George MacDonald

Enter the world of "Thomas Wingfold, Curate, Complete," a classic of religious fiction by George MacDonald. Follow the journey of Thomas Wingfold, a curate navigating the complexities of parish life and spiritual growth. MacDonald, a master of literary and religious storytelling, crafts a narrative that explores faith, doubt, and the search for deeper meaning. This meticulously prepared edition of "Thomas Wingfold, Curate" offers readers the complete story of a compelling fictitious character. MacDonald's insightful prose examines the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to Christian principles. A timeless exploration of faith and the human condition, this book resonates with anyone interested in religious and literary fiction. Experience the enduring power of MacDonald's storytelling in this beautiful edition. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Enter the world of "Thomas Wingfold, Curate, Complete," a classic of religious fiction by George MacDonald. Follow the journey of Thomas Wingfold, a curate navigating the complexities of parish life and spiritual growth. MacDonald, a master of literary and religious storytelling, crafts a narrative that explores faith, doubt, and the search for deeper meaning. This meticulously prepared edition of "Thomas Wingfold, Curate" offers readers the complete story of a compelling fictitious character. MacDonald's insightful prose examines the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to Christian principles. A timeless exploration of faith and the human condition, this book resonates with anyone interested in religious and literary fiction. Experience the enduring power of MacDonald's storytelling in this beautiful edition. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Unabridged, Illustrated and TranslatedFeaturing new illustrations by artist Carrie Stout, English translation of all Scots dialogue side-by-side with original text, and an introduction by Dale Ahlquist, President of the American Chesterton Society. ALEC FORBES OF HOWGLEN is George MacDonald's second Scottish novel, and the ninth to be included in this translation series. Set in the environs of the author's home town, it is a blended history of light and shade, in which floods and school thrashings are alleviated by outrageous childhood pranks, the delights of song and verse, and the growing bonds of fellowship forged in fire. Above all, this favourite of Father Brown author G. K. Chesterton is full of what he calls MacDonald's "celestial wit", and alive with that spiritual transcendence which is the hallmark of all his works." It is in exactly the same sense in which we pity a man who has missed the whole of Keats or Milton, that we can feel compassion for the critic who has not walked in the forest of Phantastes or made the acquaintance of Mr Cupples in the adventures of Alec Forbes."-G. K. Chesterton" In David Jack's translation of Alec Forbes]...the value of having the original Scottish and the English translation... is that] both are charming. They enhance one another. At the beginning of the last century, Chesterton says MacDonald has yet to be discovered. In our century, it is finally starting to happen."- Dale Ahlquist, President of the American Chesterton Society"While studying Victorian Literature in graduate school, I never once heard or saw the name of George MacDonald mentioned. Hence, when I first read Alec Forbes of Howglen, I experienced a sea-change-or perhaps "river change" would better describe it. Amazed by the cogency and insight of the novel, I suddenly recognized why MacDonald's fiction should be taken seriously. Nevertheless, like Alec negotiating a flooded river, I struggled to stay afloat whenever streams of Scots dialogue flooded the text. David Jack's lovely translation of MacDonald's Doric has made these overwhelming passages navigable, allowing readers to baptize their imaginations without abandoning ship."- Dr. Crystal Downing, former co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center and author of six books about faith and culture

Fairy tale written by George MacDonald and included as a story within a story in At the Back of the North Wind, published in 1871. It has subsequently been published as an independent story, and in collections of his other fairy tales. In the story, a king and queen gain a daughter, whom they name Daylight. They invite all the fairies who live in the woods by their palace, except one, newly arrived, who lives in the swamp and has everyone convinced she is a witch. The fairy arrives anyway, and demands the baby's name. On hearing it is "Little Daylight" she says it shall be little daylight, as the princess would sleep all day. Another fairy gives her the gift of waking all night, but the swamp fairy insists that she was not done with the curse, and that Daylight shall wax and wane with the moon. A second fairy says that the curse shall be broken when a prince kisses her without knowing it, and the swamp fairy can not pretend again that she was not done. As the princess grows up, she is beautiful and full of high spirits at the full moon, and as it wanes, turns wan and withered, as if sickly. The older she grows the more extreme the contrast becomes. A nearby prince gets involved. Read on

The Vicar's Daughter by George MacDonald is a novel that centers on Ethelwyn Percivale, a young woman reflecting on her life as she embarks on a new journey of marriage and self-discovery. The story unfolds through Ethelwyn's introspective narration as she leaves her parents' home to start a new life with her husband, Percivale. In the early chapters, she shares her emotional struggles and insecurities, especially about her ability to document her life and express her story. Ethelwyn's relationships with her parents play a pivotal role in shaping her understanding of love, identity, and personal growth. Her father, a philosophical figure, provides wisdom that influences her worldview, while her mother's nurturing presence offers emotional support. Throughout the narrative, themes of fidelity, familial bonds, and the tensions between societal expectations and personal desires emerge. As Ethelwyn reflects on her experiences, the novel explores her journey of maturation, grappling with emerging adulthood, the complexities of marriage, and the search for individuality within a changing world.

The Princess and the Goblin follows the adventures of eight-year-old Princess Irene and a young miner named Curdie. Living in a desolate castle, Irene discovers a magical great-great-grandmother, who provides her with a protective ring and an invisible thread that guides her through danger. Meanwhile, the kingdom's mines are inhabited by goblins plotting revenge against humans. Curdie, who learns the goblins' secrets and weaknesses, becomes the princess's protector. Through a mix of courage, magic, and friendship, the story explores themes of trust, bravery, and the battle between light and darkness. George MacDonald, considered a pioneer of modern fantasy, blended elements of folklore, magic, and morality into The Princess and the Goblin in a way that would inspire later writers, including C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and G. K. Chesterton. The novel's imaginative storytelling, with themes of bravery, trust, and the struggle between good and evil, set a precedent for character-driven narratives in children's fantasy. Its depiction of a young princess's courage and the use of supernatural elements laid the groundwork for many of the fantasy tropes familiar in literature today. This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.

Originally published in 1878, Paul Faber, Surgeon is the second in MacDonald's classic "Wingfold Trilogy." Wingfold, at last a curate of solid faith which he has made real through a rigorous search for truth, encounters atheist Paul Faber. Both men's stories are journeys of faith, although Faber experiences no religious conversion. As MacDonald says of him in the end, "He was growing, and that is all we can require of any man."