In the beginning, George
created Fantasy...
It is the modern birth of
the fantasy genre. Faeries, fantasy,
gnomes, love and a knight thrown in the mix...
Written by George
MacDonald and published in 1858, this book can arguably be lauded as the first
real work that opened up the fantasy genre on a popular, mainstream level. The story sets up a pattern that has been
followed in one form or another right into the 21st century. It draws from earlier German legend, but this particular work really caught the public's interest, introducing this form of literature to a general audience.
When you think about the
mid 19th century, Phantastes seems out of place, a very strange companion
to Walden and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, both contemporary novels that were very
successful and grounded in reality.
Despite its oddness, MacDonald's work went on to influence many subsequent
authors, including C.S. Lewis, Charles Dodgson and possibly Tolkien and Doyle. I suspect this story played some sort of role
in Arthur's firm belief that those photographs were indeed...authentic...
A first edition, should
you dare to explore the genesis of all that might be real, but probably isn’t
real...then again...