At the Back of the North Wind

At the Back of the North Wind

George MacDonald

What is At the Back of the North Wind about?

At the Back of the North Wind (1871) follows Diamond, a young boy who befriends the North Wind — a beautiful, mysterious woman who carries him on nighttime journeys through the sky. A fairy tale about innocence, death, and the world beyond, told with tenderness and imaginative power.

auto_stories38 chaptersENChildren'sFantasy

Main themes in At the Back of the North Wind

North Wind

The presence of north wind in At the Back of the North Wind connects readers to its enduring relevance.

Child fantasy

Child fantasy emerges as a defining element in At the Back of the North Wind, shaping character development.

Death and transcendence

In At the Back of the North Wind, death and transcendence provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.

Night journeys

The theme of night journeys weaves through At the Back of the North Wind, adding depth to its narrative.

Why At the Back of the North Wind is still relevant today

One of the most beautiful Victorian children's fantasies. Its gentle treatment of death and transcendence has comforted readers for over 150 years.

About the author

George MacDonald

More by this author

Frequently Asked Questions

What is At the Back of the North Wind about?

A boy befriends the North Wind, who takes him on nighttime sky journeys — a tender fantasy about innocence and transcendence.

Where can I read it?

Free on TextStack.

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