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Phantastes by George MacDonald

PostPosted: September 1st, 2007, 8:05 pm
by Adastra

Phantastes

PostPosted: September 2nd, 2007, 3:18 am
by Kanakaberaka
It's been a few years since I read George MacDonald's Phantastes. But images from this book remain in my memory even though the general outline of the story has faded. Then again, the story was rather rambling. It was the impressions along the way that mattered. I still remember the protagonist enjoying a library inhabited by invisible elves. And a sorceress who appeared to be beautiful from the front, yet appeared to be a rotting log from behind.

PostPosted: September 3rd, 2007, 12:38 am
by rusmeister

PostPosted: September 3rd, 2007, 1:06 am
by Rosie Cotton

PostPosted: September 4th, 2007, 12:59 pm
by David Jack
i've only read phantastes once, but that was a few months back so it's still fresh in my memory. i have to say i think it was an astounding book, though it would be difficult to say exactly what it 'did to me'. it certainly affected me on an emotional level most of all, sometimes so deeply as to be beyond analysing (at least for now) but probably the predominant feeling it produced was that of comfort. of course you have to empathise with anodos in his times of heartache before you can sense the comfort, but the scene where he lies down under the shade of the beech tree, and the chapter in the cottage where he is ministered to by the old woman had the profoundest influence on me. i have mentioned this before on the forums but the latter example (which takes place in chapter 19) immediately made me think of 'the peace that passes all understanding' and, ironically, made me understand that expression more than i ever had before. and of course because it impacts one on such a subconscious level, i can totally understand the whole 'baptism of the imagination' concept.

PostPosted: September 13th, 2007, 11:52 am
by David Jack

What a Kicker

PostPosted: September 13th, 2007, 4:46 pm
by Kanakaberaka

PostPosted: September 17th, 2007, 2:21 pm
by Robert

PostPosted: January 19th, 2008, 5:58 am
by Jill-at-the-Well
I read both Phantastes and Lillith a little less than a year ago. I, also, remember little of the plot of Phantastes, but remember the impression of loveliness and imagination, of dreamy forms and fairytales, of bravery and doubt, of hope and peace and sanctification. Perhaps the dearest part was the mirror story. When I finished that section I went and read it over again straight away, grateful that I, unlike Lucy, was able to do so.

Lillith I remember in more detail. I found it very gripping, perhaps because I identified with the title character (as odd as that is...) I also loved the images of sanctification.

I kinda want to reread them now...

PostPosted: January 21st, 2008, 5:59 am
by The Pfifltrigg
I'm with Jill-at-the-Well in a lot of ways. Phantastes was good and full of lovely imagery, but disjointed. I remember the shadow that dogged Anodos' steps and the cottage with four doors (and the old woman there), and a few other things y'all mentioned, but its lack of apparent coherence weakened it for me. I much preferred Mr. Vane's library in Lilith, and the adventures there, because the story hung together so well. Sure, I disagree with his theological points in a few key spots, but as a whole it is the better of the two books.

PostPosted: January 22nd, 2008, 6:12 am
by Jill-at-the-Well

PostPosted: January 23rd, 2008, 4:11 am
by The Pfifltrigg
The main issue (in Lilith) was the universalism: even the devil will get to heaven in the end. Most of it was just fine and rather fun, if a bit surreal.

PostPosted: January 23rd, 2008, 4:34 am
by Jill-at-the-Well
Hmm. Does it really say that the devil will be saved? Lillith wasn't the devil, you know - at least that wasn't how I saw it. I wish I had that book with me...

PostPosted: January 27th, 2008, 6:24 am
by The Pfifltrigg
The Shadow, who comes into the story from time to time and is more evil than Lilith, if possible, but incorporeal to the point that Mr. Vane rides right through him (by God's help) in one scene, is the representation of Lucifer in the novel Lilith, and probably also in Phantastes, although he plays a different role in the latter. There's a comment, late in the book, to the effect that in the end (but not likely before), even the Shadow will be redeemed.

PostPosted: January 27th, 2008, 12:44 pm
by nomad