Customer Reviews

The Diary of an Old soul

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George MacDonald's classic work continues to take the breath away of spiritual pilgrims who find him for the first time. These small sonnets are each gems that act as windows for persons to catch a glimpse of the heart of God, and the heart of a man clearly connected to the Spirit's yearning in his life. These are best read slowly and savored, but as with any true classic, each time they are read, they have a richer meaning. The readings are arranged by month, one per day.

I picked this little book up on the way to the airport and thought I could use a good dose of MacDonald each day while I was on my business trip. Call me an undisciplined Pict, but I couldn't stop reading just one entry per day. It became a glorious exercise to work through the book, underlining his different names for God. So beautiful. So timeless. So inspiring. I don't agree with every one of MacDonald's theological conclusions, but I do agree that his expressed love for God is as moving as just about any I've ever read.

Some things are best savored slowly: a fine bottle of wine, a hot fudge sundae, a passionate kiss, a pristine beach...and George MacDonald's book, "Diary of an Old Soul." I found my small hardback version, written in 1905, in an antique bookstore...its cover slightly dog-eared, its pages curled with time. Yet, despite the book's outward condition, its inward opulence, its vast reservoir of truth and its timeless expression of God's love and forgiveness make this book a classic which shall remain ever vibrant and timely. It is almost impossible to read only one day's message at a time....like Godiva chocolate, each rich daily message leaves you craving more. As a fellow traveler on this road less traveled, I feel a strong kinship with MacDonald's expressions of wanderlust, spiritual struggle and burning desire to know God on the deepest level possible. I recommend this book unreservedly to those who wish to be inspired and drawn closer to the throne. Buy the paperback and, when you find yourself totally enamored, treat yourself to the hardback version from your favorite antique bookstore or online.

Origionally, I was given this book in 1979; it is profound and awe inspiring in the faith provoking poetry that George Macdonald wrote - one 7 line poem/meditation for each day of the year.

I boughtt this new book as a gift. However this edition is horrible in that it appears to have been pasted together, daily poems may be numbered at the bottom of one page and begin on the next. Or the day's poem may be split between one page and the next. Several were mostly gibberish. Also there is no introduction, library of congress number or date of publication (or origional publication)to this edition.

It is a mess !

Seemingly endless thoughts of God drift through the mind of this brilliant man of faith. An awesome tool as a daily devotional, but good luck...once opened, it's easy to devour Macdonald's writings all at once. His Sonnet's spring to life and speak directly to the heart. Not in a wishy washy, overly heady, sort of way but in simply truths pointed to the core of Christian life.

I have found George MacDonald's Diary of an Old Soul provoking me to deeper thought during my devotional time. It has caused me to slow down and really think through what he is saying in relation to my life. I find that each reading touches areas I might not normally consider. This book is a little treasure for my heart.

I find this book of daily devotionals beautiful. The book is one which I shall treasure, and no matter the year, or how many times I have read each day the words will and always will still move me. MacDonald is my master.

MacDonald's book is a treasure chest, even though the modern reader may need to dig a little to understand some of the daily entries. What is often not known is that this it was written in the aftermath of the deaths of two of his children - a grown daughter engaged to be married, and a nearly-grown son. The heart cries are thus real, not merely the product of a wordsmith's imagination.

The style is old and because it is, there is a deep sense of connection and continuity to the human soul. Life for me is much different than for the writer and yet the struggles of our soul are the same. Comforting, challenging and somehow the connection to the past lessons the sorrow of today and enhances the victory.

If you want to be led out of your darkness and into the beauty and depth of God I would suggest this book.