Customer Reviews

Donal Grant (George Macdonald Original Works)

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I have just finished this book and I do think it is my favorite one by this author. Be prepared, because it is some 800 pages long, but you are never disappointed either with the story line or the author's spiritual asides which read almost like a devotional. The main thrust of the story is about a young tutor named Donal Grant who leaves home after finishing college and sets out on foot to make his way in the world to a nearby coastal town in Northeastern Scotland. He meets a shoemaker who becomes his spiritual mentor, and finds employment and lodging in the nearby castle. As the story progresses we meet a reclusive, drug addicted uncle, his beautiful but spiritually dull niece, and his spoiled and brash son who is up to all kinds of naughty flirting with the shoemaker's daughter.

The most appealing part of this novel is the element of the supernatural which Mr. MacDonald brings in. There are ghost noises, somnabulisms, secret rooms and passages, murder, scandal, and ghost stories and legends. Ghosts to George MacDonald represent part of the vast region of the Spirit which exists beside and beyond our own, and he never posits their accual existence. They are never a source of evil power or fear because all things exist by the power and will of God.

Get this book, it is well worth the very low price. There are parts (perhaps 15%) which are written in Scotch dialect, but it makes the book that much more interesting that you have to use your brain a little to recognize what is being said.

. . . seems to be my favorite. Has a lot of different sermonettes that appeal to me, and truth that has satisfied me when I was searching for truth hungrily. I remember the last chapter particularly. There are some beautiful pictures in this book--I guess you could call it "mystical". In the "scary" parts, I remember Donal's courage; and I admire Donal's boldness in various situations throughout the book. Donal wasn't afraid to respectfully disagree with others on doctrine. This story is vivid in my mind and I love it!

Of George MacDonald's Scottish novels, Donal Grant is my favorite. The title character reminds me much of Curdie in MacDonald's fantasy novel, The Princess and Curdie (Princess and Curdie (George Macdonald Original Works)), which I highly recommend as well. For those having read Sir Gibbie (Sir Gibbie (George Macdonald Original Works) (George Macdonald Original Works)), Donal Grant is somewhat of a sequel; it is Grant's story, not Gibbie's, and may be enjoyed without having first read Sir Gibbie. In addition, for those who enjoy a bit of Victorian gothic literature, Donal Grant may be a good read since the setting takes place within a castle containing several, rather dark, secrets. Elements of the traditional ghost story are offered as well.

Concerning the product itself, the Johannesen edition of Donal Grant would be the best copy to buy. Not only is it bound in a sturdy, green hard-back cover, but it's pages are acid-free and durable, not grainy. The font size, though a little small, is dark enough and easy to read. As well, like all of the editions printed through Johannesen, the book's title is printed in heavy gold letters on the front and spine. It is a truly beautiful book and well worth the money, not to mention that this edition is considered authoritative among literary critics. I hope that this review has been helpful for you - Happy Shopping!

It's the best one! Although it is hard to choose among so many great GMD books. I guess my favorite part (?) might be when Donal is thinking about his sorrow and he says to himself, "Am I to be more or less of a man than I was before?" Only he says it in Scottish dialect, of course! But there are so many good parts.