About this title: This is a classic tale of a young princess and a miner boy who outwit a colony of scheming goblins in an exciting adventure set in a maze of underground caverns. When Princess Irene discovers a secret staircase at the top of the castle, she enters a world so mysterious she doesn't know whether to believe it is real. For hidden in the highest tower, is a beautiful old lady who lives among the pigeons, spinning magic thread beside a fire made of roses. But when strange cat-like creatures are found prowling the palace gardens, and Curdie the miner boy encounters a band of embittered goblins ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1984
ISBN-13:9780140350296ISBN:0140350292
Description: Acceptable. Some Wear And Creasing-Reading Copy Only *** Expect to receive a well read copy-The condition of the book will be readable, perhaps with heavy creasing and some damage. You wouldn't want to give it as a present-Dispatched in padded packaging. ** UK SELLER-Get it in days not weeks ** read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Puffin
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780140367461ISBN:0140367462
Description: Fair. Paperback, a good reading copy. Cover image is a stock image and may vary. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Description: Very Good. No major defects-unabridged, clean, complete, not falling apart; some light wear. A perfectly good reading or reference copy. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Date Published: 1989
ISBN-13:9780862412746ISBN:0862412749
Description: Good. This is an EX-LIBRARY COPY. We only offer carefully selected, quality books, in this category. The normal stamps and labels may be present and the front flysheet has been tidily removed. The supplying library will benefit financially from your purchase. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Galley Press/Scripture Union
Date Published: 1981
ISBN-13:9780861360246ISBN:0861360249
Description: Very Good. No major defects-unabridged, clean, complete, not falling apart; some light wear. A perfectly good reading or reference copy. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780140367461ISBN:0140367462
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Date Published: 1989
ISBN-13:9780862412746ISBN:0862412749
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in fair all round condition, suitable as a reading copy. Ships within 24 hours. pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0862412749. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780140302202ISBN:0140302204
Description: Paperback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours. 224pp., 200grams, ISBN: 0140302204. read more
"This book was really good. It's an old children's classic, sort of fairy tale book. It's 238 pages and about this princess who finds a secret staircase in her nursery and a magic lady in her attic, the woman protects her and a peasent boy from the nasty goblins. When her nursey keeps her out to late and risks the goblins stealing the little princess, they are found by the peasent boy Curdie who takes them home. But when Curdie is in trouble, the princess uses her magical thread (that her magical lady gave her) to find him. It's a really good book that always has you asking what happens next."
"This is supposed to be something of a classic; an early example of "Christian" fantasy, but the truth is that it's dull as could be and conveys about as many Christianly values as a cup of tea. The story is nonsensical and uninspiring, and the heroes are just as flat as the villians. I suppose if the reader is in fourth grade or lower they might find some enjoyment in the story, but it galls to no end that the main character--the princess- is practically useless, unintelligent, and depends upon boys and maids to do the hard work for her."
"This book is great if you are into classic children's books and fairy tales. I remember reading it as a kid and being in utter awe. As an adult, the narration is a little trite, but the story still holds, and I have to say the descriptions of the cobs (and worse yet, their animals) still made me shudder a little. I like to recommend this book for children, since it has both a strong female and male character, which is sometimes hard to find in children's literature. There is also a less famous sequel to this book, and if you can find it, I think it's even better than this one. It deals with the apocalypse, and really, nothing is better than children's literature, goblins, English royalty, and the end of the world.
As a side note, I read this right after reading Flanders' "Inside the Victorian Home", and found many interesting parallels. For instance, the great fear in this book is that the goblins will penetrate the castle - much like the philosophy found in Flanders' book that the Victorian home is the most precious possession a person can have. The description of Curdie's mother could also almost have been taken verbatim from Flanders' book. It really made me enjoy this book on a different level."
"A wonderful classic tale - a princess in peril - pretty, kind, but with a bit on spunk (she does the rescuing with a bit of help in this one, perhaps the authors early feminist ideals was showing through!), a smart, resourceful commoner, and a mysterious, magical grandmother....
And goblins living under the mountain that means peril.
Its the perfect book for every little kid, really. I used to read this over and over again when I was kid, and I was very pleased to see that it stood up to my reading again.
Actually, the one thing I really enjoyed even more as an adult, I think is the overall tone of the book. Written in the style of its time, there is no mincing of words or speaking down in this book. It assumes kids are actually smart enough to understand real language. Imagine that."
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