Author Description

Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women (1858) by Scottish author George MacDonald follows a young man learning valuable lessons in a fantasy world then coming to terms with reality. MacDonald was heavily influenced by the Romantic movement, especially by William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley. A former priest, MacDonald was "fired" for his belief in universalism, i.e. that everyone will be saved despite the domination of their faith.<br> <br> Anodos (which means "pathless" in Ancient Greek) wakes up slightly confused about whatever happened last night on his 21st birthday. He had received several mysterious items as inheritance from his father. This includes an elderly sprite that introduces herself as the fairy grandmother. She then informs Anodos that he must go to Fairy Land. Thinking this nonsense, he went back to bed...