The Shadows

by George MacDonald

The Shadows is a novel written by the renowned Scottish author, George MacDonald. The story revolves around the protagonist, Cosmo Liddell, who is a young man struggling to find his place in the world. Cosmo is haunted by the shadows of his past, which prevent him from moving forward in life. He is deeply in love with his childhood friend, Agnes, but is unable to express his feelings to her due to his insecurities. As the story progresses, Cosmo embarks on a journey of self-discovery, seeking answers to the questions that have been plaguing him for years. He meets a mysterious woman named Lilith, who helps him confront his inner demons and overcome his fears. Along the way, he also encounters a host of other characters, each with their own unique stories and perspectives on life.The Shadows is a powerful meditation on the human condition, exploring themes such as love, loss, redemption, and the struggle for self-acceptance. MacDonald's writing is rich and evocative, and his characters are deeply nuanced and complex. The novel is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers to this day.""'Permit me, however, ' rejoined one of the Shadows; and as he spoke, he approached the king, and lifting a dark fore-finger, drew it lightly, but carefully, across the ridge of his forehead, from temple to temple. The king felt the soft gliding touch go, like water, into every hollow, and over the top of every height of that mountain-chain of thought.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Classics, Christian

Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

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

[Sarah Emtage · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Old Ralph Rinkelmann made his living by comic sketches, and all but lost it again by tragic poems. So he was just the man to be chosen king of the fairies, for in Fairyland the sovereignty is elective..."

The premise was more promising than the anthology of short shadow anecdotes that turns out to be the substance of the story, but still a delight in many ways.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The atmosphere of this book is my ideal Christmas story

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short story that is loaded with spiritual symbolism.

A common man of the world becomes King of the Fairy world. He is ill in bed when the shadows appear to him. They whisk him off to another dimension, showing him how they work for the good of mankind,

Good but felt like it could have been a bit fleshed out.

No content concerns

[David Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacDonald really outdid himself in the art of description in this incredibly imaginative and beautiful story! It was mesmerizing to be caught up in his words!

[Kate Sample · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of this book is incorrect. This a great fairytale store.

[Chris Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun short story! This is everything I love about George MacDonald's fairy tales. It's an interesting story packed with allegorical symbolism, along with a good helping of straight-forward biblical teaching.

Probably my favorite line from the story:

"...amongst the Shadows a man must learn never to be surprised at anything; for if he does not, he will soon grow quite stupid, in consequence of the endless recurrence of surprises."

It reminds me that "these are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:17)

If we really saw the true meaning behind everything in this life, I think we would be so completely overwhelmed with amazement of Jesus!

After I finished listening to The Shadows, I immediately started listening to it again!

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly? I'm just confused.

My next MacDonald will not be an audiobook.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd, but diverting and winter cosy

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Chris Carey · Rating 1 out of 5]

of the 7 or so george macdonald books i've read. this is the only one that is not a 4 star or better

[Liesl Andrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how different this story was from many others, and yet how I could also see the influence of this story in several modern-day stories.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsical but odd overall. The ending felt rather abrupt.

[Cecilia Colombani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assolutamente incantevole. Uno dei più belli tra i racconti di Natale mai letti, tenero, tenebroso, immaginifico.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadows wonderfully reminded me that delight, playfulness, and imagination are strengths. Through their humor, laughter, and joy, they guide us back toward the light.

S/o George book club 🤟

[Caleb Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This made it more likely that he has seen a true vision; for instead of making common things looks commonplace, as a false vision would have done, it made common things disclose the wonderful that was in them.”

Beautiful intriguing story filled with allegorical truths about faith.

[Taya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story reread of one of my favourite authors. I read this story for the first time Fall 2023 and I knew that I wanted to read this again come wintertime. Another commenter said it best in that this story is the ultimate Christmas atmosphere/vibes.

Incredibly atmospheric and whimsical. I wish that this story had been expanded upon into a longer novel.


Note to self: I read this book via my physical copy

[John Martindale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creative idea for a book. MacDonald normal uses shadows for a metaphor of evil in his his ferry tales, but in this one, these are little loving shadows who bring good into the world. He truly had quite the imagination

[Rachel L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another friend read this aloud on a long slow drive home from the mountains. Enjoyable, but somewhat puzzling. :)

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, but a bit too gloomy for my liking.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

“shadows of the mind”

The importance of the shadows’ intrusions.

The beauty of being man—not merely shadow.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another intriguing short from George MacDonald. Worth the time if you have about an hour to spare.