Customer Reviews

Castle Warlock (George Macdonald Original Works)

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Of all MacDonald novels, this is among my favorites and, perhaps, for that very reason, one of the most difficult for me to suitably and satisfactorily describe. It is unlikely that I call it a favorite because it contains the most profound of spiritual truths, nor is the plot in any manner unusual or extraordinary. No, such is not the case, for all MacDonald books are generously interspersed with the much needed, though too often neglected, Biblical insights and verities. The plot, while ever engrossing, entertaining, heartwarming, and, at times, spellbinding, was merely the vehicle by which MacDonald could communicate his unwavering love of God. It just so happens that this book was my introduction to George MacDonald, and, as a result, I have become inextricably attached to the various characters, particularly Cosmo's father, "The Laird," a man who lived only to serve and obey his Master by serving and loving His people.

Cosmo was indeed a fortunate and richly blessed young man. For, while his earthly existence was little more than the barest subsistence, his father, through every thought, word, and deed ever directed him to His heavenly Father, where life was found not in that which feeds the body, but in those precious things that sustain and invigorate the soul and set the spirit free. There is evinced a deep and abiding love between father and son; a love so great, so pure, so real that no external circumstance is able to weaken or diminish the bonds that not only join, but serve as conduits between, these two, dear hearts.

Travel back to the Scotland where the 'Castle' was but a symbol of what once had been a mighty and proud people. Visit the site of Cosmo Warlock's birth, the harsh, barren Scottish Highlands; a place of haunting beauty and unforgiving reality. Walk the heather-covered hills with young Cosmo as he discovers the true meaning of life-its greatest value and only duty.

You are invited to explore a world that no longer exists. As a result of social, economic, and political upheaval, the Scotland of young Cosmo exists only in the literature of individuals such as George MacDonald and the imaginations of those who share his illustrious works. Yet the very truths conveyed through the pages of this book are as germane, as vital, as real, and as essentially necessary in this, the present, as they were when MacDonald roamed the Highlands of Scotland.

George MacDonald has a gift for seeing beneath the surface, and through the medium of his fiction, reveals truths we all need to acknowlege within ourselves inorder to proceed on our earthly journey to nearness with God. In this particular story, the most touching feature is the character Cosmo, and his love for his father on earth which developes into love for his Father in Heaven. The excitement of the story makes it difficult to put it down, as we follow Cosmo on his journey to discover the meaning behind a seemingly nonsense rhyme told him by an old woman, which becomes the key to learning his family's history and opens the door to adventure in the old castle, which he dearly loves and is always a hairsbreadth away from losing due to the poverty into which he has fallen. I have read several of MacDonald's books, but this is the first one that is not a revised edited version and is directly from the original. The Scottish dialect is a little tricky to grasp at first, but once I got the feel for it, it was easy to understand and added something to the story. And as for all the preaching and comments removed in modern editions, I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. For me, it helped make the story valuable, inspirational, and thought provoking. Truly a book I would recommend for anyone looking for nourishment on their spiritual path, or for anyone who enjoys a story with mystery, drama, and excitement.

If you are a fan of George MacDonald's books, this is definitely the version to get. Johannesen reprints the original, rather than editing it and taking all of the colour out by removing dialect.
As for the story itself, it is a bit weaker than some of the author's books, but is a worthwhile read anyway. The main character is the son of a poor scottish laird who is slowly losing his battle against debts incurred by his ancestors. But despite all, the Laird and his son, and those they influence learn about true Father/Son relationships, and truth in general.
And of course there is romance too.

A truly outstanding and irrevocably illuminating ghost story in the fashion of Victorian literature. In it's essence, Castle Warlock is itself an exposition and symbol of the one ghost: the Holy Ghost or Spirit, the prototypical Ghost or Spirit. A truly mystical work, Castle Warlock suggests a surprising degree of concordance between MacDonald's comprehension of the moral nature and the general conception of the 'Spirit-'ual body in Sufi mysticism. Through his mysticism, MacDonald arrives at a harmonious understanding of what Schopenhauer termed the 'Moral Instinct' viz a viz MacDonald's exigency and understanding of the heart of the creator God. A staggering work of spiritual genius that is wholly unique in Christian literature and understanding.