess and Curdie (1883)

Sequel to The Princess and the Goblin. Curdie and Princess Irene save Irene’s father from his treacherous ministers.

Lilith (1895)

One of MacDonald’s darkest stories, about life, death, salvation, and the afterlife.