Last night we while were out to dinner at a friend’s house, we were talking about plans for the future, and I realized that it was the first day of fall. I mentioned it at the table, and Tony nodded.
“This morning, when I woke up, the leaves sounded like fall,” he said.
How on earth does he do things like that? I suppose that if you are outside a lot, with your hands in the soil and your eyes on the skies, you become aware of subtle clues in nature. Maybe the leaves are a little drier, and they “rustle” more than “swish” in the wind.
But leaves falling to the ground is a seriously melancholy time in this house! We have all been outside a lot, trying to harvest a few more wild grapes. . .
collecting herbs for Tony’s various potions. . .
or trying to coax a little more out of our garden.
So Tony keeps us all firmly connected to the outdoors, but he also loves good stories, and is motivated by them. This fall he somehow found time to finish a new audio book: The Princess and the Goblin, by George McDonald.
We are all excited about this new book because it’s the first full-length novel he has offered for sale. The handmade packaging he has developed really helps bring the story to life; he has included some of the beautiful old drawings made for the story by Pre-Raphaelite artist, Arthur Hughes.
Characters include the Princess Irene who is tired of her toys, and longs for real adventure;her father, the King, who is busy defending the borders of the kingdom while dreadful danger lurks near his beloved daughter right at home. Princess Irene’s accidental companion is a courageous miner boy who rescues her early in the story from the goblins who live in the mine. Also featured is Princess Irene’s mysterious grandmother, who lives in a garret room high in the castle: She gives Irene a precious gift that works only if Irene has the courage to use it.
Irene’s only chance for safety is to trust her grandmother and obey the unusual commands she gives, which seem to put Irene directly in danger. And what is the terrible motivation of the goblins, who lie in wait whenever Irene goes outside the castle?
A delight for both children and adults, The Princess and the Goblin will be available the last week in September. Tony will be posting a trailer in the coming days on his YouTube channel, and I will put a link below this post when it’s ready. For more information, or to purchase your copy of The Princess and the Goblin, email Tony at info@thefullersfour.com.
You can listen to a preview of The Princess and the Goblin here.
The Fullers Four 