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The Goose Girl
Illustrated by Andre Castaigne
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1909
19 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Harold MacGrath
307 books8 followersHarold MacGrath (September 4, 1871 - October 30, 1932) was a bestselling American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter.
Also known occasionally as Harold McGrath, he was born in Syracuse, New York. As a young man, he worked as a reporter and columnist on the Syracuse Herald newspaper until the late 1890s when he published his first novel, a romance titled Arms and the Woman. According to the New York Times, his next book, The Puppet Crown, was the No.7 bestselling book in the United States for all of 1901. From that point on, MacGrath wrote novels for the mass market about love, adventure, mystery, spies, and the like at an average rate of more than one a year. He would have three more of his books that were among the top ten bestselling books of the year. At the same time, he penned a number of short stories for major American magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and Red Book magazine. Several of MacGrath's novels were serialized in these magazines and contributing to them was something he would continue to do until his death in 1932.
In 1912, Harold MacGrath became one of the first nationally-known authors to write directly for the movies when he was hired by the American Film Company to do the screenplay for a short film in the Western genre titled The Vengeance That Failed. MacGrath had eighteen of his forty novels and three of his short stories made into films plus he wrote the story for another four motion pictures. And, three of his books were also made into Broadway plays. One of the many films made from MacGrath's writings was the 1913 serial The Adventures of Kathlyn starring Kathlyn Williams. While writing the thirteen episodes he simultaneously wrote the book that was published immediately after the December 29, 1913, premiere of the first episode of the serial so as to be in book stores during the screening of the entire thirteen episodes.
Also known occasionally as Harold McGrath, he was born in Syracuse, New York. As a young man, he worked as a reporter and columnist on the Syracuse Herald newspaper until the late 1890s when he published his first novel, a romance titled Arms and the Woman. According to the New York Times, his next book, The Puppet Crown, was the No.7 bestselling book in the United States for all of 1901. From that point on, MacGrath wrote novels for the mass market about love, adventure, mystery, spies, and the like at an average rate of more than one a year. He would have three more of his books that were among the top ten bestselling books of the year. At the same time, he penned a number of short stories for major American magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and Red Book magazine. Several of MacGrath's novels were serialized in these magazines and contributing to them was something he would continue to do until his death in 1932.
In 1912, Harold MacGrath became one of the first nationally-known authors to write directly for the movies when he was hired by the American Film Company to do the screenplay for a short film in the Western genre titled The Vengeance That Failed. MacGrath had eighteen of his forty novels and three of his short stories made into films plus he wrote the story for another four motion pictures. And, three of his books were also made into Broadway plays. One of the many films made from MacGrath's writings was the 1913 serial The Adventures of Kathlyn starring Kathlyn Williams. While writing the thirteen episodes he simultaneously wrote the book that was published immediately after the December 29, 1913, premiere of the first episode of the serial so as to be in book stores during the screening of the entire thirteen episodes.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 8, 2016
This is classic dramatic fiction of the type that was so popular at the turn of the 20th century...an American going into an unnamed Eastern European, Germanic country to tilt at windmills and embroil himself in local politics and fall in love in the process. There are a great many twists, and much less lovemaking and tilting at windmills than some such fiction. There are spies to be found, and a crime of a generation ago to be atoned for. Who really stole the Duke's daughter? Have they finally found the right girl? And who is the myseterious vintner who is so eager to hide his identity from our hero? And through it all weaves the quiet tale of the goose girl, Gretchen.
I read it in a single afternoon and enjoyed the escape to the imagined past to the fullest!
I read it in a single afternoon and enjoyed the escape to the imagined past to the fullest!
September 9, 2022
predictable plot but well written.
August 31, 2007
"...the poor were generally poor because of their incapabilities, their ignorance, and incompetence." Woah there! A ridiculously classist romance featuring abducted princesses! spies! tense conversations at balls! The writing is good, but the plot is a little too laughable for my taste.
October 30, 2015
Cute story and it kept me guessing to the end but I'm not sure if that because the mystery really was good or because I kept mentally comparing it to Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl and getting confused! But I did enjoy it!
December 12, 2025
The Goose Girl, by Harold MacGrath, is a sweet romance/fairy tale historical fiction set in a German duchy in maybe the 19th century. The plot basically follows a peasant girl and a vintner who are planning to marry, while an American consul, who looks out for the peasant girl when he can, pines after the princess of the duchy, who dreads being married off, and an old man comes to town to clear his conscience. Obviously there’s slightly more to it than that, but I don’t want to spoil anything. The climax of the story centers on royal intrigues and plots, mistaken identities and disguises, and, as in all fairy tales, everyone ends up happily ever after in a sweet, fairy tale way.
I didn’t know what to expect, as I had only the reader blurbs here on Goodreads to go by – my copy not having a dust jacket, if it ever did, to give me a plot synopsis – so I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. There are several characters to keep track of, and some are introduced and you have no idea why until later, but it all comes together well and satisfyingly.
I didn’t know what to expect, as I had only the reader blurbs here on Goodreads to go by – my copy not having a dust jacket, if it ever did, to give me a plot synopsis – so I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. There are several characters to keep track of, and some are introduced and you have no idea why until later, but it all comes together well and satisfyingly.
July 14, 2017
I liked the story line. I read that this story is based on a fairy tale. It read like an old fashioned fairy tale. There were kings, a princess, spies and talk of war between the kingdoms. There were a lot of characters introduced in the first chapter. They all had different titles in their name. It really muddled the plot and was confusing to read. It was also predictable. I had this one figured out at 50 percent finished. Maybe I read too many fairy tales when I was a kid. I knew the poor little peasant goose girl was much more than a lowly girl who herded the geese and worked in a tavern. I kept reading because I wanted to know who kidnapped the princess and why.
October 7, 2017
Delightful story of a poor girl, a princess and their loves. Delightful read!
January 1, 2023
3.5 stars
A little predictable but still good. Kind of a prince and the pauper tale.
A little predictable but still good. Kind of a prince and the pauper tale.
August 27, 2015
The Goose Girl, by Harold MacGrath, is a sweet romance/fairy tale historical fiction set in a German duchy in maybe the 19th century. The plot basically follows a peasant girl and a vintner who are planning to marry, while an American consul, who looks out for the peasant girl when he can, pines after the princess of the duchy, who dreads being married off, and an old man comes to town to clear his conscience. Obviously there’s slightly more to it than that, but I don’t want to spoil anything. The climax of the story centers on royal intrigues and plots, mistaken identities and disguises, and, as in all fairy tales, everyone ends up happily ever after in a sweet, fairy tale way.
I didn’t know what to expect, as I had only the reader blurbs here on Goodreads to go by – my copy not having a dust jacket, if it ever did, to give me a plot synopsis – so I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. There are several characters to keep track of, and some are introduced and you have no idea why until later, but it all comes together well and satisfyingly.
I didn’t know what to expect, as I had only the reader blurbs here on Goodreads to go by – my copy not having a dust jacket, if it ever did, to give me a plot synopsis – so I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. There are several characters to keep track of, and some are introduced and you have no idea why until later, but it all comes together well and satisfyingly.
January 23, 2016
A perfect princess romance story and Harold Macgrath writes it beautifully. He also made this (and plenty other books) into silent films. Unfortunately it is one of the many missing ones but we can clearly imagine what it could have been. Macgrath is clear when describing scenes and emotions but I did get little confused in who was who... the various different titles didn't help. Putting that aside, a very pleasant read.
June 26, 2009
This is a great story of mistaken identity.
I enjoyed how the author brought in the story from various different points of view and each leaving enough of the story a mystery to keep you reading.
Although I had an idea of how the book would end, there still was a lot let as mystery.
I really enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed how the author brought in the story from various different points of view and each leaving enough of the story a mystery to keep you reading.
Although I had an idea of how the book would end, there still was a lot let as mystery.
I really enjoyed this book.
August 28, 2012
I like to peruse old book stores and I think this may be an original, published in 1909, edition. I've no idea how to rate this book yet, since I'm only a few pages in. Bought it simply because it's old and looked charming. It's the first book I've opened since I finished my degree in English Lit at BYU last month! I was a bit burned out and chose this one off my shelves on a whim.
October 13, 2010
I picked this one up at a yard sale and surprisingly loved it! Although the end was a bit predictable, it was a SWEET read! You will enjoy it! (I just may add this one to my personal, classic read list!)
March 17, 2012
A pleasant, light fairy tale set in a fictional 19th century european duchy. Nothing terribly deep. Just enjoyable.
MacGrath wrote many adventure/romance/mystery action tales around the turn of the 20th century. This one was made into a film in 1915.
MacGrath wrote many adventure/romance/mystery action tales around the turn of the 20th century. This one was made into a film in 1915.
September 9, 2017
I could not put the page-turner down! Though somewhat predictable, I remained surprised and completely captivated as each portion of the mystery unfolded. Such a fun period romantic mystery story!! Quick, fun read :)
September 6, 2010
like the princess bride!! romantic mistaken identity!
this time i was able to see a little better the time setting. Just after the civil war. huh.
this time i was able to see a little better the time setting. Just after the civil war. huh.
April 26, 2012
It was a pleasant story that you knew would work out but that is not overly happily-ever-after
September 26, 2013
sweet little book, it did feel that it started in the middle and took me awhile to pick it up. the ending also seemed tad lacking, but had an overall nice feel to it.
November 4, 2015
It is a well written, good read, fun and engaging.
June 22, 2011
LOVE Shannon Hale - this is by far her best!!
October 29, 2015
Cute, predictable, and a fast book to skim through.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews