The Princess and the Goblin & The Princess and Curdie

11 hrs. 15 min.

Children's Books, Audio Fairy Tales & Poems

Language Russian

Author George MacDonald

Narrator Natalia Istarova

George MacDonald (1824–1905) — Scottish poet and novelist, one of the founders of the fantasy genre and English authorial fairy tales. Many writers considered him their mentor and teacher, including the famous Lewis Carroll and J. R. Tolkien. His work was valued by J. MacDonald as well as by Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, and William Thackeray.

Listeners are offered a children’s fairy tale about a kind and brave girl—the princess Irene—sent to be raised in the most ordinary village, and her faithful friend, the miner Curdy. Together they managed to endure terrible trials and defeat cunning goblins. This story, full of incredible adventures, reminds us that we should value people who go through all of life’s trials with us and never abandon us: our loved ones, our friends, and all those whose hearts are filled with kindness.

Listen to the continuation of the story about the royal daughter Irene and her young defender, the miner Curdy—friends you likely already know from the fairy tale “The Princess and the Goblins.” Dangerous adventures await the friends again. Madam of the Silver Moon grants Curdy a rare gift—to see through people by touching their hands—and sends the miner to protect the king and the whole country, because Irene’s father is surrounded by deceivers, embezzlers, and cowards. The ruler faces mortal danger, but the brave Curdy and his wonderful friends take up the fight for honesty, loyalty, and justice. The fairy tale will prompt young listeners to think about how growing up happens, what friendship is, and why people influence each other so strongly.

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