At the Back of the North Wind (1871)

All I really call is that this was not y favorite McDonld. ( )

My Vintage Book Circle chose this title. I'm glad because I've never read George MacDonald before. It has some of the elements of Pollyanna with a boy instead of a girl. Much more fantasy and not as down to earth. I'd like to read more about Mr MacDonald and the literature of his time. This feels like it is very much a product of the time. ( )

At the Back of the North Wind is a morality tale for young children and their parents. Did Macdonald seriously believe real children could in any way behave like Little Diamond? Hopefully not but I suppose he was providing a model for children to emulate. And for parents the lessons are simple, love your children, listen to them, guide them and set a good example. If you are in a position to help other children don't hesitate to do so.

While I enjoyed the old-fashioned quality of this novel, I don't know if I would read it to any of my young relatives as it was obvious how it will end. At the Back of the North Wind is not nearly as devastating as Andersen's The Little Match Girl. (I read that many years ago in a store, tearing up, and wondering who would read this to a child.) Thankfully Little Diamond has loving parents and friends. ( )

I came to MacDonald because of Lewis who loved him. I do not. I read this fairly recently, within the last 5 years, and, frankly, I did not like it. It's very Victorian, a mix of schmaltz and real tragedy. ( )