Interesting excerpts of the 19th century author who inspired both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Although pushed out of a Calvinist parish for his unorthodox views, George MacDonald (1824-1905) remained a Christian write of fiction and thought throughout his life. Most of his works of fiction and fantasy are forgotten today, but his original concepts of fantastical worlds led to the creation of both Narnia and Middle Earth by later, and better known, writers.
His characters were three dimensional, and thus although they might on the surface be cruel and sadistic, the reader can also see that they may be pitied or even respected.
An interesting work and a good introduction to "Scotch Christianity." ( )

My reaction has been just the reverse from that of "thomasandmary."
Within a few years of discovering Lewis, I let him open to me almost all the authors he loved. But I never learned to appreciate MacDonald.

This anthology, though, has been wonderful to me for over 30 years now. I still find myself often quoting him, sometimes thinking I am quoting CSL, ( )

Nothing like reading a book about your favorite author, written by your second-favorite author! :) ( )

I thought that I would love this book since I admire both authors, but it was a huge disappointment. I finally gave up on reading it and will put it in our church library. It seems as though George MacDonald wrote things in a lot more complicated way than necessary. ( )

PREFACE BY C. S. LEWIS; DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS