"An allegorical novel, strongly influenced by early 19th century German Romanticism, particularly Novalis, whom the author frequently quotes. Phantastes is a sometimes brilliant, sometimes cloying story of great originality. The most desirable edition is the Fifield (London, 1905) edition, with brief preface by Greville MacDonald, the author's son, and illustrations by Arthur Hughes." - Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction