At the Back of the North Wind

We have loved the Radio Theatre Chronicles of Narnia series, and were excited to hear of this new production. The kids enjoyed as did we. The allegory is not quite as clear as the C. S. Lewis books, but still good.

The story is excellent! My concern is - the quality of Dodo Press. I, specifically, ordered this copy, for Maria Kirk's illustrations. The quality of the print is disappointing. The process used to copy the illustrations from the original to Dodo Press is surprising. The pictures are black & gray. The pictures need the viewer's imagination, to understand what You are intended to see.
I will purchase "At The Back Of The North Wind" from another publisher.
The Bookseller is EXCELLENT! GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! THE BOOK ARRIVED, WITHIN A WEEK OF MY ORDER! I am, sorry, the book did not live up to the Bookseller's Quality!

FOTF Radio Theater produce high quality dramas--cannot reccomend them highly enough! I got this one for my little sister for Christmas, along with various others, and she loves them! Hopefully it will spur her on to harder reading on her own!

Strange. This story centers on a boy named Diamond. The boy meets North Wind who favors him and takes him places including the back of the north wind (basically heaven.) When he dies at the end of the book, The North Wind takes him to the back of the north wind. Despite a few odd parts, this was a enjoyable story.

Was very excited to get this book. After all, Tolkien grew up reading MacDonald, the book seems to be pleasing most people, and the edition is handsome. But unfortunately I was very disappointed. The volume itself is very well done, and the story concept was great, but the execution was not very clever or memorable, and I found myself humoring the author a great deal, plodding through the book, waiting for something worth reading to happen. My two cents.

This has all the lyrical prose of a Victorian Children’s Fairy Tale, whimsical and wholesome. It dangerously approached saccharine sermonizing – if not for the North Wind. Sometimes a Tall Woman with Dark Hair, sometimes a Wolf, or a Fairy, or an Unseen Breath, she is the most intriguing character in a fairy tale I have encountered in some time. Biden by her unnamed Master, she often does what seems cruel, causing pain, suffering, and even death. And yet, in the end, is it revealed that all she does is for the healing, the betterment, and the good fortune of people. She is neither callous nor wanton in her destruction, but precise and obedient, doing her duty with a single-minded service to her master. A the Back of the North Wind is a place, a place she cannot see or visit, but a place she often takes those she is bidden to carry there. It seems a place where neither time nor illness nor hungry nor suffering dwell.
Daylight is a bit too cherubic for my taste, but I related to his constant out-of-place nature. He doesn’t fit in but doesn’t seem to notice. It is thought Daylight was modeled after MacDonald’s own son, as a tribute to the boy. His angelic goodness is off-set by the secondary characters, rough-and-tumble crowd, cabbies and street urchins, drunks and benevolent gentlemen. They seem real in a way Daylight does not. But perhaps that is the point.
This is a fantastic fairy tale, whimsical and imaginative, but with a somber ending that makes this far more than just a gossamer tale of nonsense for children. To understand that pain and death are important teachers, vital to our life and growth, is a lesson worth teaching our children. MacDonald’s story helps explain this concept to children in a way that makes sense to them. And may help adults understand a concept that seems so contrary to our minds.

I happened upon this book in the library and loved it, so I bought a copy for my mom. I am a lover of fairytales, and she is a lover of Charles Dickens. She loved it, which was a gratifying relief, because for me the book had instantly become a special book took up shop in my heart. Not to sound pat, but books like this, this well written, are not really made anymore. While on the surface it is a tale about a young working-class boy growing up in Dickensian London, it is full of unique, wise, and creative ideas, and has a really cool angle on mystical spirituality without pushing any one religion. I previously didn’t know the author, but apparently he was one of the leading writers and collector of old fairytales, and his writing shows it. For readers who are not used to old-fashion writing styles, they might find the book offputting. But people who are well-read will likely enjoy it, and it is an unusual enough story that you’ll probably never forget it. I know I won’t. This edition also has the original beautiful old drawings. A delightful tome! Looking forward to reading his other books.

First, if you like *Phantastes*, you'll like this just fine.

Second the black-and-white covered paperback is missing chunks of text, specifically MacDonald's unique versions of "Little Boy Blue" and "Cat and the Cradle. And a lengthy poem is printed as one lo-ong paragraph that's pretty nonsensical as a result. Very disappointing.

George Macdonald suceeds in creating a perfectly innocent character in this book: the young boy Diamond. A previous reviewer said that Diamond was too perfect and not believable. I assume that this reviewer would say that Adam was not believable before he fell as well. Why someone is looking for "believable" (by believable I believe that he meant a character we would expect to meet in real life) characters in a George Macdonald fantasy novel in the first place is beyond me. It is like criticizing China for not producing any Englishmen.

Secondly, a previous reviewer said that this book is important historically but that it was not fun to read. He says that "He's the point when 'just fun' and 'sound moral instructions' combine in children's literature." I would like very much for him to show me one of these childrens stories with no moral instruction. That is what all fairy tales were about until recently. Try to find any traditional fairy tale that is not meant to convey moral truths to us. I am afraid that the reviewer has got it exactly backwards. This novel is not historically important at all, but it is very fun to read. George Macdonald is a master at creating fantasy worlds which the reader find easy to become immersed into.

Overall grade: A

I'll start out by saying first and foremost, this is one of my favorite books. But let me also add that I love it, not ignoring its flaws, but regardless of them. And it does have flaws.
I have read that the lead character Diamond is unbelieveable, especially after the main turning point of the story. That's okay. He's supposed to be. Without giving away too much plot, Diamond coming back from the back of the north wind is almost akin to Paul being called up to heaven, they were both changed, and for similar reasons. Aside from that, he is no more unbelieveable than Dickens's Oliver Twist or Paul Dombey. Paul Dombey being a much better comparision, as I must think MacDonald based Diamond upon him somewhat.
Speaking of Dickens, some critics have complained that MacDonald tricks the reader by making half of the novel a fantasy but then switches abruptly to a Dickensian type social commentary. Once the family moves to London, he seems much more concerned with the ills of that place than with the earlier fantasy. I can't argue with that. It does happen. After the main turning point, the North Wind makes very little appearance until the end. I think this is a very important part of the book, and while the fanicful moments seem to be where MacDonald excelled, the latter half of the novel is not lacking in greatness, as it maintains a fantasic aspect, though not the same one of as the first half. That being said, it should be known that I ademently love Charles Dickens. If you don't care for his works you may want to reconsider this novel, as I think it is laced with many Dickensian elements--a "problem" not usually seen in a MacDonald novel.
Also, I have heard this book attacked because, as a children's book, it is hard for children to grasp the meaning of it. I think it's a weak attack and better men than me have put up better defenses. MacDonald himself, for one. "Your children are not likely to trouble you about the meaning. They find what they are capable of finding, and more would be too much." That being said, it is a religious story, though not out-right and not allogorical either. It can be ignored or embraced, dependant on your views.
Now that I've addressed those main attacks, I'll go back to those flaws I mentioned. Like every book I've read by MacDonald, there are lulls. They are much more sparse than in his other novels, however, and easily gotten through. They should hardly be a main concern.
His writing style is not perfect either, though it is hardly bad. It's just "less good." But the story will make you overlook some of his less than wonderful moments.
The ending of the story is another flaw, in my opinion. Not that I feel the ending should've been changed, but I would've prefered it to be better kept from the reader. That did not take away from the power of it, but I did see it coming about half-way through. But maybe I'm just expecting too much.
Despite those three complaints of mine, At the Back of the North Wind is one of the best "children's stories" ever written. It is very much akin to J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy: fanciful and entertaining. Going back to that Dickensian influence, it is also moralistic, though not preachy or stern. . .too often.

Flying, whirling, spiraling through the night sky, the beautiful and powerful North Wind takes little Diamond and the reader on countless journeys throughout England in the late 1800's. As Diamond travels with North Wind he experiences what it means to truly live, and he matures in wisdom far beyond his young years.
Throughout the novel, numerous hardships befall Diamond's family, and he is forced to drive a horse-drawn cab in order to help his family survive. Although just a young boy at the time, he shows remarkable strength, and fortune seems to follow him in whatever he does. But is it fortune or North Wind? Even though mostly indirectly, North Wind plays an extremely manipulating part in Diamond's life, for the good and the temporary bad. One night, she takes him on a magical flight to a beautiful country behind her, and throughout all his trials and achievements, Diamond longs to revisit that peaceful country. Diamond's life is grievous, but his innocence forever pulls him closer to his heart's desire.
With wonderfully created characters, excellent scenery, and master storytelling skills, British author George MacDonald has written a marvelous piece of classical children's literature that has thrived through over one hundred years of written storytelling. Although fantastical in nature, he imparts on his readers, through the personalities and behaviors of Diamond and his family, a certain level of morality that is almost nonexistent today. This children's novel is written in classical British English, yet it is easy and fun to read with many songs, poems and stories within the larger story. MacDonald does an excellent job of depicting life and death in a positive manner, and the parallels to Christianity and God's relationship to his children are evident for all readers to see. Even though some of the formal British mannerisms outlined within these pages are antiquated, I highly recommend this story to any parent looking to provide their child with a good, wholesome work of literature. AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND also serves as a great comparison to modern prose and society.
Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I've never read anyone who writes quite like MacDonald. When you read him it is not the quality of his writing, but rather his personality (kindly and eccentric, at the same time so quintessentially Scotch)and immensely powerful and original imagination that show on the page. He is more an excellent storyteller than a "proper" author, I think.
In the North Wind, as in much of MacDonald's work, there is a wealth of moral and religous themes and analougies under the surface. In my mid 20's now, I was surprised at the effect that reading MacDonald's childrens books has had on me. It is not that I would have disagreed on an intellectual level with anything in the books before reading them, but rather that McDonald has a talent for gently bringing people to examine what their opinions mean and how they treat other people as a result of them. I've found more than a few chinks in my own armour, in that respect.
As for North Wind in particular, it's quite a breathtaking, display of raw, imaginative brawn. The first third or so of the book is perhaps one of the most chilling and beautiful stories I've ever read. It becomes a little more conventional after that and meanders a little. There is a good bit of amiable nonsense and a fairy tale within it that, though it seems a little tacked on and has nothing to do with the greater story, is still very clever and charming. I think most adults will see the ending coming, but it left me a little shaken up anyway.
Like some of the other reviewers have mentioned, it's a very hard thing to create a character who is absoulutely good. There is a real danger of making the character into a weak, simpering, priggish, goody two shoes. It's a testament to MacDonald, even just that Diamond isn't appallingly annoying, but that he is actually a very likable and smypathetic character. He reminded me very much of a small version of Dostoyevsky's Prince Myshkin.
To close, I feel I can hardly recommend MacDonald in general or North Wind in particular highly enough. Be certain to get an unedited version, there is nothing in the original that you'll want to do without (I read the puffin classics edition with the cover art of Diamond on a glacier). Though the style is somewhat Victorian(not that there's anything in itself wrong with that) and though MacDonald's writing is a little idiosyncratic to begin with, I don't think it would present any serious problems to an older child or young adolescent reading on their own -at least, no more so than a book by Tolkien or Lewis would. It's true that McDonald was a Christian minister and this book is proabably best used, and was most likely originally intended, to be read aloud by parents to their children within a Christian family. That said, I do not think there is anything in it that any person with faith in God, whether they were Christian or otherwise, would find fault with. I think MacDonald is an author who repays an open and thoughtful reading in a way that will work for many people in many stages of their life.

George MacDonald wrote hundreds of stories throughout his lifetime (not surprising considering he had eleven kids!), most of which were fantasies that drew on a rich variety of sources: mythology, fairytales and Biblical mysticism. Credited by C.S. Lewis as the main inspiration behind The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set, MacDonald's dreamy little tales (especially this one) are a strange blend of frustrating ramblings and sublime imagery. Love it or hate it, "At the Back of the North Wind" encompasses the best and worst about MacDonald, the Victorian Era, and even children's literature itself.

Named after his father's favourite horse, Diamond is the son of a coachman, and lives above the stable in the hayloft. As the story begins, Diamond is visited by a mysterious but beautiful woman who introduces herself as the North Wind. Inviting him to join her on her night-time journeys, Diamond soon becomes intimately acquainted with the being, unraveling certain aspects of her enigmatic characteristics and even visiting the land that exists behind her back - a place that she herself is barred from.

The visit endows Diamond with an unearthly quality of goodness and innocence (MacDonald is constantly defending Diamond's angelic conduct with the fact that he's been to the back of the North Wind), allowing his mere presence to positively improve and enrich the lives of those around him, including his family, his employers, and acquaintances from both the upper and lower classes. Although most tend to think that Diamond is touched in the head, the young boy has utter faith in the North Wind and her claims that everything will eventually turn out for the best. As a Congregationalist minister, MacDonald truly believes in this theology, and ensures that whatever seems like misfortune or tragedy in the plot is eventually revealed to be unexpectedly fortuitous in one way or another.

"At the Back of the North Wind" was originally written in serialized form, with each chapter published periodically in magazines, and so the story can feel a little choppy at times. There is no clear sense of a structured plot or story-arc, instead it is quite episodic - one chapter can be about Diamond's virtuous deeds in London, another can be fully devoted to a fairytale that a character is telling, or a dream that a person has had. At times you can tell that MacDonald is just making it up as he goes along, which makes for a fresh, but sometimes frustrating read. I like to have the sense that an author has a clear sense of where they're going with their plot and characters, and often parts of MacDonald's work can appear random or meaningless.

Of course, this is almost certainly due to the time period in which it is written. MacDonald was a contemporary of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (Signet Classics), the first children's book to be written for pure entertainment purposes (in fact, it was MacDonald's children who were among the first to read Carroll's manuscript and encourage him to publish it). If there are any kinks in MacDonald's storytelling, it was probably because he was one of the forerunners in writing children's fiction - there were few prototypes on which to model his own work. Understandable, but still a little annoying when slugging through several long and not-very-good poems inserted needlessly into the text (you have my permission to skip them).

There are other aspects of Victorian culture at work in the story: a fascination with the poor and the sick (both encompassed in the character of Nanny, a young sweeper), the growing trend of philanthropy at work amongst the upper-classes (as seen in the frequent visits to the children's hospital), a preference for country life than that of the city, and a sense of mysticism and spirituality throughout. And then of course there's Diamond himself. The Victorians were in love with the idea of the Child as a God-Like Being (witness any one of Wordsworth's poems) and Diamond is no exception. He is, quite simply, perfect. This means that some readers will find him endearing, enlightening and inspirational, and others will find him sanctimonious, irritating and totally unbelievable as a character. For what it's worth, I like Diamond, even when MacDonald takes his character to its inevitable end - Diamond is too good for this earth, and the Victorians loved a good death scene (see Little Nell in Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop (Penguin Classics)).

Although most children will be put off by the strange, dreamy pacing of the novel (better to start them off with MacDonald's most popular children's book The Princess and the Goblin (Puffin Classics - the Essential Collection)), older readers will be fascinated by MacDonald's creation of the North Wind and the theology that he delicately works into the story - a theology that only occasionally slips into preaching. There's plenty here to be intrigued by, certainly enough to make it worth the reading, but be prepared for some randomness, shaky plotlines and Victorian melodrama (though on second thought, that last one just may be a bonus feature!)

This enchanting classic is as lively and moving to read as the day it was written. There is no Victorian stodginess or moralizing here. I remember reading an essay where Simone Weil lamented over the difficulty of portraying goodness in literature--in fiction evil seemed to dominate. Well here in the character of the lad Diamond is one of the most convincing evocations of human goodness and saintliness in literature, childrens' or adult. One is reminded of St. Francis of Assisi when contemplating Diamond; his purity, innocense, and unselfconsciousness float right off the page. I especilly call your attention to the dialogue between Diamond and his mother on the beach as she tries hopelessly to explain to him that now they are poor. His sublimely worldly (and yet otherworldly )responses are both hilarious and deeply moving. One of MacDonald's core beliefs, so often and passionately stated throughout his writings, is here given flesh and blood: goodness is truth.

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!

I have been always fascinated by George MacDonald's books, not only because there are deep insights and thoughts in his books but also because of his views on our life.

I frequently wonder as I read his other books why he was not as famous as other great authors? Perhaps this point is not important for George MacDonald because he wants to transfer his views, his love to the life, and his understanding of the life to us.

On the other hand, I as a Chinese could not think out any Chinese stories with similar characteristic in our literature. Certainly this is the reason why I love to read George MacDonald's books.

Ratings:
Themes and story: 4.5
Length:2.5
This would be a great book if shorter.

Here is the slightly longer review:
Point: There are a few who live in light of eternity. These few have been given a glance into the tomorrow of life. Some of those who know these individuals mock, others pity, but all recognize that the long-sighted are something special.

Path: George MacDonald leads the reader through a lengthy story of a young boy's life, demonstrating how eternity is viewed by those who have never seen it and by those who have.

Agreement: This book had some excellent themes, and for the attentive, a great store of character shaping thoughtfulness.

Disagreement: It was very long for the story.

Personal App: Things are not how they always seem - and eternity is that way.

Favorite Quote: "A poet is not a boat, as you call it. A poet is a man who is glad of something, and tries to make other people glad of it too."

Ratings:
Themes and story: 4.5
Length:2.5
This would be a great book if shorter.

Here is the slightly longer review:
Point: There are a few who live in light of eternity. These few have been given a glance into the tomorrow of life. Some of those who know these individuals mock, others pity, but all recognize that the long-sighted are something special.

Path: George MacDonald leads the reader through a lengthy story of a young boy's life, demonstrating how eternity is viewed by those who have never seen it and by those who have.

Agreement: This book had some excellent themes, and for the attentive, a great store of character shaping thoughtfulness.

Disagreement: It was very long for the story.

Personal App: Things are not how they always seem - and eternity is that way.

Favorite Quote: "A poet is not a boat, as you call it. A poet is a man who is glad of something, and tries to make other people glad of it too."

George MacDonald's stories are historically important. He's the point when "just fun" and "sound moral instructions" combine in children's literature. It is well written, with a variety of descriptions and long bits of poetry interspersed (usually riffs on nursery rhymes) which will make it intriguing as an out-loud storybook.

But I didn't like this story, which was originally serialized for a children's magazine. The main character is so good that you think he's lifeless. He's never frightened (even when bad men are beating him up and trying to steal his father's horse and cab); he's never tired (even when he's up most of the night, and then gets up to take care of the baby in the early morning); he's never cross; he never struggles to understand or learn things. He never rests if there is something he can do to help someone else. He is entirely, endlessly, tiringly perfect.

And he had -- no color, I suppose you would say. He's as pale as an angel, in word, deed, and presence.

The very end is utterly predictable, if not completely unavoidable given the conventions of the literature. I think, if you're interested in a book about a perfect boy whose mere presence reforms those around him, that you will be happier with Little Lord Fauntleroy.

Freeling is stepping in the Simenon footsteps. Being English, Freeling writes with a French complexity that exceeds the continental Simenon's English simplicity. But the mirror, ornately framed, is apparent.
And, like a lot of Simenon, there are three stories in the story, all loosely fitted-- a cheap Chinese puzzle box, not a jigsaw puzzle.
Allusions to Hammett and Chandler are that, not models.
At the end, all the wondering is worth it.
Read on.

I found this book--correction: This book found me--shortly after my father's death. I was nine years old. What I needed then were books that would comfort as they took me to another place, a place where people lived surrounded with tenderness and loving kindness. If you are looking for books to read aloud with your children, I strongly recommend this one plus The Princess and Curdie and The Princess and the Goblin. These brilliantly written yet simple tales combine fantasy with spiritual issues... opening the door for many great discussions. I still love them today....

This children's classic would definitely be rejected by most modern kids--in fact, I had to force myself through the first third of the book, until the plot became more believable. Page after page of nonsense poetry and absurd adult-child conversatons put me off. The Human story itself is pretty good: a frail, sickly, angelic boy of 7 (?), son of a poor coachman in 19th century London, has the unque ability to charm those he meets, to touch the lives of children and adults alike, changing them for the better. Some people consider him mentally unsound, but his heart is pure. Like Little Lord Fauntleroy, he seems too good to be true. Or to survive the emotional storms of Life.
The book opens with the Fantasy element--where Diamond meets the mysterious lady whom he comes to love and trust completely: North Wind. This strange, nocturnal companion assumes many sizes and guises; she blows to sweep away Life's mess as well as to sink ships (obeying orders from an unnamed
authority.) The quaint literary style, as well as outdated vocabulary, challenge today's readers. Diamond's philosophy of Life was changed ever since his return from the Back of the Noth Wind. One has to read this book to give other names to that special place and his beloved, long-haired lady. A curious mixture of plot and pseudo-religious themes. Recommended for 19th century studies of children's literature.

Ratings:
Themes and story: 4.5
Length:2.5
This would be a great book if shorter.

Here is the slightly longer review:
Point: There are a few who live in light of eternity. These few have been given a glance into the tomorrow of life. Some of those who know these individuals mock, others pity, but all recognize that the long-sighted are something special.

Path: George MacDonald leads the reader through a lengthy story of a young boy's life, demonstrating how eternity is viewed by those who have never seen it and by those who have.

Agreement: This book had some excellent themes, and for the attentive, a great store of character shaping thoughtfulness.

Disagreement: It was very long for the story.

Personal App: Things are not how they always seem - and eternity is that way.

Favorite Quote: "A poet is not a boat, as you call it. A poet is a man who is glad of something, and tries to make other people glad of it too."

This children's book has had a profound impact on my faith and spirituality. It is a book I have read and re-read over the years, especially when I am struggling with my faith. The story, Diamond's relationship with the North Wind, satisfies one on an almost mystical level. Its simple, beautiful story leaves one knowing that no matter what happens in the world, God is God; and we can rest assured that He is in control. We can be at peace, in spite of the pain and evil in the world.
Don't look for answers. Simply read the story and let it wash over you. If you have the faith of a child, you will not be unaffected.

A hauntingly beautiful book, almost Dickensian in scope, written during the same period of Victorian England, providing stark insight into the cavernous divide between wealth and poverty. The characters are more realistic than colorful (except for North Wind, of course), and the fairy tale "Little Daylight" and the dream sequences are magical. A sophisticated children's novel that will probably delight adults even more.

After recently re-discovering and being re-enchanted by The Princess and the Goblin, I took this out of the library. I was disappointed. While the back of the north wind is a magical place as one imagines from the title, it is also an afterworld from which the main character returns transformed into a living angel. The story-line is weak and the Victorian ideology strong, making for an interesting read for an adult or teenager, but one which I think children should skip. My daughter is 8 and in 3rd grade, and is a bookworm but I'm sure she would be quite bored by this.

The book starts well, very interestingly it dwells with the life of this little fellow Diamond whose father is a poor coachman in London. He has a mysterious relation with the North Wind. And this is the best part of the book, this relationship, the travels and conversations between the lady wind and the angelic child. When the text parts from these vehicles it complicates too much, not much happens and gets lost in too much talking.

Still worth a try, the mystery is there if one hangs on to the end.