The Catalysts of Salvation: Curdie and the Great-Grandmother

George MacDonald’s imaginative genius directly shaped the landscape of modern fantasy. He was a close friend and mentor to Lewis Carroll, and it was MacDonald’s enthusiastic family that persuaded Carroll to publish "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

At its core, is a story about the power of bravery, friendship, and determination in the face of adversity. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, with the kind and courageous Irene and Curdie representing the light, and the goblins embodying the darkness.

The story's main plot unfolds as follows:

Princess Irene, a kind and gentle soul, becomes embroiled in the conflict when she discovers a secret passage in her nursery that leads to the goblin's underground lair. There, she encounters the goblins, including the particularly nasty and power-hungry, Gob. Meanwhile, Curdie, a rough-around-the-edges but brave and loyal young man, begins to uncover the goblins' sinister plans.

Lewis openly stated that he regarded MacDonald as his master. The concept of the mystical grandmother heavily influenced the character of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia , and the themes of unseen spiritual warfare permeate Lewis’s theological fiction.

The story has been adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and animated series, cementing its place in popular culture. The character of Irene, in particular, has become an iconic figure in children's literature, inspiring countless young readers with her courage, kindness, and determination.

MacDonald was also a close friend and mentor to Lewis Carroll, whose Alice's Adventures in Wonderland owes a debt to MacDonald's enthusiastic approval and encouragement. The story was first published as a serial in the magazine Good Words for the Young , with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Arthur Hughes, before being released as a complete novel in 1872.

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