Phantastes

Strange, disjointed tale with some compelling images and lines but overall not as satisfying as some of MacDonald's other works. Read because of C.S. Lewis's statement in Surprised by Joy of the powerful effect it had on him – one of those books that can be incredible when it hits you at the right time. It was not the same for me.

Dreamlike, but that is not necessarily a compliment.

The story feels very uneven, with some very successful and transcendent stories and some decidedly less so. The metanarrative struck me as strained and didn't seem to do a good job of explaining Anodos' motivations, actions, or what was going on.

As a parable, some of the interludes are excellent, some more questionable.