At the Back of the North Wind (Everyman's Library Children's Classics) [Hardcover]

George MacDonald (Author), Arthur Hughes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Everyman's Library Children's Classics

A Victorian fairy tale that has enchanted readers for more than a hundred years: the magical story of Diamond, the son of a poor coachman, who is swept away by the North Wind–a radiant, maternal spirit with long, flowing hair–and whose life is transformed by a brief glimpse of the beautiful country “at the back of the north wind.” It combines a Dickensian regard for the working class of mid-19th-century England with the invention of an ethereal landscape, and is published here alongside Arthur Hughes’s handsome illustrations from the original 1871 edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A Victorian fairy tale that has enchanted readers for more than a hundred years: the magical story of Diamond, the son of a poor coachman, who is swept away by the North Wind?a radiant, maternal spirit with long, flowing hair?and whose life is transformed by a brief glimpse of the beautiful country ?at the back of the north wind.? It combines a Dickensian regard for the working class of mid-19th-century England with the invention of an ethereal landscape, and is published here alongside Arthur Hughes?s handsome illustrations from the original 1871 edition.

About the Author

George MacDonald (1824—1905) was a prolific writer, yet it is his fantasies for children that have survived. A minister of the Congregational church, MacDonald resigned after a disagreement with his deacons and from 1853 earned his living by lecturing and writing.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Everyman's Library (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375413359
• ISBN-13: 978-0375413353
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful in its simplicity, January 19, 2002

By 

William Krischke (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Back of the North Wind (Everyman's Library Children's Classics) (Hardcover)

This book reminded me a great deal of "The Little Prince" by Antoine Saint-Exubery, the main difference being that the underlying philosophy here is Christian, as opposed to the Easternish philosophy of the former book. Like "The Little Prince", it speaks quietly and simply of things that are so true we tend to overlook or forget them. Unlike the mentioned book, this one brings in harsher elements, such as poverty and abuse -- and shows how the simple wisdom of a child can overcome them. MacDonald's imagination is wonderful, and some of the dreams and fairy tales in the book almost outshine the "real" story. I love the children who dig for stars. This is one I enjoyed because it is so different, so simple and beautiful, and one I look forward to sharing with my children, should I ever have any.

PS - My sister read an edited, abridged version of this book, one rewritten to make it easier for children, and it was awful. It skipped whole chapters and left out some of the very best parts. I think kids can handle this book, just the way it was written. Stay away from nasty abridgements that are really censorship in disguise!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe his finest children's work., March 2, 2006

By 

Q. McAuley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Back of the North Wind (Everyman's Library Children's Classics) (Hardcover)

I love this book. I've read it 3 times, all as an adult. The fragility of life is portrayed in the person of little Diamond, an innocent, sickly child. Though MacDonald is occasionally preachy, (yet on target), he writes a story that will fill you with wonder and sorrow.

I so recommend this book. It is one of my top 5 favorite books of fiction.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, simple beauty, July 8, 2008

By 

Julia Gwin (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At the Back of the North Wind (Everyman's Library Children's Classics) (Hardcover)

This book is handsomely made. The illustrations are lovely, the frontispiece elegant, the pages heavy and the print very dark and readable. The story itself is a work of powerful, simple, and beautiful truth. A very good read aloud and discussion book. The author's handling of the drunken cabman chapter is a wonder of insight and wisdom. What a powerful book of goodness, for child and adult alike.