The princess and the goblin and the princess and curdie are two of my favorite books by george macdonald. Lewis s impressions of heaven, including the distinctive notions of shadowlands and sehnsucht, were shaped by george macdonald s fiction. Lewis, and partly inspired lewis to pen christianthemed childrens books of his own. I know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the spirit of christ himself. I first came to read gm when i was 8 years old but didnt discover his adult books till i was about 20. Lewis was born in 1898 and brought up in a very strict, religious household. In addition to his fairy tales, macdonald wrote several works on christian apologetics his writings have been cited as a major literary influence by many notable authors.
Oct 31, 2007 when he was president of the oxford socratic club during the 1940s and 50s, c. Lewis, possibly the worlds first macdonald fanboy and omg he drooled all over macdonald in that introduction, and this macdonald guy inspired not only lewis. Christian romanticism, the inklings, cs lewis, and the. Chesterton george macdonald god in the dock great divorce greeks heaven hell inklings j. George macdonald i had found for myself at the age of sixteen and never wavered in my allegiance, though i tried for a long time to ignore. Book clubs are a great opportunity to bring women together and have some fun. I understand what cs lewis meant when he said his imagination was baptised when he read phantastes. Lewis never hid his fascination with mystical fantasy. In the fantasy series the chronicles of narnia and his dark materials, by cs lewis and philip pullman respectively, the authors use symbols and themes from paradise lost. George macdonald, a bearded scotsman who lived as poet, author, and minister, served as the inspiration of several influential authorsmost notably c.
Lewis, george macdonald, and the great war editors note. Lewis described his initial encounter with macdonalds mythopoeic fairy tale phantastes as first baptizing his. Lewis, published in 1945, and based on a theological dream vision of his in which he reflects on the christian conceptions of heaven and hell the working title was who goes home. An 365day anthology of readings from one of the most influential writers of all time, george macdonald, compiled by cs lewis himself. For the visitors of the site who are not acquainted with g. The main characters of this christian, religion story are.
Lewis and george macdonald s messages are relevant today. He was a fellow of magdalen college, a prestigious school at oxford university. The main characters of this biography, non fiction story are clive staples lewis. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 185 pages and is available in paperback format. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. His education at oxford was interrupted by the first world war and he was wounded in action during the final german offensive in 1918. An 365day anthology of readings from one of the most influential writers of all time, george macdonald, compiled by cs lewis himself macdonald was a major christian writer of the late nineteenth, early twentieth centuries. George macdonald embraced all experiences, both joys and hardships, as vehicles of graceand inspired others to do the same.
Lewis, george macdonald, and the great war books and. Lewis said he was influenced by the scottish writer, and thinker, george macdonald who was already dead by the time lewis was a young adult. Jun 19, 2014 a grief observed anniversary a year with c. I was led to christ by the writings of george macdonald and c. Lewis also claims that before he became a christian, his imagination was baptized by george macdonald.
Macdonald s book here, published in 1857, seemed like a good one to pick up its an early fantasy novel with an introduction by c. Thus, the ghost claims that the golden apples are useless and inedibleeven though, as the watergiant has explained, it would be possible to eat the fruit by spending more time by the river. He was a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer lewis carroll. Lewis, dedicated to mary neylan, a former pupil who sought lewis s soulfriendship. Every time i read them, i see new applications to life on how i can live and serve god better. Writing a preface and selecting macdonald s most poignant passages, lewis introduces us to these extraordinary treasures. George macdonald was a scottish author and christian minister. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 191 pages and is available in paperback format. He seriously questioned his religious beliefs and finally left the church.
A critical essay, some sixty firstquality works of literary history, literary criticism, theology, philosophy, autobiography, biblical studies, sermons, formal and informal essays, a spiritual diary, and short stories, as well as poetry, of particular interest to readers of fantasy and science fiction are lewis. Lewis, dedicated to mary neylan, a former pupil who sought lewiss soulfriendship. George macdonald explains to lewis that all who want to continue to the mountain must endure the pain of the harsh landscape. Lewis carroll became a good friend and gave him the first manuscript of alice in. Time seemed to have paused on that dismal moment when. On the reading of old books on the incarnation god in the. Imagination played a key role in lewis s conversion, and he thought it might also help others in their journey.
Lewis, we are offered 365 selections from macdonald s inspiring and useful writings. The great divorce is a novel by the british author c. I seemed to be standing in a bus queue by the side of a long, mean street. On the reading of old books introduction to on the incarnation, st. George macdonald embraced all experiences, both joys and hardships, as vehicles of grace. Macdonald was a major christian writer of the late nineteenth, early twentieth centuries. Ranging from inexorable love to god at the door, these words will instruct and uplift, like they did.
This is a guest column by joseph loconte, associate professor of history at the kings college in new york city and the author of a hobbit, a wardrobe, and a great war. Lewis download a pdf file of this issue for free download 375 kb support this ministry. Although macdonald died before lewis had become aware of the man, he still looked upon him as a spiritual father and. The influence his writings were to have on lewis was profound. Lewis wrote the following about george macdonald, i know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the spirit of christ himself.
Lewis wrote the following about george macdonald, i know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the spirit of christ. Lewis states that he made no secret of the fact that he regarded macdonald as his master. Tolkien joy davidman kilns lent letters to malcolm marriage mere christianity miracles monthly. The title refers to william blakes poem the marriage of heaven and hell. This book has the best that cs lewis could find after extensively studying his works. He held academic positions in english literature at both oxford university magdalen college, 19251954 and cambridge university magdalene college, 19541963. The first edition of the novel was published in 1955, and was written by c. Lewis took from george macdonald is quite wellknown and very apparent to anyone having read both writers even to a small extent. I had been wandering for hours in similar mean streets, always in the rain and always in evening twilight. This tale by george macdonald is a must read for every parent and semigrown child. George macdonald 18241905 was a scottish author in real life, as well as in the great divorce who wrote a series of highly popular childrens books and fantasies, many of which had a strong christian flavor.
Clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963 was a british writer and lay theologian. Lewis wrote that he regarded macdonald as his master. May 19, 2018 in the book, lewis appears in the afterlife, and his guide, george macdonald, leads him through a series of events. There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should. On his journey toward the mountain, lewis asks macdonald a series of questions. The conversations between lewis and macdonald provide insights on the nature of the great divorce between heaven and hell. An 365day anthology of readings from one of the most influential writers of all time, george mac donald, compiled by cs lewis himself mac donald was a major christian writer of the late nineteenth, early twentieth centuries. Lewis eventually encounters his own solid personhost, george macdonald, the author whose imaginative works first opened his mind to the possibility of belief in god. They are, you will note, a mixed bag, representative of.
Analyses of macdonald s work pdf theology on prayer pdf a draft manuscript which contains prayers and thoughts on prayer from many of george macdonald s fictional characters. There is hope, macdonald informs lewis he will grow accustomed to it and become stronger the closer he is to the peak. George macdonald was born at huntly, in the western part of aberdeenshire on 10 december, 1824, the son of george macdonald, farmer, and helen mackay. One volume, phantastes, powerfully challenged his atheism.
Before doing that a short summary of who macdonald was is in order, along with considering how we know lewis looked up to him. He was raised as an anglican but became an atheist while a teenager. Lewis offers 365 selections from macdonald s work, ranging from inexorable love to the torment of death. It is the result of much work by nan murdoch or tasmania, richard rowan of pennsylvania, usa, and marilylle soveran of alberta, canada. Lewis rediscovered faith, friendship, and heroism in the cataclysm of 19141918. Seventeen years after his conversion to christianity to christianity, he wrote the following endorsement of lilith and other books by george macdonald in his 1948 book, george macdonald. Carroll was also a photographer and took pictures of many of macdonalds 11 children. Lewis featured weekly discussions on repellent doctrines. The story and imagery in george macdonald s christian fantasy phantastes was the beginning of his journey to christianity, leading him to see the world differently. Online the hope of the gospel by george macdonald ebook pdf download. Macdonald was a pastor in a scotch calvinist church who was removed from the pulpit for holding unorthodox doctrines, such as satans eventual salvation. Briefly a clergyman, then a professor of english literature at bedford and kings college in london, he was a popular lecturer and published poetry, stories, novels, and fairy tales.
He then went on to aberdeen university in the early 1840s obtaining awards in moral philosophy and sciences. George macdonald 18241905 was born in aberdeenshire, scotland. Although macdonald died before lewis had become aware of the man, he still looked upon him as a spiritual father and referred to the great scotsman as my master. Mar 04, 20 i love cs lewis but i love george macdonald much more. The book begins with lewis, in ghost form, near a bus station in grey town. The first edition of the novel was published in 1952, and was written by c. The most dejected, reluctant convert in all england you must picture me alone in that room at magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of him whom i. In each snap book club download youll find a short summary of the plot of the book, a recipe for a food that ties to a theme or character from the book, ideas for decorations or other additions, plus discussion questions and scriptures that relate to the story. I love cs lewis but i love george macdonald much more. Carroll was also a photographer and took pictures of many of macdonald s 11 children. Macdonald then became a writer and created stories and mythologies. A word about george macdonald george macdonald was a nineteenth century storyteller and preacher, born in scotland in 1824.
Everything macdonald the works of george macdonald. According to lewis, there is hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continuously close, to the spirit of christ himself. Lewis 18981963 was a british literary scholar and novelist. A brief analysis of the content of george macdonald. As george macdonald walks with the narrator, the narrator sees light flashing in the trees, as if reflected from a river hence his question at the end of chapter 11. Macdonald s legacy and works, it is a nice starting read. Lewis said everything he wrote was influenced by george macdonald. An electronic version pdf file is available as well and can be obtained via the. Lewis had heard of him, but had a direct impact on lewis faith and work. Wise path books home of the george macdonald sunrise. George macdonald 10 december 1824 18 september 1905 was a scottish. But then, the narrator sees that the light is coming from a big group of spirits. The character of george macdonald in the great divorce. Plot summary edit the narrator inexplicably finds himself in a grim and joyless city, the grey town, where it rains continuously, even indoors, which is either hell or purgatory depending on whether.
One should be aware that the author is very highly addictive. Obviously, he was a writer, because lewis read his works, but about what subjects did he write. George macdonald i had found for myself at the age of sixteen and never wavered in my allegiance, though i tried for a long time to ignore his christianity. Macdonald s books had a major influence on the childhood of c. There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient. One day, just before catching a train, lewis bought phantastes by george macdonald at the trainstations bookstall. He is best known for his works of fiction, especially the screwtape letters, the chronicles of narnia, and the space trilogy. Lewis described his initial encounter with macdonald s mythopoeic fairy tale phantastes as first baptizing his. They are, you will note, a mixed bag, representative of many churches, climates and ages. George macdonald, whom lewis utilizes as a character in the story, dante, prudentius and jeremy taylor are alluded to in the text of chapter 9. George macdonald 10 december 1824 18 september 1905 was a scottish author, poet and christian minister. As lewis continued to read, he especially enjoyed christian author george macdonald. An anthology, that he doubted whether he had ever written a book in which he did not quote george macdonald. Clive staples lewis he always preferred to be known as jack was born in belfast on the 29th november 1898.
By these, he meant traditional christian teachings that seemed puzzling or implausibleteachings on suffering, miracles, hierarchy, and the like. The little bookstore on the web selling george macdonald, michael phillips, cs lewis and other indispensable books by men and women who inspire us to know and love the father. Lewis abraham, faith of, 224, 225 acedia, 353 adam, the old, 194 adviceadviser, 308 agree quickly, 111, 114 ambition, 20, 79, 93, 158 analysis scientific, value of, 186. The fact macdonald is his guide should alarm protestants and catholics alike. He influenced nearly everyone who was a major twentieth century writer including lewis carroll, wh auden, jrr tolkien. Pdf this paper is a conversational reassessment of george macdonald, the victorian fantasist who so profoundly shaped such writers as c. George macdonald s sermons passed the victorian tests of earnestness and. Free download or read online mere christianity pdf epub book. His strong religious background influenced such books as the problem of pain and the screwtape letters. Lewis christmas collected letters controversy conversion death devil easter ebook faith fall fantasy g. Macdonald advised carroll to lengthen the story and encouraged him to publish it. Aug 12, 2017 lets consider the weakest proof that lewis held universalist beliefs, his connection to george macdonald 18241905. While he was quite young, his mother died of cancer but the stiff upper lip in favour at the time meant he wasnt allowed to grieve.
George macdonald project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. He was educated in country schools where gaelic myths and old testament stories abounded. Lewiss attempt to present the exten sive work of george macdonald, one of his great literary influ ences. In addition to his fairy tales, macdonald wrote several works on christian apologetics.
Several works at penn state universitys electronic classics pdf format. George macdonald christian history christianity today. Browse a complete collection of his books, sign up for a monthly enewsletter, find additional resources, and more. Lewis, we are offered 365 selections from macdonald s. It had me crying or laughing or simply awestruck in every chapter, and, after 565 pages, wishing it were far longerbut consoled by the knowledge that its the first of. A selection of christian teachings from the pen of macdonald, who is better known today as the author of the princess and. Lewis, so when i tell you this book is on par with their works, thats the greatest compliment i can give. He influenced nearly everyone who was a major twentieth century writer. Dec 31, 2018 macdonald advised carroll to lengthen the story and encouraged him to publish it. George macdonald serves as an act of appreciation, with lewis gathering 365 of the best and most profound lines from his mentor as well as providing a preface detailing the impact macdonald had on lewis own literary and spiritual career.