In October 1857, George MacDonald wrote what he described as "a kind of fairy tale..." This was Phantastes--one of MacDonald's most important works; a work which so overwhelmed C.S. Lewis that a few hours after he began reading it he knew he "had crossed a great frontier." The book is about the narrator Anodos dream-like adventures in fairyland where he confronts tree-spirits and the shadow, sojourns to the palace of the fairy queen, and searches for the spirit of the earth. The tale is vintage MacDonald, conveying a profound sadness and a poignant longing for death.
Helpful Score: 2
An fantasy story that greatly influenced C.S. Lewis.
