= At_the_Back_of_the_North

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= At_the_Back_of_the_North_Wind =
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Introduction
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'At the Back of the North Wind' is a children's book written by
Scottish author George MacDonald. It was serialized in the children's
magazine 'Good Words for the Young' beginning in 1868 and was
published in book form in 1871. It is a fantasy centered on a boy
named Diamond and his adventures with the North Wind. Diamond travels
together with the mysterious Lady North Wind through the nights. The
book includes the fairy tale 'Little Daylight', which has been pulled
out as an independent work or added separately to other collections of
his fairy tales.

Plot introduction
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The book tells the story of a young boy named Diamond. He is a sweet
little boy who makes joy everywhere he goes. He fights despair and
gloom and brings peace to his family. One night, as he is trying to
sleep, Diamond repeatedly plugs up a hole in the loft (also his
bedroom) wall to stop the wind from blowing in. However, he soon finds
out that this is stopping a goddess-like being, North Wind, from
seeing through her window. Diamond befriends her, and North Wind lets
him fly with her, taking him on several adventures, until he
understands her true nature.

Themes
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In this book, MacDonald touches on many theological and philosophical
questions, especially concerning theodicy. Today, it is considered one
of his masterpieces. According to MacDonald's son and biographer
Greville MacDonald, there are many similarities between Diamond and
MacDonald's own son Maurice, who died young. Diamond seems to
represent Christ, always trying to help others while not completely
belonging to this world.

Abridged editions
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In 1914, a version "Simplified for Children" by Elizabeth Lewis was
published by Lippincott. This newer version shortened the original
length of approx. 89,339 words to 27,605 words. It was illustrated by
Maria L. Kirk.

Radio
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Conservative Christian series 'Focus on the Family Radio Theatre'
produced an audio drama adaption in 2005 starring Juliet Stevenson as
the title character and Pax Baldwin as Diamond.

External links
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*
* [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/225 complete text, from Project
Gutenberg]
* [http://www.samizdat.qc.ca/arts/lit/PDFs/BackoftheNorthWind_GM.pdf
At the Back of the North Wind] Ebook (PDF format)
* [http://www.northwindmusical.com 'At the Back of the North Wind', a
stage musical]
* [http://www.childrensnursery.org.uk/north-wind/index.html At the
Back of the North Wind] Blackie and Sons 1911 edition with color
illustrations
*
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060717213132/http://www.quod-est-dicendum.org/Literatur/At_the_back_of_the_North_Wind_23_09_04.htm
A German article on "At the back of the North Wind"]
*
*
[https://store.focusonthefamily.com/radio-theatre-at-the-back-of-the-north-wind
Radio Theatre adaptation/dramatization by Focus on the Family]
*[https://www.amazon.co.uk/At-Back-North-Wind-Audiobook/dp/1527270025/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=at+the+back+of+the+north+wind+audiobook+donna+k+triggs&qid=1604682408&quartzVehicle=93-1261&replacementKeywords=at+the+back+of+the+north+audiobook+donna+k+triggs&sr=8-2
At The Back of the North Wind Unabridged Audiobook (2020) by Goblin
Market Theatre Company Ltd.]

License
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License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_the_Back_of_the_North_Wind