Customer Reviews

The Golden Key

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A couple of shortish pieces by the great 19th Century Scottish clergyman and writer George MacDonald were illustrated by Maurice Sendak in the 1960s, and they are now available in attractive paperback editions from Sunburst. One is a very light-hearted story called _The Light Princess_, and the other is a mystical and lovely fairy tale called _The Golden Key_.

_The Golden Key_ is the story of two children, a boy and a girl, who live (not together) on the border of Fairyland. The boy has been told that at the end of the rainbow he can find a golden key -- it is not to be sold, and no one knows what door it may open, but it will surely lead somewhere wonderful. One day he sees a rainbow, and decides to follow it into Fairyland, where it seems the end of it might be -- and there he finds the golden key. Meantime, the girl, much mistreated, wanders into the forest of Fairyland, following a strange owl-like flying fish. Soon she meets a beautiful, ageless, woman, and she learns that she and the boy must journey together, looking for the keyhole into which the golden key will fit.

Their journey is long (though the story is short), and quite wonderful. They meet some strange and wise old men, and encounter many beautiful and curious sights. At last, of course, they find the doorway with keyhole. The ending is unexpected and quite moving and beautiful.

It is tempting to try to analyze this story -- is it an allegory of marriage? or the story of a joint journey to salvation? Perhaps, though, as W. H. Auden suggests in his afterword, it is best to simply let yourself be absorbed by the story, to enjoy its lovely and haunting images. This book is listed as for ages 4-8, which is absurd -- it will satisfy all ages, and if anything the target audience is definitely older children than 8. MacDonald, a key influence on C. S. Lewis, was one of the greatest of all children's fantasists -- try his _Princess and Curdie_ books, or especially his fabulous novel _At the Back of the North Wind_. (He also wrote such fine adult fantasies as _Lilith_.) The Sendak illustrations are fine and quirky as well.

It is a pity that George MacDonald is usually thought of as a writer of children's stories. The Golden Key is a fairy tale but there are few children indeed who will truly appreciate the symbolism and mystery of scenes like the journey through the valley of shadows. This one has me thinking and wondering for weeks after each time I read it.

A perfect fairy tale, lovely and deeply moving, containing more within its few short pages than most novels could ever hope to achieve. While sensitive children will certainly enjoy it, I think adult readers will discover far more - rich in symbolism, which never overwhelms the narrative, and conveying an atmosphere of unearthly peace, "The Golden Key" acquires a patina of subtle beauty and meaning with each new reading. Highly recommended!

I found this book while I was reading my way through the library's fairy tale shelf. I didn't understand any of the symbolism at the time, but I still liked it. I don't understand all of it even now, but the more I read (especially of C.S. Lewis, who admired MacDonald's work), the more interesting the book becomes. I like the way the shadow-lands idea seen here gets more fleshed out in C.S. Lewis' Narnia book The Last Battle, and both are probably derived from the cave allegory in Plato.

Some people will probably be turned off by the allegorical aspect. I think of it as an interesting little puzzle.

There aren't many fairy tales that catch my fancy, but "The Golden Key" is pure ambrosia for the mind. It's a complete tale with adventure, tragedy, imagination, and above all; morals! The illustrations by Sendak are a perfect compliment to MacDonald's story. My children were captivated by this book as much as I. This story is just as enriching as the Narnia stories by C.S. lewis. I wish there were more stories such as this, rather than those Goosebump or Harry Potter books disguised as good reading.

Just read "The Golden Key" for the first time. As soon as I finished, I read it for a second time. And now I will admit, this is the first George MacDonald book I've ever read. If all his work is as good as this enchanting story, I'm hooked on MacDonald.

Reminded me a bit of a fanciful version of "Pilgrim's Progress". The images, story and characters are simply gorgeous. I'm sure each time I read it, I will discover more of the allegorical symbolism, but I could care less about "figuring it all out". It's such a deep, imaginative story--that builds and builds and does not disappoint. :)

"The Golden Key" is a wonderful tale, written with great skill. I have to admit that I have not seen this version, but illustrations by Sendak should be excellent (in fact, perhaps enough to tempt me into purchasing a 2nd copy!). I would like to point out that C.S. Lewis considered George MacDonald to be one of his greatest inspirations, and if you enjoy his works (Chronicles of Narnia, Screwtape Letters, etc.) you should truly enjoy this.

An earlier reviewer mentioned the difficulty of understanding the imagery of the story and another suggested (perhaps rightly) that the golden key represents Christ. C.S. Lewis believed it represented "the talent for loving", and having read the book numerous times, especially to nephews and nieces, I agree. Without giving away too much, notice the differences between Mossy's and Tangle's journey after their separation (physical death), especially how they saw the Old Man of the Sea. One might need to have read more of MacDonald's works (especially Unspoken Sermons) to get at his view of how love affects our ability to "see". His "At the Back of the North Wind" contains another wonderful example when North Wind explains to Diamond why she had to appear as a dreadful wolf to an old woman.

This book is like a drink of the freshest, clearest water on the brightest, bluest spring day you can imagine. It was lovely every step of the way, somehow beautifully sad and wonderful at the same time. With the aid of the creatures of fairyland, mistreated Tangle and adventuresome Mossy go on an enchanting journey which takes them straight through to a wisdom and sense of wonderment that is somehow greater than that found in adulthood (or childhood). George MacDonald truly had an eye for the worlds of fairy, and an unsurpassed talent for expressing beauty in all things. The stories are not always meant to be understood, but deep in that inner place in one's heart, they make sense.

the tale of tangle and mossy, two child like creatures on the adventure of the ages. alone - together - parting - re-uniting, until which is which becomes forgotten and un-threatening, and best; so unimportant. Simply, this is The Best Fairey Tale I have ever read.
It is a classic.
If you know anyone who appreciates fantasy and imagination, regardless of age, this whould be a most welcome gift....