Malcolm

by George MacDonald, Michael R. Phillips (Editor)

Malcolm, a nineteenth-century Scottish fisherman, is captivated by a willful, adventurous girl whom he dares not to love, until he discovers a startling secret about her.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1875

About the author

George 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.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first MacDonald novels I read. I liked it better than his more famous (now) fantasies.

After my second reading: A pleasant read. Typical MacDonald--a well-told tale with mystery, romance, moralizing and a too-good-to-be-true hero. Published 140 years ago, these are as good as much of contemporary novels.

Quibble: While Michael Phillips claims to have "translated" the Scots' dialect into English and retained "some dialect" for "authentic flavor," he could have made old Duncan's speech easier to decipher.

[Aslaug Gørbitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten about George MacDonald. I have read quite a few of his books. I always liked how he wove his sermons into his romance novels. Quite a genius in my opinion, as I like to read doctrine and I love historical romance novels; he also weaves suspense into his novels. Win, win, win - for those of us who like it.

I am beginning to re-read this book, which I found in the original format (very hard to read and even harder to understand) available for Kindle at Amazon for free. I think I can follow it though as I have read it before and remember a little of it.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story. A love story. Ironically, recommended to me by a guy friend from the Naval Academy. I think it is surprising how engrossing it is.

[Mitch Teemley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading several of MacDonald's ideological fantasies, my wife and I enjoyed the relative realism of this sweet-spirited Victorian romance. "Malcom" has a more memorable storyline, characters and dialogue (although the Scotch dialect is formidable) than, say, "Lilith," which is more allegorically-driven. But what resonates strongest in all of this godfather of spiritual fiction's novels is the theme of grace. Like his Creator, MacDonald loves his characters, despite their flaws. To read MacDonald is to encounter the One who inspired him.

[Bill Eagleburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I finally finished this, and really enjoyed it. I understand the author was a preacher, and I really loved the way he generously expressed the truth of Scripture and the Gospel through and from his characters in this story.

[Thaine Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best of his novels with great senses of place, characters, and what it looks like to walk with Jesus.

[Melynda Harrison - TravelingMel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing I loved about this book is that it takes place inCullen, Scotland, a place we spent a month. I could picture all the places mentioned in the book and that was really fun. We even stayed in one of the fisherman’s cottages that Malcom and his grandpa lived in.

I found the story itself a little boring. The Scottish dialect in which some characters spoke was almost impossible for me to understand. I couldn’t figure out why the grandfather kept referring to himself in the feminine in the third person. That’s just part of the deal when you are reading a book written in the 1800s in 2021.

The book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger and you have to read the next book to find out what happens. Malcolm is book 16 in a many book series and the only one I’ve read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic sequel to George MacDonald's "The Fisherman's Lady." I was on tender-hooks the whole way through, hoping it would end the way my heart wanted it to and the end more than satisfied! This book takes place in Scotland and in London and the characters are priceless. MacDonald has a way of weaving beauty, art and books into his stories which makes them enjoyable. If you haven't read any of George MacDonald's books, these two are a great way to start.

[Tamsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please someone organise to have all his other novels republished so I may enjoy them?

[Jon Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy George MacDonald's writings. This was no exception.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really helped to have the edited version without as much dialect.

[Cws]

Ya Mac

[Poptart19 (the name’s ren) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I enjoyed the characters & setting in Scotland. It was a bit above my reading level when I read it, & I struggled with the vernacular. But an enjoyable story overall.