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The Wise Woman and Other Stories
This is one volume in the four-volume collection of the complete fantasy stories of George MacDonald, the great nineteenth-century innovator of modern fantasy, whose works influenced C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams.
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1875
About the author
George MacDonald
1,880 books2,276 followersGeorge MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 1, 2015
The title story of this collection is exactly what you would expect of a fairy tale written by a minister and subtitled 'a parable', which is to say it's not particularly fantastical, and feels a great deal like reading a sermon. Condescending and blandly didactic--MacDonald never lets an image or symbol stand on its own, but must always hem and haw about it, telling us what is right and what is not.
There is little enough wonder in it--we are told what to think and why. the focus is always on little errors and rules and flaws of character, never upon anything grander, nothing to ignite man’s imagination or awe--indeed, it is all terribly petty.
He seems to think of children as awful little monsters, naturally disposed to self-destruction--and the only way to fix them is to put them through a series of strange tortures. They are not corrected and taught by example, or by interaction, or explanation, or by forming any kind of genuine relationship with the child, but rather by leaving them alone and letting them grow more and more confused, miserable, and terrified. At one point the 'wise woman' uses her magic to make a child think she has accidentally killed her playmate.
Of course, anyone familiar with the tradition of English Boarding schools, whether through 'school stories' or the autobiographical accounts of figures like Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, and George Orwell will recognize this sort of distant, abusive ‘hard love’ that English schooling became infamous for.
His view of humanity just comes off as so negative--so prejudiced and judgmental--and at the same time condescending. The Wise Woman of the story is entirely convinced that hers is the proper way, that no matter what she puts the children through, abandoning, confusing, and demanding things of them, it is the right thing, and will prove so in the end. Of course, in fantasy the author can create whatever sort of world they want, one which reflects his own whims and judgments, and which in the end justifies them, producing whatever effect is required.
That is why didactic works like this are so far inferior to open-ended works like Dunsany’s, which show us remarkable things, lead us through strange, new thoughts, instead of insisting that we take from it any particular message or lesson.
Dunsany is not top-down, he does not require that you believe as he does--he is not so conceited. Instead, he intends to open the world to you--not to tell you something which he thinks you ought to know, but to share an experience with you, not doling out from on high, but engaging in a give-and-take--an opportunity for both author and reader to learn and grow and see the world anew.
All in all, it is not surprising to learn that MacDonald mentored C.S. Lewis, as there is that same sense of being alternately scolded and coddled by a pretentious schoolmaster. However, the last few stories which make up this collection, while much briefer, do not suffer from this same voice. They are a bit plain, but they are not judgmental or sermonizing--indeed, there are some clever and humorous bits of dialogue in them.
It gives me hope that perhaps some of MacDonald's other stories are more pleasant and wondrous, and that I've just chanced to stumble upon him at his worst--I've certainly heard promising things about works like Phantastes and The Princess and the Goblin, but I fear it will be some time before this foul taste disperses and I feel up to cracking open another of his books.
There is little enough wonder in it--we are told what to think and why. the focus is always on little errors and rules and flaws of character, never upon anything grander, nothing to ignite man’s imagination or awe--indeed, it is all terribly petty.
He seems to think of children as awful little monsters, naturally disposed to self-destruction--and the only way to fix them is to put them through a series of strange tortures. They are not corrected and taught by example, or by interaction, or explanation, or by forming any kind of genuine relationship with the child, but rather by leaving them alone and letting them grow more and more confused, miserable, and terrified. At one point the 'wise woman' uses her magic to make a child think she has accidentally killed her playmate.
Of course, anyone familiar with the tradition of English Boarding schools, whether through 'school stories' or the autobiographical accounts of figures like Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, and George Orwell will recognize this sort of distant, abusive ‘hard love’ that English schooling became infamous for.
His view of humanity just comes off as so negative--so prejudiced and judgmental--and at the same time condescending. The Wise Woman of the story is entirely convinced that hers is the proper way, that no matter what she puts the children through, abandoning, confusing, and demanding things of them, it is the right thing, and will prove so in the end. Of course, in fantasy the author can create whatever sort of world they want, one which reflects his own whims and judgments, and which in the end justifies them, producing whatever effect is required.
That is why didactic works like this are so far inferior to open-ended works like Dunsany’s, which show us remarkable things, lead us through strange, new thoughts, instead of insisting that we take from it any particular message or lesson.
Dunsany is not top-down, he does not require that you believe as he does--he is not so conceited. Instead, he intends to open the world to you--not to tell you something which he thinks you ought to know, but to share an experience with you, not doling out from on high, but engaging in a give-and-take--an opportunity for both author and reader to learn and grow and see the world anew.
All in all, it is not surprising to learn that MacDonald mentored C.S. Lewis, as there is that same sense of being alternately scolded and coddled by a pretentious schoolmaster. However, the last few stories which make up this collection, while much briefer, do not suffer from this same voice. They are a bit plain, but they are not judgmental or sermonizing--indeed, there are some clever and humorous bits of dialogue in them.
It gives me hope that perhaps some of MacDonald's other stories are more pleasant and wondrous, and that I've just chanced to stumble upon him at his worst--I've certainly heard promising things about works like Phantastes and The Princess and the Goblin, but I fear it will be some time before this foul taste disperses and I feel up to cracking open another of his books.
September 26, 2014
George MacDonald is nowadays primarily remembered for being an influence on Tolkein and Lewis. A few of the stories in here were preachy, but I was fascinated by what exactly they were preaching. Modern books teach children to be confident, assertive, and most of all to have a feeling of self worth. MacDonald preaches the opposite: humility, submissiveness, and a feeling of your own nothingness before God.
Other stories reminded me of Norrell and Strange.
Other stories reminded me of Norrell and Strange.
May 29, 2012
It is amazing that the writings of a Victorian author from 130 years ago can still capture the imaginations of modern children. My kids are loving both the truths that McDonald depicts so clearly and the magical story those truths are woven into.
June 24, 2017
As a short story, and as a life lesson, 'The Wise Woman' is not very far short of perfection. Its length gives MacDonald scope to explore the theme of redemptive 'tough love' with the requisite thoroughness, and his gifts as a narrator and-in the most positive sense-a preacher are in full evidence here. The eponymous Wise Woman takes two recalcitrant children, Rosamond and Agnes, away from their respective parents who have done them little but harm, and sets about reclaiming their humanity after they have both been petted and indulged to the point of the near complete ruination of their characters. The ways in which she prosecutes this endeavour are various and ingenious, but suffice it to say that the two girls are forced to confront their egos, or as MacDonald says, the 'Somebodies' they have cherished within them, and to see them as they are-horrifying to the last degree-thus helping them as far as possible towards the final throwing-off of their ingrained self-conceit. Even the Wise Woman though, can only help them so far as they are willing to be helped (MacDonald says this explicitly at one point and implicitly throughout) and so the wonderful yet terrible reality of free will-the choice between self-control and weak capitulation to every mood that seizes us-becomes a central theme of the story. Lewis said that nowhere outside the New Testament had he found comfort and terror so intertwined as in the writings of MacDonald, and this is as true here as in any of his writings-though it is ostensibly a 'children's story'-because the same confrontation with reality that is forced upon Rosamond and Agnes also faces anyone who reads the tale who is not completely devoid of sense or imagination. I have only given the bare bones, or 'inner workings' of it here, because I am speaking of its core message, but it is typical MacDonald in its imaginative richness, its poetic turns of expression, and its depiction of the homely and humble as the truly beautiful.
May 26, 2007
This book convicted me about my sins and short-comings more than just about any other book. And it's a children's story.
April 17, 2022
Pamätám si na svoje prvé čítanie MacDonalda. Dni sa pre mňa zmenili na nepoznanie. Spôsob akým človeku nenásilne ponúka príležitosť nie úteku pred realitou, ale ponorenia do nej prostredníctvom rozprávkového sveta, ktorý tvorí na jej obraz, pre mňa bolo niečim úplne novým, nepomenovateľným, a predsa nesmierne jedinečným a hlboko ceneným mojím vtedy ešte teistickým, no nie katolíckym ja.
Dôvod, prečo sa k MacDonaldovi dnes po takmer dvoch rokoch vraciam je sám C. S. Lewis, ktorý dal tento neopísateľný pocit po čítaní MacDonalda do slov po svojej osobnej skúsenosti s MacDonaldovým Phantastes (pasáž z jeho diela Surprised by Joy):
„Až dovtedy sa po každej návšteve radosti zmenil obyčajný svet na chvíľu na púšť - Prvý dotyk zeme bol takmer smrteľný… Nerád som sa vracal do toho nášho (sveta). Ale teraz som uvidel žiarivý tieň vychádzajúci z knihy a zaplavujúci skutočný svet… Nemal som ani najmenšej potuchy, aké dvere sa mi otvorili kúpou Phantastes.”
MacDonald v Múdrej Pani robí čosi, čo sa obyčajným smrteľníkom len málokedy podarí. Komunikuje ňou Múdrosť, o ktorej opísanie sa snaží ako západná, tak aj východná tradícia celé stáročia. Dáva ju do slov, ktoré sú zrozumiteľné ako deťom, tak i dospelému človeku či človeku dospievajúcemu, formujúcemu sa, hľadajúcemu. Múdrosť a esenciu, ktorú človek hľadá v gréckej, rímskej, nórskej či v akejkoľvek inej mytológii. To poznanie čohosi Vyššieho, čo sa s takým odhodlaním snaží nájsť a čomu sa s takým odhodlaním snaží priblížiť a porozumieť. Ak ju však nájde, stratí ju každý raz, čo sa vráti do sveta, aký ho dnes poznáme. Stáva sa dočasným zapálením, ktoré síce zanecháva stopu svojej chvíľkovej prítomnosti, no rovnako zostáva iba chvíľkovou skúsenosťou, z ktorej dlhodobo nemožno čerpať. Narozdiel od MacDonalda, ktorý sa snaží o jej zvečnenie prostredníctvom postáv, ktoré vykresľuje tak reálne, transparentne, nefalošovane, že je človek ponorený do sveta, ktorý mu je nesmierne blízky a povedomý aj napriek tomu, že je to jeho prvá skúsenosť s ním a prvá skúsenosť s postavami, o ktorých číta. Istým spôsobom je to ako príchod domov.
Myslím, že práve toto je dôvod, prečo mi je celá zbierka týchto rozprávok tak srdcu blízka. Čítala som ju ešte pred mojou osobnou skúsenosťou s Tým, koho som v tom čase naz��vala “iba” Tvorcom. Práve ona bola súčasťou prípravy a podkladom pre moje hľadanie a osobnú skúsenosť s “Tvorcom”. Bola nasmerovaním, a “nemala som ani najmenšej potuchy, aké dvere sa mi otvorili jej kúpou.” Ak som niekedy zažila čosi podobné Lewisovmu Zaskočeniu Radosťou, tak to bolo práve čítanie Múdrej Pani od Georga MacDonalda.
Myslím, že ešte dlhé roky, a veľmi pravdepodovne do konca mojich dní, bude mať zaslúžené miesto v mojej osobnej knižnici.
Odporúčam každému, kto sa rád stráca vo vymyslených svetoch, pretože sa tak zapálene túži opäť nájsť. Dokonalé spojenie fantazijnej a teologickej literatúry. Vhodná pre čitateľa ktorejkoľvek vekovej kategórie.
Dôvod, prečo sa k MacDonaldovi dnes po takmer dvoch rokoch vraciam je sám C. S. Lewis, ktorý dal tento neopísateľný pocit po čítaní MacDonalda do slov po svojej osobnej skúsenosti s MacDonaldovým Phantastes (pasáž z jeho diela Surprised by Joy):
„Až dovtedy sa po každej návšteve radosti zmenil obyčajný svet na chvíľu na púšť - Prvý dotyk zeme bol takmer smrteľný… Nerád som sa vracal do toho nášho (sveta). Ale teraz som uvidel žiarivý tieň vychádzajúci z knihy a zaplavujúci skutočný svet… Nemal som ani najmenšej potuchy, aké dvere sa mi otvorili kúpou Phantastes.”
MacDonald v Múdrej Pani robí čosi, čo sa obyčajným smrteľníkom len málokedy podarí. Komunikuje ňou Múdrosť, o ktorej opísanie sa snaží ako západná, tak aj východná tradícia celé stáročia. Dáva ju do slov, ktoré sú zrozumiteľné ako deťom, tak i dospelému človeku či človeku dospievajúcemu, formujúcemu sa, hľadajúcemu. Múdrosť a esenciu, ktorú človek hľadá v gréckej, rímskej, nórskej či v akejkoľvek inej mytológii. To poznanie čohosi Vyššieho, čo sa s takým odhodlaním snaží nájsť a čomu sa s takým odhodlaním snaží priblížiť a porozumieť. Ak ju však nájde, stratí ju každý raz, čo sa vráti do sveta, aký ho dnes poznáme. Stáva sa dočasným zapálením, ktoré síce zanecháva stopu svojej chvíľkovej prítomnosti, no rovnako zostáva iba chvíľkovou skúsenosťou, z ktorej dlhodobo nemožno čerpať. Narozdiel od MacDonalda, ktorý sa snaží o jej zvečnenie prostredníctvom postáv, ktoré vykresľuje tak reálne, transparentne, nefalošovane, že je človek ponorený do sveta, ktorý mu je nesmierne blízky a povedomý aj napriek tomu, že je to jeho prvá skúsenosť s ním a prvá skúsenosť s postavami, o ktorých číta. Istým spôsobom je to ako príchod domov.
Myslím, že práve toto je dôvod, prečo mi je celá zbierka týchto rozprávok tak srdcu blízka. Čítala som ju ešte pred mojou osobnou skúsenosťou s Tým, koho som v tom čase naz��vala “iba” Tvorcom. Práve ona bola súčasťou prípravy a podkladom pre moje hľadanie a osobnú skúsenosť s “Tvorcom”. Bola nasmerovaním, a “nemala som ani najmenšej potuchy, aké dvere sa mi otvorili jej kúpou.” Ak som niekedy zažila čosi podobné Lewisovmu Zaskočeniu Radosťou, tak to bolo práve čítanie Múdrej Pani od Georga MacDonalda.
Myslím, že ešte dlhé roky, a veľmi pravdepodovne do konca mojich dní, bude mať zaslúžené miesto v mojej osobnej knižnici.
Odporúčam každému, kto sa rád stráca vo vymyslených svetoch, pretože sa tak zapálene túži opäť nájsť. Dokonalé spojenie fantazijnej a teologickej literatúry. Vhodná pre čitateľa ktorejkoľvek vekovej kategórie.
November 5, 2017
My first time reading George MacDonald, and I really enjoyed it. He definitely packs a lot of morality into his fairytales. Although this tends to be more of the kind, helping morality rather than the Grimm Brothers watch out or your eyes will be pecked out by birds morality (both of which I like for different reasons).
April 29, 2018
A charming, sardonically told, collection of fairy stories.
June 1, 2024
While I technically only finished the first short story in this book (The Wise Woman), I’m marking it as finished because that is what I set out to read.
This was such an incredible story (allegory), convicting and challenging me painfully but beautifully. 100% recommend. Claire thoroughly enjoyed this short read as well.
This was such an incredible story (allegory), convicting and challenging me painfully but beautifully. 100% recommend. Claire thoroughly enjoyed this short read as well.
July 10, 2021
Always an enjoyable collection to read - I absolutely love how imaginative and beautiful each story is!
October 19, 2023
It is as if with every word he writes, he holds a mirror up to my soul, allowing me to see the vileness that lies within, while simultaneously he paints the picture perfectly of a gentle-stern-loving heavenly Father.
December 17, 2021
The Wise Woman was a fun short story. A lot of good principles in it and good advice on how to relate to God.
“You must not do what is wrong, however much you are inclined to do it and you must do what is right no matter how disinclined you are to do it.”
“You must not do what is wrong, however much you are inclined to do it and you must do what is right no matter how disinclined you are to do it.”
September 18, 2018
You can sometimes tell what a book is like just by what the first review is rating it (though not always - Hunger Games is an exception to the rule, even if it shouldn't be). This book's first review is a two-star review. Ouch.
Someone thought I would like this bc I said I liked short stories (bc of the reading challenge) and they were like oh well these are short stories - and naturally if you like short stories, you mean every single one out there, right? Wrong. I gave it a try, but...
If I could rate this 0 stars, I would. This book highkey sucks so much. I'm surprised with the five star reviews - what is five star about this crap? (sorry)
I'm not going to go into details and talk about every single stupid story, but the book ends on a really bad off-key note. It doesn't end. There's freaking no resolution whatsoever. And none of the stories end, really, but this one was an obvious non-ending. They're waiting for their father to return at the beginning and guess what happens in the end? ...Surprise! They're still waiting! But this time, they're happier now fsr - so I guess it's all fine, right.
This book was unsatisfying, had the dumbest endings and morals, and was a complete waste of my time. Never reading this again.
Someone thought I would like this bc I said I liked short stories (bc of the reading challenge) and they were like oh well these are short stories - and naturally if you like short stories, you mean every single one out there, right? Wrong. I gave it a try, but...
If I could rate this 0 stars, I would. This book highkey sucks so much. I'm surprised with the five star reviews - what is five star about this crap? (sorry)
I'm not going to go into details and talk about every single stupid story, but the book ends on a really bad off-key note. It doesn't end. There's freaking no resolution whatsoever. And none of the stories end, really, but this one was an obvious non-ending. They're waiting for their father to return at the beginning and guess what happens in the end? ...Surprise! They're still waiting! But this time, they're happier now fsr - so I guess it's all fine, right.
This book was unsatisfying, had the dumbest endings and morals, and was a complete waste of my time. Never reading this again.
May 9, 2016
[Review of The Wise Woman not including the 'other stories.']
I've read this one before, but had to do a re-read for school along with a study book. It was actually really cool to think about everything rather than just read it. It gives the allegory thing a better chance.
The characters are all strange, not realistic as such, but perfect for the purpose they play in the story. Naturally Rosamond grew a lot throughout the story, changing from a stuck up selfish girl to a thoughtful servant-hearted Princess. That change and growth was really interesting to watch and think on.
The whole allegory came out with the study, and when I read the last page I just sat there for a few moments and thought. It isn't really something that can be explained, but I can say that The Wise Woman is a book best read slowly and thoughtfully, otherwise you'll miss out the deeper meaning.
I've read this one before, but had to do a re-read for school along with a study book. It was actually really cool to think about everything rather than just read it. It gives the allegory thing a better chance.
The characters are all strange, not realistic as such, but perfect for the purpose they play in the story. Naturally Rosamond grew a lot throughout the story, changing from a stuck up selfish girl to a thoughtful servant-hearted Princess. That change and growth was really interesting to watch and think on.
The whole allegory came out with the study, and when I read the last page I just sat there for a few moments and thought. It isn't really something that can be explained, but I can say that The Wise Woman is a book best read slowly and thoughtfully, otherwise you'll miss out the deeper meaning.
June 26, 2016
I was challenged by The Wise Woman to see things differently, to examine my own selfish, prideful heart. The final story, The Castle: A Parable, is lovely and was a delight to read. In addition the illustrations by Craig Yoe are wonderful, even humorous. Read with an open mind & tender heart such as a child has. Do not approach these stories self-righteously, defensively or on the lookout for preaching or moralizing, for that will be reflected back at you. Instead, read them for pleasure, to learn more of Truth, Beauty and Goodness. If you do, then these stories will be satisfying indeed.
March 15, 2008
MacDonald was a major influence on later fantasists like C.S. Lewis. The stories in this collection tend toward the moralistic, but they are so well-written that I couldn't really fault him for it. The title story was my favorite; it was lovely and also really very funny, dealing as it did with two very spoiled girls from very different walks of life, and the wise woman who helps them see that they aren't the center of the universe.
August 10, 2012
Although I've read most of these stories before, "The Wise Woman" was new to me and I loved it. C.S. Lewis said somewhere that MacDonald is not a great novelist but he is a great preacher. It's his very down-to-earth wisdom, humanity, and tenderness that keep me coming back to him over the years - and that despite his universalism, his sentimentalism, his unfortunate poetry, and his tendency to separate Christ and the church.
December 17, 2010
I LOVE The Wise Woman. I have read it twice to my very dramatic daughter Gillian. She loves the story and it is so instructive and always presents great teaching moments.
August 23, 2012
George MacDonald has to be the most imaginative mind I've ever run across. The wonder and wisdom of his books are just pure fun.
February 13, 2015
A parable woven with fantasy that every lover of Narnia tales will adore.
January 18, 2015
Wise Woman was the best.
December 8, 2020
I just can't even say enough good about this book. I didn't actually have the "other stories" part of the book, but couldn't find the version of just "The Wise Woman" that I read with the children.
The story is about two little girls who are selfish, spoiled, and think they are "Somebody" and how they react when they encounter the wise woman. MacDonald's writing is rather antiquated in our time so I wondered how well the children would stay engaged, but his writing is also brilliant so of course they were transfixed by the story which "contrasts the ugliness of pride, selfishness, and conceit. . .with the beauty of humility, sacrifice, and compassion."
Don't think this is just a children's story. I think every parent should read it, for surely it is a lesson in how we can ruin our children with our own shortsightedness. But also be ready to look into the mirror where I saw enough of the girls' ugliness in my own reflection to prompt change.
Highly recommend.
The story is about two little girls who are selfish, spoiled, and think they are "Somebody" and how they react when they encounter the wise woman. MacDonald's writing is rather antiquated in our time so I wondered how well the children would stay engaged, but his writing is also brilliant so of course they were transfixed by the story which "contrasts the ugliness of pride, selfishness, and conceit. . .with the beauty of humility, sacrifice, and compassion."
Don't think this is just a children's story. I think every parent should read it, for surely it is a lesson in how we can ruin our children with our own shortsightedness. But also be ready to look into the mirror where I saw enough of the girls' ugliness in my own reflection to prompt change.
Highly recommend.
March 3, 2020
Fantastic allegorical fairy tale.
June 7, 2020
MacDonald's fairy tales are excellent, but it is possible, I have now found, to get your fill of them. This is good collection, worthy of pondering and of re-reading, but I think I am ready to move into his nonfiction now, and leave the fantasy for a little while.
May 16, 2022
Decent enough story, but the audiobook I listened to may have spoiled it with some annoying voicing. Did have some poignant moments that made you think. Overall, it was just ok.
January 27, 2023
Love this fairy tale and the lesson of Wisdom and self-control.
I feel like I have been changed myself a little from reading this and it will have a great influence on how I understand my children.
I feel like I have been changed myself a little from reading this and it will have a great influence on how I understand my children.
May 7, 2024
My father read this one to me as a child and it's still as timeless as ever. That cottage in the woods is one of the most important settings in fantastic literature beyond maybe even Middle Earth.
July 17, 2018
I absolutely LOVED this collection of stories, and George Macdonald’s writing style. I enjoyed reading this immensely. I love that the narrator writes in an omniscient perspective though still referring to himself as I (kind of like Dickens if you’ve ever read any of his books)
The Wise Woman:
This was a really pleasant story to read with a great moral behind it. It was both funny and light, and extremely serious at the same time, which I really enjoyed. The characters are very relatable, and I found myself thinking deeply about myself because of some prompting comments and scenes in this story.
Little Daylight:
This was probably my favorite of the stories, it is kind of like Sleeping Beauty, though Daylight sleeps all day and is awake all night, though her condition depends on the state of the moon. This was a very beautiful touching love story, however short. It’s just a great pleasure read.
Cross Purposes:
This was a rather ironic story, and I really enjoyed it. It was funny and cute, and had a very happy ending.
The Castle:
This was good as well, however probably my least favorite of the 4. It was probably the most serious and thought provoking of this collection, which I did enjoy, just not as much as the others. It is a very good story, and I found myself searching for the deeper meaning of this parable.
Overall it was an incredible book, probably one of my favorites recently.
The Wise Woman:
This was a really pleasant story to read with a great moral behind it. It was both funny and light, and extremely serious at the same time, which I really enjoyed. The characters are very relatable, and I found myself thinking deeply about myself because of some prompting comments and scenes in this story.
Little Daylight:
This was probably my favorite of the stories, it is kind of like Sleeping Beauty, though Daylight sleeps all day and is awake all night, though her condition depends on the state of the moon. This was a very beautiful touching love story, however short. It’s just a great pleasure read.
Cross Purposes:
This was a rather ironic story, and I really enjoyed it. It was funny and cute, and had a very happy ending.
The Castle:
This was good as well, however probably my least favorite of the 4. It was probably the most serious and thought provoking of this collection, which I did enjoy, just not as much as the others. It is a very good story, and I found myself searching for the deeper meaning of this parable.
Overall it was an incredible book, probably one of my favorites recently.
November 5, 2018
Could George MacDonald see the future???
Sure seems like it. I think Mr. MacDonald saw the selfie-society coming and wrote us a warning: you just aren't as important as you think you are.
May I illustrate what I learned from this children's book by sharing my reaction to a recent, popular movie? In the movie one of the characters finds himself trapped in a life that he just didn't want. Instead of growing up and working to build what could have been a very satisfying and full (if supposedly dull) life, he instead decides to commit suicide. Sadly, I felt I could sympathize with his decision. But I also immediately thought of this book and realized what an act of outsized megalomania it was to end his life. Even a smidgen of humility would have enabled him to have a life many would have envied. But he thought he was way more important than he really was, and just couldn't bring himself to "settle."
So that illustrates how this book helped change my perspective. And maybe that's why Mr. MacDonald wrote it as a children's book. Adults can read it without getting offended.
So did George MacDonald see the future? I don't know. Probably human nature just hasn't changed that much in 100+ years. But read it and learn something about yourself.
Sure seems like it. I think Mr. MacDonald saw the selfie-society coming and wrote us a warning: you just aren't as important as you think you are.
May I illustrate what I learned from this children's book by sharing my reaction to a recent, popular movie? In the movie one of the characters finds himself trapped in a life that he just didn't want. Instead of growing up and working to build what could have been a very satisfying and full (if supposedly dull) life, he instead decides to commit suicide. Sadly, I felt I could sympathize with his decision. But I also immediately thought of this book and realized what an act of outsized megalomania it was to end his life. Even a smidgen of humility would have enabled him to have a life many would have envied. But he thought he was way more important than he really was, and just couldn't bring himself to "settle."
So that illustrates how this book helped change my perspective. And maybe that's why Mr. MacDonald wrote it as a children's book. Adults can read it without getting offended.
So did George MacDonald see the future? I don't know. Probably human nature just hasn't changed that much in 100+ years. But read it and learn something about yourself.
January 8, 2020
This is a very interesting set of short stories by MacDonald. On the whole, I like the way he writes (though I find the level of description a bit hard-going occasionally), and I love the imaginary worlds he creates. I can see why C.S. Lewis saw him as the father of the fantasy genre.
The stories all begin very well, and then, I find, their narrative loses shape and direction about half-way through, or becomes rather strange. Also, it's clear that the stories are partly allegorical, but it's often hard to understand exactly what the allegories means. The allegories are clearly based in Christian theology, but sometimes, as with the end of the last story, their meanings seem unorthodox. The last story seems to imply a sort of gnosticism and possibly a disbelief in the divinity of Jesus Christ; I would be interested to know whether MacDonald belonged to a denomination which held these beliefs, or indeed just privately held them himself, or whether I've misunderstood the meaning of the end of the story.
4 stars because they are beautifully-written fantasy stories which are inspiring to any would-be fantasy writer, but not 5 stars because of the way the stories often flounder and meander in their second halves.
The stories all begin very well, and then, I find, their narrative loses shape and direction about half-way through, or becomes rather strange. Also, it's clear that the stories are partly allegorical, but it's often hard to understand exactly what the allegories means. The allegories are clearly based in Christian theology, but sometimes, as with the end of the last story, their meanings seem unorthodox. The last story seems to imply a sort of gnosticism and possibly a disbelief in the divinity of Jesus Christ; I would be interested to know whether MacDonald belonged to a denomination which held these beliefs, or indeed just privately held them himself, or whether I've misunderstood the meaning of the end of the story.
4 stars because they are beautifully-written fantasy stories which are inspiring to any would-be fantasy writer, but not 5 stars because of the way the stories often flounder and meander in their second halves.
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