Michael Phillips
3) Phantastes
George MacDonald’s first major fiction work, in MacDonald’s words “a sort of fairy tale for grown people,” Phantastes was published in 1858. This unusual fantasy, subtitled a “faerie romance,” is...
This second “Curdie” installment, published in 1882, is far more than a mere “children’s story.” The themes and linguistic style of The Princess and Curdie are considerably more advanced, and the depth of its spiritual analogies extensive in subtlety and scope....
The Victorian author, poet, and theologian George MacDonald inspired some of the greatest writers of the early 20th century, including C.S. Lewis, who said MacDonald’s books were pivotal in leading him toward Christianity. While MacDonald’s beloved fiction—including...
One of the nineteenth-century's greatest thinkers, George MacDonald has inspired generations with his fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Now his words of wisdom are available in a series of devotionals compiled and edited by MacDonald scholar and biographer, Michael Phillips....
7) Guild Court
Following on the heels of Robert Falconer’s hugely influential and controversial story, Guild Court, written concurrently with Falconer and published the same year, is one of MacDonald’s lesser known novels. A love story...
MacDonald’s first major English novel, published in 1867, was set in the village of Arundel on the downs south of London near the south channel coast. It was the site of MacDonald’s first and only pastorate as a newly married...
9) Malcolm
This towering 1875 novel, set in the Scottish fishing village of Cullen, is considered by many as George MacDonald’s fictional masterwork. The intricate tale is more true to place than any of MacDonald’s books. As Malcolm is drawn into the web of secrets surrounding...
A novel of a mysterious castle, unknown treasure, romance, and duplicity from the Victorian-era author of Lilith. “One of MacDonald’s very best.”—Richard Reis, author of George MacDonald’s Fiction
This dark realistic novel is somewhat puzzling in MacDonald’s corpus of more uplifting works. Some of its disconcerting themes grew out of George and Louisa MacDonald’s friendship...One woman rebels against society’s strictures to live a life of compassion in this thought-provoking Victorian novel by the author of Robert Falconer.
This 1882 story of a dysfunctional family features another of MacDonald’s memorable female protagonists. Reminiscent of Mary St. John of Robert Falconer, Hester Raymount chooses a single life of ministry among London’s downtrodden (whose character and work...12) Salted with Fire
The Scottish literary master’s final full-length realistic novel—his prodigal son tour de force.
MacDonald’s 1897 novel, Salted with Fire, is replete with dense Scottish dialect and spiritual themes. The repentance (through fire) of young minister James Blatherwick, who recognizes the sham of his pretended spirituality, is reminiscent of Thomas Wingfold’s spiritual journey. It also embodies in...The Victorian author, poet, and theologian George MacDonald inspired some of the greatest writers of the early 20th century, including C.S. Lewis, who said MacDonald’s books were pivotal in leading him toward Christianity. But while MacDonald’s fiction remains...
14) The Portent
A gothic ghost story of romance, adventure, and the supernatural from the acclaimed 19th-century author of Phantastes.
The Portent was originally written for magazine serialization several years prior to its release in book form in 1864. Shorter than most of MacDonald’s novels, this spooky tale of the Scottish “second sight” is a thorough spine-tingling ghost story worthy of the twilight zone. MacDonald’s...15) Mary Marston
A novel of one woman who transcends society’s concerns to stay true to her convictions—from the Victorian-era author of Malcolm.
One of MacDonald’s lengthy and powerful, but not widely studied, novels, Mary Marston is the only book in the MacDonald corpus with a woman featured in the title role. As one of MacDonald’s many strong and memorable leading ladies, Mary exemplifies a life of dedication...16) David Elginbrod
George MacDonald’s first realistic novel, David Elginbrod, was published in 1863. Unable to get his poetry and fantasy published, one of MacDonald’s publishers remarked, “I tell you, Mr. MacDonald, if you would but...
17) The Elect Lady
A novel on the nature of goodness and the concept of the true church from the 19th-century Scottish author of Home Again.
Although one of MacDonald’s lesser-known books, The Elect Lady, published in 1888, stands out for the memorable relationship of godliness, trust, honesty, and humility between three children—Andrew and Sandy Ingram and their friend Dawtie—whose growth into adulthood MacDonald...A triumphant quest for the truth. First in the Wingfold Trilogy from the 19th-century Scottish author of Paul Faber Surgeon and There and Back.
The character of Thomas Wingfold is introduced in this preeminent of George MacDonald’s English novels, a young curate suddenly brought face-to-face with the hypocrisy of having sought the pulpit as a profession rather than a spiritual calling. Wingfold’s prayerful
Second in the Wingfold Trilogy following Thomas Wingfold Curate from one of the greatest writers of Victorian-era Scotland.
A country doctor in the fictional city of Glaston, atheist Paul Faber, encountering spiritually invigorated minister Wingfold, finds himself unexpectedly drawn into his own unwelcome quest for truth. Now it is Wingfold—assisted by Polwarth—sharing his newfound faith with both Paul Faber and