The Light Princess

by George MacDonald, Mint Editions (Contribution by)

Overview

Originally published in 1864, this story centers a young princess who’s cursed with the inability to touch the ground, but still finds love and happiness. The Light Princess is about sacrifice and redemption, while facing unsurmountable odds.

When a witch isn’t invited to a royal christening, she curses the child with a “loss of gravity.” The young princess constantly floats on air and can only find relief while in water. Due to her circumstance, she remains figuratively and literally distant. This becomes a greater problem when her family discovers the only way to break the curse is through tears. The princess must experience the power of love and loss before she can finally be free.

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The Light Princess is one of George MacDonald’s most notable works. It’s been adapted across multiple mediums including a musical with songs from award-winning artist, Tori Amos. It’s a children’s tale that delivers a compassionate message with a unique narrative.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Light Princess is both modern and readable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513277509
Publisher:	Mint Editions
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Series:	Mint Editions (Fantasy and Fairytale)
Pages:	50
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

George MacDonald (1824 – 1905) was a Scottish-born novelist and poet. He grew up in a religious home influenced by various sects of Christianity. He attended University of Aberdeen, where he graduated with a degree in chemistry and physics. After experiencing a crisis of faith, he began theological training and became minister of Trinity Congregational Church. Later, he gained success as a writer penning fantasy tales such as Lilith, The Light Princess and At the Back of the North Wind. MacDonald became a well-known lecturer and mentor to various creatives including Lewis Carroll who famously wrote, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland fame.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-6-George MacDonald's classic (Harcourt, 1988) is given the royal treatment in this full-cast production. Due to a curse at birth, the princess is all lightness-light of body, without emotion, and incapable of feeling for another person. The only thing she cares about is the water that allows her to be grounded rather than floating up in the air as she does on land. The evil witch empties the lake and the princess falls into decline. Only a man who voluntarily gives up his life can restore the lake and help the princess. Cynthia Bishop is a superb narrator with a wonderful ability to convey MacDonald's wisdom and wryness. The most striking thing about this recording is that the songs in the text have been put to music and are sung by Adam Wahlberg. The combination of his beautiful voice and the lovely lyrics is truly heartbreaking-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

For [this] elegant edition of the Victorian story that combines seriousness with levity and farce with fantasy, the artist has created pictures that...present the ludicrous element of the story; then become poetic and romantic; and finally are climaxed by the last crowning revelation of the light princess humanized by sorrow and love.” —Starred, The Horn Book

From the Publisher

Imagine a princess lighter than air--physically and emotionally--who continually needs help to stay earthbound. This version of MacDonald’s witty classic is, unfortunately, unabridged: “not one single sentence has been omitted.” This means that all the unnecessary and boring parts of MacDonald’s story are there. It becomes a long, drawn-out story, in which everything ends up feeling extreme--too many words, too long pauses, too much inflection--making the characters seem one-dimensional and unsympathetic. The full cast helps differentiate the characters, but it’s hard to work up much compassion for any of them. This production may be good for an adult theology lesson, but not for children’s entertainment. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

DEC 06/JAN 07 - AudioFile