Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women (version 2)
George MacDonald
Read by Thomas A. Copeland
An author who means to end a story with some variation of “And they all lived happily ever after” had better deal before that point not just with evil, strife, and terror but also with loss, failure, sacrifice, and death—or the ending will not be credible. And since such negative experiences do not easily lead to happy endings, only the best story-tellers succeed. George MacDonald is one of these.
His protagonist, Anodos, discovers on the day he comes of age a path leading into an alternative reality, where a rite of passage awaits him: an entire lifetime in a land of marvels resembling childhood imaginings and medieval romances.
The forces motivating him during his adventure, aside from the curiosity that induces him to enter Fairy Land in the first place, are a yearning after the feminine ideal and a desire to accomplish something worthwhile. Other people’s kindness, love, wisdom, and high expectations support him, while malice, selfish exploitation, and tyranny challenge him. Nor are these hostile forces all purely external.
Rarely has an author explored so searchingly as MacDonald the soul of a faithful squire and a rejected lover—for this is what Anodos is, when all is said and done. None of the most famous beta males in literature—certainly not Vergil’s “faithful Achates,” not Cervantes’ unforgettable Sancho Panza, not even Homer’s Eumaios (“Oh! my swineherd!”)—is portrayed with the richness, depth, and multi-dimensionality of MacDonald’s visitor to Fairy Land. Just possibly Spenser’s Timias (Prince Arthur’s squire, whose tale is told in books 3 and 4 of The Faerie Queene) could be MacDonald’s model. Like Timias, Anodos accepts his supportive role with equanimity and even learns the value of unrequited love, and yet, also like Timias, he possesses courage, skill, and resolve. He also combats dark forces within himself, an effort that ultimately endows him with insight, surpassing his master’s, into the darkness that masks as holiness—to oppose which he gladly sacrifices his life. Before that moment he has learned the bittersweet joy of sacrifice when his heart's desire, whom his longing and effort have freed from durance vile, prefers the love of a greater man, but it is only death that can teach him the joy and the power of loving without need, of giving without thought of reciprocation.
And only that death which is self-abnegation can carry him across the threshold into manhood, which the future’s inevitable adversity and defeats can never tarnish. (Summary by Thomas A. Copeland) (7 hr 37 min)
Chapters
00 - Phantastes | 1:54 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
01 - Phantastes | 10:21 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
02 - Phantastes | 4:04 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
03 - Phantastes | 28:12 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
04 - Phantastes | 25:24 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
05 - Phantastes | 19:08 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
06 - Phantastes | 19:22 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
07 - Phantastes | 18:39 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
08 - Phantastes | 9:15 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
09 - Phantastes | 16:15 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
10 - Phantastes | 20:34 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
11 - Phantastes | 15:32 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
12 - Phantastes | 17:58 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
13 - Phantastes | 55:03 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
14 - Phantastes | 17:20 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
15 - Phantastes | 10:27 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
16 - Phantastes | 4:31 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
17 - Phantastes | 12:26 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
18 - Phantastes | 11:08 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
19 - Phantastes | 39:14 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
20 - Phantastes | 19:52 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
21 - Phantastes | 12:19 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
22 - Phantastes | 20:25 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
23 - Phantastes | 30:36 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
24 - Phantastes | 8:48 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
25 - Phantastes | 8:19 | Read by Thomas A. Copeland |
Reviews
Mike B.
Very challenging story, however, worth a listen. I really suggest the listener head over to The Literary Life Podcast and listen to episodes 70-74. They really help break down a strange and deep book.
John Glemby
Trully GREAT reading of this great fairytale! Reader captures the magic .I have every audiobook versions of this book .This and the rob Gregory one are the best read versions, and the latter is only available on cassette..( remember that, lol ) p.s. This is not a studio quality recording.I think talent of reader is infinitely preferable to recording quality, however another version would be best if you prefer the opposite.
A real treasure of delight!
Merle Arrowsmith
Phantastes is going to become one of my very favourites! It shines through and through with wisdom and deep truth. Thomas Copeland is a wonderful reader. The only downside was the poor quality of the recording often sounding like an old vinyl.
Enchanting
Sherie Black
Dreamy childlike fantasy of old. Perfect reader for this type of story. only problem was his microphone wasn't good quality at times
Mike
Beautiful story. I have enjoyed the Copeland fellow whom read this wonder filled tale
CaseyT
great story starts a little slow the reader is a bit quiet
interesting, intriguing, and lively read - goos reader, too
tori hunt
Well read
Dr. A
Interesting tale, well read