Phantastes: the book that started it all
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
- Hey TH-camrs!
Welcome back to The Piper's Mantel. Since my first fantasy novel is going to be published in the second half of this year (provided there are no delays), I just wanted to talk about the book that started it all, the book that made me want to be a writer. This book didn't just impact me; it also impacted C.S. Lewis, the author of "The Chronicles of Narnia".
The book I'm referring to is, of course, "Phantastes: A Faerie Romance" by George MacDonald. A lot of people haven't even heard of George MacDonald, but he's considered by many to be the father of modern fantasy, and the master of faerie.
Phantastes was the first fantasy novel of the modern era, out of which everything else sprung forth. The fantasy genre evokes a sense of longing for something greater than ourselves - there's something about it that forces us to take a break from ourselves, so we can then learn about ourselves.
The works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien have always remained close to my heart. But six years ago, when I stumbled upon George MacDonald's "Phantastes", it literally changed my life.
"Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, I began to read. A few hours later", said C. S. Lewis, "I knew that I had crossed a great frontier."
I completely agree with C.S. Lewis. I've read "Phantastes" several times, and I have no doubt that I'll read it many times more throughout my life. No other work of fiction has broken down my ideals like Phantastes. Exploring the human condition through fantasy or - truth through fantasy - was something that George MacDonald did best.
If, like many people, you're struggling with your own ideals, then "Phantastes" is the perfect book to break them. Not only will you have your illusions of self and worldliness destroyed, but you'll also be getting a great story, filled with adventure, action, and romance.
"Phantastes" will encourage the reader to find his/her own worth, which may be apparent to others, but not themselves. Everyone is unique, and everyone has value, which is the greatest lesson you'll learn by reading this book.
"Phantastes" is like no other book I've read, and George MacDonald's writing has a way of entering the soul, exposing it to new realities and endless possibilities!
To read "Phantastes" for free, just follow this link -
www.gutenberg....
For a hardback edition with colorized images -
www.tyndale.co...
For a paperback or eBook copy with black & white images -
store.doverpub...
You can also listen to an audiobook of "Phantastes" on TH-cam for free -
• Phantastes: A Faerie R...
If you would like to see more of these documentary-style videos about other authors, please let me know in the comments below.
I’m glad to see George MacDonald receive some measure of the attention he deserves. Phantastes is a great masterpiece, and so are the Curdie books. And he is indeed the earliest modern fantasist that I know of.
Well-said! I'm also working on a mini-doc about Tolkien, but it still needs a lot of work.
Thanks to Malcolm and to you, i have begun my journey into George MacDonald's work. Thank you
Serene piping,
Gary
You're welcome, Gary! Most of his works are now in the public domain and can be read online for free at Project Gutenberg -
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=george+macdonald&submit_search=Go%21
Also, the following website has a lot of info on George MacDonald, his works, and authors he has inspired -
www.worksofmacdonald.com/
@@thepipersmantel Many thanks for the additional information, much appreciated.
Thank you! I have just discovered George Macdonald and WOW. I have now read 4 of his books, and just finished Phantastes. Your video helped me greatly in digesting some of the book's content and made me realize I need to read it again! :)
Thank you for your kind words. Like Phantastes, many of MacDonald's books contain a lot of symbolism and allegory. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend his short story "The Golden Key". My own writing has been greatly influenced by his stories. I hope to release my first illustrated fairytale next week, which is themed around the seven deadly sins.
@@thepipersmantel Wonderful, thank you for the recommendation. It's a strange thing beginning to read faerie tales at the ripe age of almost 40! I just read Iron Hans for the first time by the Grimm Brothers. Macdonald has stirred something in my soul. My family of 6, just converted to Eastern Orthodoxy in 2021, and i will say, Macdonald has an Orthodox heart. I wonder if he would've been Orthodox had it been an option in his area rather than the staunch Calvinism he so deeply rejected. I heard that he wept when he learned about the heresy of predestination. Lord save us!
@@theoneoutofnazareth Yes, he did indeed weep when he heard about predestination. There's nothing wrong with reading fairy stories at any age. In his book called: On stories and other essays on literature, C.S. Lewis said: “When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
Great video, very well put together. Perceval was an innocent hero of purity, and could not fathom what was happening at the end. Anados had “eaten the apple” so to speak.
Well-put! Anodos, like Christ, gave his life to save many. In the end, he was able to cast aside his ideals and submit to death.
Love George MacDonald. It's been a few years since I've read his books, seems time for me to pick them up again. I also think Phantastes is my favorite. There's a depth to it that requires multiple readings. I hope more people are inspired to read his works.
I completely agree. Thanks for watching!
Great review Dan!
Thanks Dave!
Brilliant story! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊😊 I ordered the book of course 😉 Malcolm Guite has touched on George MacDonald in his YT channel too.
Thanks Lester! I'm a big fan of Malcolm Guite. I plan on doing a video review on one of his books called, "Lifting The Veil: Imagination and the Kingdom of God" at some point in the future.
Awesome Dan, really looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks Stacey!
Great work! Thanks and looking forward to more of your videos.
Thank you!
Decades ago I discovered George MacDonald with "Wee Sir Gibbie" in a children's version. Fantastic. I found a first edition of "Donal Grant" which was Gibbie's sequel. Then, as a young adult I read "The Curate's Awakening" which became my favorite.
Thanks for sharing! There's been a resurging interest in his books lately. George MacDonald certainly deserves a lot more credit than he's been given. If you're interested to see how his impact on the fantasy genre continues to this day, you might like the documentary called, "FAITH IN IMAGINATION: The Fantasy Makers", which you can watch online for free - th-cam.com/video/z8I5fJZqxfU/w-d-xo.html
Yes, I've known about your fantasy series for days and what I can say is 2 things:
1-May God guide you in this very important message that you are developing so that in the end you leave your fruit for the kingdom.
2-And it is for the first time in my life that I am waiting for a writer to publish his new book. I WILL BE VERY WAITING FOR IT and I know that you will achieve the impossible with this series of books. I pray to God that each of your books is worth the blessed worth.
Thanks and greetings from Venezuela.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words!
Thanks!!!!
Thanks for watching!
I can’t wait to take a deep delve into this author. On a side note, he reminds me of Rasputin.
The beard and hairstyle are certainly similar! I have more docu-style videos about George MacDonald currently on the backburner, so it won't be the last video I make about him.
I discovered George McDonald in C.S. Lewis' nonfiction writings. Lewis regarded him very highly, not only as a writer of fantasy, but also as a great theologian, whose theological works helped Lewis refine his own faith. Lewis compiled a collection of three hundred sixty-five extracts from McDonald's writings, published under the title "George McDonald:: An Anthology - 365 Readings". It lead me to read a large cross section of McDonald's literature in their entirety, something I'd recommend to anyone wanting to trace the influence he had on Lewis, Tolkien and Chesterton.
Hi, Jim! MacDonald's fiction and theological works have impacted me greatly, but I must admit, I haven't read Lewis' anthology you mentioned. Thanks for all the info!
Just learned about him and his book Phantastes today. Thank you for your quick introduction to him and his book Ohantastes.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
A treasury of important information .. I'm most grateful!. - seraphim
Thanks Seraphim!
cool. thanks for the spoiler alert! ;)
No worries.
Very good video! I discovered MacDonald earlier this year (or last year depending on where you are in the world) and was beyond impressed.
I thought your discussion here was great!
Thanks Jordan! If you're interested in how MacDonald impacted the fantasy genre, the following link is to a documentary called, "FAITH IN IMAGINATION: The Fantasy Makers", which you can watch for free online - th-cam.com/video/z8I5fJZqxfU/w-d-xo.html
@@thepipersmantel Looks interesting, thanks for recommending. I'll check it out.
The truth is that at first I didn't understand George Macdonald's story about Phantastes, but after watching your video I now understood it a lot, basically the story is: Bury your ideals to be able to continue with your new renewed self. And without a doubt what you have said is very, very true, God has given the capacity to these men so that God, through them, will nurture us with his great creativity and wisdom. And in the end thank God it was like this or how you yourself mentioned:
“They ended up paying off the kingdom so many could understand and accept it.”
Thanks. And if you have time make a video of J R R Tolkien or Lewis Wallace (Responsible for Ben-hur).
I will definitely be doing a video on Tolkien and other authors in the future, but right now I'm working on some videos about my upcoming book series. As much as I have enjoyed the works of George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, God has put it on my heart to follow in their footsteps by writing my own works of "truth through fantasy". The first book in my Christian fantasy series should be published by late January next year, and then I have a book of short stories that should be published by late July. I will be doing some giveaways for subscribers when my books are published, and I plan on giving away at least four copies of each book.
Found out about him recently browsinf through audible. I am very intrigued to read some of his work
Thanks Jesse! I don't know if you saw it, but there is a link in the video description where you can read the book online for free. It's a website called "Project Gutenberg". Most of George MacDonald's works are now in the public domain. Some of his short stories are really good as well. I highly recommend "The Golden Key".
@@thepipersmantel ok thank you!
What’s your book called mate?
The Tribulations of Eloria (book 1) "The Last Shadar". I don't recommend purchasing a copy until the updated version has been released. I'll be announcing the update on my channel soon, and will be talking about some of the changes that have been made. I'm also hoping to release a book of short stories by the end of the year that I was inspired to write after reading George MacDonald's "The Golden Key".