Works by George MacDonald

At the Back of the North Wind
Description: Scottish author George MacDonald was a Christian children's author best-known for his popular fantasy stories Lillith and Phantases. MacDonald was an inspiration for writers of children's fiction such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, Madeline L'Engle, Lewis Carroll, and even Mark Twain. At the Back of the North Wind is the fantastical story of Diamond, a young boy whose adventures begin when the North Wind offers to take him for a ride on her back. Though Diamond is poor and his reality is grim, his heart is pure and his wisdom is extraordinary. Through his friendship with the North Wind, Diamond is able to encounter exciting and, at times, challenging adventures. In addition to its ethereal quality, this book is imbued with Christian philosophy and some Dickens-like social commentary. MacDonald emphasizes many important Christian themes, including pain, good and evil, heaven, and God's providence, omniscience, and omnipotence. George MacDonald wrote this children's story for publication in a young reader's magazine in 1868. Three years later it was published in book form and Diamond has been tugging at readers' heartstrings ever since. Full of Victorian style and ideology, North Wind is a story that is best read aloud to children and will thrill audiences for generations to come.

CCEL Staff Writer
David Elginbrod
Description: This work was the first of the famed fantasy novelist’s novels in the style of realism. It tells the story of Hugh Sutherland, a young Scotsman who, while facing personal trials, befriends David Elginbrod and his daughter, Maggie. Readers and critics alike have praised and cherished the novel not only for its artistry, but also for its tender and precise portrayal of human life. Although not as well-known as The Princess and the Goblin or At the Back of the North Wind, David Elginbrod possesses truth and beauty all its own, and does not deserve to be overlooked.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff
Day Boy and the Night Girl
Donal Grant
Description:
Scottish author George MacDonald was a Christian children's author best known for his popular fantasy stories, fairy tales, and memorable young protagonists. MacDonald was an inspiration for writers of children's fiction such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, Madeline L'Engle, Lewis Carroll, and even Mark Twain. Donal Grant is the story of Donal, a man who has just finished college and sets out on a journey to a nearby town. There, he finds a spiritual mentor and several of his family members. The story is filled with supernatural occurrences - ghosts, legends, and somnambulism. MacDonald, per usual, incorporates many "sermonettes" into the novel, and topics like evil and secrets and discussed with a religious bent. This is one of MacDonald's more challenging novels due to its 800 print page length and the realistic Scottish dialect he uses for dialogue, but the story is well worth the struggle. Fans of MacDonald will enjoy this less well-known work.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

This book refers back to Sir Gibbie, though it may stand on its own.
Elect Lady [from Project Gutenberg]
Heather and Snow [from Archive.org]
Light Princess
Lilith
Description: After several strange occurrences, Mr. Vane believes his library is haunted. It is not until he is acquainted with the mysterious Mr. Raven that Mr. Vane learns of the magical world that lurks within his reach. Upon visiting this world with Mr. Raven, Mr. Vane encounters incredulous beings, some good, some dangerous. He witnesses many extraordinary things and eventually, his hazardous journey leads him to find love and face death; ultimately he must decide between the two. This story is heavily influenced by Christian themes, as readers must wrestle with the concepts of death and salvation alongside Mr. Vane. This whimsical novel is a dark fantasy tale written for adult readers. Of his fantasy stories, George MacDonald claimed to write not necessarily for children, but for the child-like. MacDonald has been said to be one of the most influential fantasy writers of the 19th century, having inspired writers such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Madeline L'Engle.

Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer
Phantastes: A faerie romance for men and women [from Archive.org]
Robert Falconer
Description: Robert Falconer, also published under the title of The Musician’s Quest, tells the tale of a young man’s search for God and the meaning of life. After the death of his parents, Robert’s grandmother takes him in. Although she loves and cares for him, she adheres to an austere lifestyle and strict religious doctrines. As Robert struggles to find purpose, he is torn between the severe Christianity of his grandmother and the loving God he feels he knows. Full of genuine human sentiment and thoughtfulness, MacDonald’s novel has fascinated readers for over a century. The author himself considered Robert Falconer his favorite character, and beloved Christian writer C.S. Lewis cited it as one of the books that helped him start out on his spiritual journey.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff
Salted With Fire [from Project Gutenberg]
Sir Gibbie
Description:
Scottish author George MacDonald wrote Sir Gibbie in 1879, and though the novel is less well-known than his popular fantasy stories Lillith and Phantases, it is cited as his best work by many fans. MacDonald was an inspiration for writer of children's fiction such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, Madeline L'Engle, Lewis Carroll, and even Mark Twain. Lovers of Narnia and Alice will appreciate the genuine characters and moral lessons of Sir Gibbie, a compelling story of an impoverished, mute boy in Scotland. Raised by an abusive and alcoholic father, Gibbie is a kind-hearted youngster handed a tough lot. He copes beautifully, though, with help from his friend Janet, and in the end performs an act of genuine forgiveness. Sir Gibbie will expose children (and parents) to the cruelty of the world while simultaneously presenting them with a role model of mercy and grace. This powerful book is considered by many a great literary triumph and a powerful example of a heroic character who is truly good.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

The natural sequel to this book is Donal Grant.
Unspoken Sermons [from Johannesen Printing & Publishing]
Description: George MacDonald was a well-known and well-loved Christian author and poet in the 19th century. He had an important impact on figures such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton. Although he wrote much beloved fiction, MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons is some of the most wonderful and profound literature a person can read. The sermons are arranged in series, so that they build upon one another. Throughout, MacDonald is more concerned with a person developing a love of God than developing dogmas. That is, MacDonald's sermons are more concerned with doing the will of God than believing true things about God. Though MacDonald's approach to theology is not the usual one, nevertheless the results are astounding. Many readers feel they are being swept into the presence of God upon reading these sermons. MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons truly provide a chance for a person to more closely love God and humankind.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer
Unspoken Sermons Second Series [from Johannesen Printing & Publishing]
Description: George MacDonald was a well-known and well-loved Christian author and poet in the 19th century. He had an important impact on figures such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton. Although he wrote much beloved fiction, MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons is some of the most wonderful and profound literature a person can read. The sermons are arranged in series, so that they build upon one another. Throughout, MacDonald is more concerned with a person developing a love of God than developing dogmas. That is, MacDonald's sermons are more concerned with doing the will of God than believing true things about God. Though MacDonald's approach to theology is not the usual one, nevertheless the results are astounding. Many readers feel they are being swept into the presence of God upon reading these sermons. MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons truly provide a chance for a person to more closely love God and humankind.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer
Unspoken Sermons Series One [from Johannesen Printing & Publishing]
Description: George MacDonald was a well-known and well-loved Christian author and poet in the 19th century. He had an important impact on figures such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton. Although he wrote much beloved fiction, MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons is some of the most wonderful and profound literature a person can read. The sermons are arranged in series, so that they build upon one another. Throughout, MacDonald is more concerned with a person developing a love of God than developing dogmas. That is, MacDonald's sermons are more concerned with doing the will of God than believing true things about God. Though MacDonald's approach to theology is not the usual one, nevertheless the results are astounding. Many readers feel they are being swept into the presence of God upon reading these sermons. MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons truly provide a chance for a person to more closely love God and humankind.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer
Unspoken Sermons Third Series [from Johannesen Printing & Publishing]
Description: George MacDonald was a well-known and well-loved Christian author and poet in the 19th century. He had an important impact on figures such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton. Although he wrote much beloved fiction, MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons is some of the most wonderful and profound literature a person can read. The sermons are arranged in series, so that they build upon one another. Throughout, MacDonald is more concerned with a person developing a love of God than developing dogmas. That is, MacDonald's sermons are more concerned with doing the will of God than believing true things about God. Though MacDonald's approach to theology is not the usual one, nevertheless the results are astounding. Many readers feel they are being swept into the presence of God upon reading these sermons. MacDonald's Unspoken Sermons truly provide a chance for a person to more closely love God and humankind.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer