At the Back of the North Wind
At the Back of the North Wind, first published as a book in 1871, is George MacDonald's long fairy tale about Diamond, the son of a London coachman, who sleeps in a hayloft over the stable. One night the North Wind speaks to him through a hole in the wall and appears as a tall and beautiful woman who carries him out over the city and the sea, and at last to the mysterious country at her back. Between these journeys Diamond grows up among cabmen, crossing sweepers and drunkards, and his gentleness changes those around him. MacDonald mixes plain London life, dream and nonsense verse, and sets the inset fairy tale Little Daylight within the story. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about At the Back of the North Wind
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read At the Back of the North Wind online?
Yes. At the Back of the North Wind opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is At the Back of the North Wind free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of At the Back of the North Wind is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is At the Back of the North Wind in the public domain?
Yes. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read At the Back of the North Wind?
About 5 h 55 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is At the Back of the North Wind?
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald is filed under "Children's Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
