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nes1572's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marybethmoore2319's review against another edition
3.0
At the Back of the North Wind certainly contained some beautiful, poignant imagery. It just wasn't as good, in my opinion, as some of MacDonald's other books (The Princess and the Goblin or The Wise Woman and Other Stories, for example). I think the fact the the book was published serially may account for some of the meanderings of the plot, and the plot did certainly meander! So much of the book could have been edited out.
However, you will do well if you can hold onto the central idea of the book, that is, that the North Wind, representing Death, is a friend, a doorway to the next life--a beautiful life in a beautiful place. I would even recommend skimming over the parts that really don't contribute to the main story if you just can't make yourself keep reading.
Additionally, there were some interesting parallels that could be drawn from the book, particularly regarding the problem of evil as it relates to a good and holy God, God's character, and the existence of God and the supernatural. You definitely see glimpses of why MacDonald was so respected and revered by Tolkien, Lewis, and many other literary giants. Again, I think those reasons are even clearer in some of MacDonald's other writings, but they are certainly present in this book.
However, you will do well if you can hold onto the central idea of the book, that is, that the North Wind, representing Death, is a friend, a doorway to the next life--a beautiful life in a beautiful place. I would even recommend skimming over the parts that really don't contribute to the main story if you just can't make yourself keep reading.
Additionally, there were some interesting parallels that could be drawn from the book, particularly regarding the problem of evil as it relates to a good and holy God, God's character, and the existence of God and the supernatural. You definitely see glimpses of why MacDonald was so respected and revered by Tolkien, Lewis, and many other literary giants. Again, I think those reasons are even clearer in some of MacDonald's other writings, but they are certainly present in this book.
emjay796's review against another edition
3.5
It's been a week, and I'm still deciding how I feel about At the Back of the North Wind.
I bought this from a used book store back in high school or early college. I've been meaning to get to it for years, so when it was chosen by a book club for January, I jumped at the chance. The last I read from MacDonald was Lilith... which, clearly, was a very different story from North Wind. I know this story has been beloved by many for over a century—I wanted to discovery why.
And I think I do, now. Or, at least, I understand as much as I ever will. The interactions between Diamond and North Wind are twisty and neatly fold in upon themselves... classic MacDonald. But my favorite moments were the descriptions of the world when Diamond was flying alongside the Wind:
"As they flew, so fast they went that the sea slid away from under them like a great web of shot silk, blue shot with grey, and green shot with purple."
"But soon he began to see that the sky was very lovely, with mottled clouds all about the moon, on which she threw faint colours like those of mother-of-pearl, or an opal."
MacDonald saw the world as a joyful, optimistic poet, and that sensitivity to beauty colors every corner of this story. The messaging was less satisfying... I am very far removed from MacDonald's Victorian era, from his presuppositions about goodness and pain and virtue. At this stage of my life, I found the theodicy layer to this allegory unsatisfying—and I do not have the scholarship mettle to get into a discussion about MacDonald's views on class, poverty, and suffering (in short: they're very optimistic). Maybe, one day, I'll be uncynical enough to re-read this story and treasure it. Until then, I'm glad for my visit to the back of the north wind, if only to have witnessed the beauty of it.
I bought this from a used book store back in high school or early college. I've been meaning to get to it for years, so when it was chosen by a book club for January, I jumped at the chance. The last I read from MacDonald was Lilith... which, clearly, was a very different story from North Wind. I know this story has been beloved by many for over a century—I wanted to discovery why.
And I think I do, now. Or, at least, I understand as much as I ever will. The interactions between Diamond and North Wind are twisty and neatly fold in upon themselves... classic MacDonald. But my favorite moments were the descriptions of the world when Diamond was flying alongside the Wind:
"As they flew, so fast they went that the sea slid away from under them like a great web of shot silk, blue shot with grey, and green shot with purple."
"But soon he began to see that the sky was very lovely, with mottled clouds all about the moon, on which she threw faint colours like those of mother-of-pearl, or an opal."
MacDonald saw the world as a joyful, optimistic poet, and that sensitivity to beauty colors every corner of this story. The messaging was less satisfying... I am very far removed from MacDonald's Victorian era, from his presuppositions about goodness and pain and virtue. At this stage of my life, I found the theodicy layer to this allegory unsatisfying—and I do not have the scholarship mettle to get into a discussion about MacDonald's views on class, poverty, and suffering (in short: they're very optimistic). Maybe, one day, I'll be uncynical enough to re-read this story and treasure it. Until then, I'm glad for my visit to the back of the north wind, if only to have witnessed the beauty of it.
jsilva87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story takes place with the little boy named diamond who comes to me a lady named The North wind who takes him on an adventure of life and the transformation we go from child to the thoughts of an adult and how we see life changing aspects which include love, health, family, and even the sorrow of death. Every person's aspect on life itself is different it is how we each see it is then how we can work with it and understand it. Diamond's journey is not the same as anybody else's but only he is in his alone and the joys that it can bring and also the sorrow.
mollybwell's review against another edition
5.0
A classic fairy tale with a Christian moral. Elegantly written - sometimes rather archaic in style. I would keep this on my "legacy bookshelf." These would be the books I would want to be found as my reading character. If only I could read more like this.
jazzylemon's review against another edition
5.0
There's more to this tale than it seems. Also includes the story Little Daylight.
stacygiven's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t sure about this in the beginning. However it turned out to be quite lovely. A beautiful fairy tale.
treiceratops's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet, maybe a bit too, but lovely in parts. The illustrations were beautiful. I am never a huge fan of MacDonald's poetry, and there was quite a lot, but I enjoyed the story and themes.