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Sir Gibbie #2
The Shepherd's Castle
Donal Grant accepts a position as tutor in a wealthy family where, in addition to imparting knowledge and Godly principles to the young son, Davie, he finds himself caught in a web of mystery and madness... and falling in love.
A companion volume to The Baronet's Song, and a classic love story in the gothic style.
A companion volume to The Baronet's Song, and a classic love story in the gothic style.
281 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1883
41 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald
1,792 books2,527 followersGeorge 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 12, 2019
THAT ENDING HAD ME IN TEARSSSSSSSS (maybe it was because it was four am and I hadn't slept but stillllll).
Positively riveting! I regret the dark circles, but I don't regret reading this book.
Positively riveting! I regret the dark circles, but I don't regret reading this book.
August 17, 2009
I started this book a week ago, reading a chapter or two every night before I went to bed. Well, last night I was reaching the middle of the book and found I could not bring myself to turn the light out and go to bed until the mystery of the lost room in the dreary castle was solved and I had reached the hopefully happy ending. I finished the book at approximately 4:00am this morning.
All I can say about this book is that it was everything a book should be: inspiring, full of mystery, a little scandal, a little romance, and in the end contributed toward me becoming a better person for reading it. I highly suggest The Shepherd's Castle, and of course, any other book written by George MacDonald.
All I can say about this book is that it was everything a book should be: inspiring, full of mystery, a little scandal, a little romance, and in the end contributed toward me becoming a better person for reading it. I highly suggest The Shepherd's Castle, and of course, any other book written by George MacDonald.
June 13, 2011
Donal Grant leaves the life of a simple country shepherd to move on from a deep sorrow and to make a new life for himself tutoring. He ends up in a position tutoring a son of an earl and begins life in an ancient, dark, foreboding castle. As he gets to know the family living in the castle, he finds more and more amiss and it all climaxes into a drug addict doing everything in his power to control the lives of those around him, even if it includes murder. As Donal faces challenges he never could have imagined, he continues to put his faith and trust and God, being willing to sacrifice all for truth and to save those he loves. Throughout Donal desires all to understand how great is God's love for them, even for the drug addict. In the end, God's love working through Donal triumphs in a bittersweet yet beautiful ending.
George MacDonald writes earnestly and beautifully, challenging his readers to think outside of the box about God and life. Although I do not agree with some of George MacDonald's theology, I do think that he does a magnificent job writing about God's love. As you read his writings, you cannot help but come away being filled with a fresher appreciation for God's mighty and sacrificial love and His care for us in all situations.
Some would say that George MacDonald's books are too rambling and get too preachy (and this book could be faulted for that), but I think that there is such depth to his writing that it's worth putting up with a bit of wordiness.
This novel has it all: romance, intrigue and mystery, a bit of horror, beautifully descriptive language, strong characters, and a lot of theology.
George MacDonald writes earnestly and beautifully, challenging his readers to think outside of the box about God and life. Although I do not agree with some of George MacDonald's theology, I do think that he does a magnificent job writing about God's love. As you read his writings, you cannot help but come away being filled with a fresher appreciation for God's mighty and sacrificial love and His care for us in all situations.
Some would say that George MacDonald's books are too rambling and get too preachy (and this book could be faulted for that), but I think that there is such depth to his writing that it's worth putting up with a bit of wordiness.
This novel has it all: romance, intrigue and mystery, a bit of horror, beautifully descriptive language, strong characters, and a lot of theology.
January 2, 2013
It was the reading of this book and my continued fascination with the theology of George MacDonald (which had such a profound effect on others such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and J.R.R. Tolkien) that finally convinced me to explore first hand his theological teaching by reading his "Unspoken Sermons" (this is next on my list of George MacDonald reading). But first a sample of some of his teaching through this work of fiction, rife with many tasty morsels for careful consideration.
There are several antagonists in this book. The first that Donal Grant encounters is the local minister. We have MacDonald's impression of this minister in the following quote: "He was a man of not merely dry or stale, but of deadly doctrines. He would have a man love Christ for protecting him from God, not for leading him to God in whom alone is bliss, out of whom all is darkness and misery. He had not a glimmer of the truth that eternal life is to know God. He imagined justice and love dwelling in eternal opposition in the bosom of eternal unity. He knew next to nothing about God, and misrepresented him hideously."
I have been taken recently by the concept of "learned ignorance" and was grateful to hear MacDonald speak on numerous occasions to this conviction and exposit his distrust for any who would claim absolute certitude in matters of Christian doctrine. The following quotes convey some of his thoughts on this matter:
"But a confession of ignorance is a ground of respect with a well-bred child, and even with many ordinary boys will raise a man's influence: they recognize his loyalty to the truth . . ."
"I will attend the call of no man to defend my opinions . . ."
". . . because the greater part of their teachers have set themselves to explain God rather than to obey and enforce his will. The gospel is given to convince, not our understandings, but our hearts; that done, and never till then, our understandings will be free. Nothing but Christ himself, your lord and friend and brother, not all the doctrines about him, even if every one of them were true, can save you."
". . . To know that you do not know, is to be a small prophet . . ."
MacDonald holds dear to the great reversal taught so clearly by Jesus. He often spoke out against all forms of human ambition, as illustrated by the following quotes:
"But ambition is a form of greed".
"Donal gave a laugh. Those who are content with what they are, have the less concern about what they seem. The ambitious like to be taken for more than they are, and may well be annoyed when they are taken for less."
"No community recognizes its great men till they are gone." "Where is the use then of being great?" said Miss Graeme. "To be great," answered Donal, "--to which the desire to be known of men is altogether destructive. To be great is to seem little in the eyes of men."
It is well known that MacDonald holds to universalism. What follows is a dialogue between Donal and the local minister's daughter, one of the central antagonists in this book. In this debate there is a strong parallel with the current debate on hell that was fueled by Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" (although I understand that Bell made clear that he was not representing universalism in his book). Although I am not yet clear on MacDonald's position on eternal punishment, it would appear that he views hell as a reality but one that offers a refining purification of evil rather than an eternal representation of God's non-ceasing wrath against the sinner.
"Doubtless; there are sheep that will keep running away. But he goes after them again."
"He will not do that for ever!"
"He will."
"I do not believe it."
"Then you do not believe that God is infinite!"
"I do."
"How can you? Is he not the Lord God merciful and gracious?"
"I am glad you know that."
"But if his mercy and his graciousness are not infinite, then he is not infinite!"
"There are other attributes in which he is infinite."
"But he is not infinite in all his attributes? He is partly infinite, and partly finite!--infinite in knowledge and power, but in love, in forgiveness, in all those things which are the most beautiful, the most divine, the most Christ-like, he is finite, measurable, bounded, small!"
"I care nothing for such finite reasoning. I take the word of inspiration, and go by that!" . . . Now it had so fallen that the ladies were talking about the doctrine called Adoption when first they saw Donal; whence this doctrine was the first to occur to the champion of orthodoxy as a weapon wherewith to foil the enemy (here the minister's daughter again takes up the debate). "The most precious doctrine, if one may say so, in the whole Bible, is that of Adoption. God by the mouth of his apostle Paul tells us that God adopts some for his children, and leaves the rest. If because of this you say he is not infinite in mercy, when the Bible says he is, you are guilty of blasphemy."
In a tone calm to solemnity, Donal answered-- "God's mercy is infinite; and the doctrine of Adoption is one of the falsest of false doctrines. In bitter lack of the spirit whereby we cry Abba, Father, the so-called Church invented it; and it remains, a hideous mask wherewith false and ignorant teachers scare God's children from their Father's arms."
This debate concludes in the absence of Donal, as he is defended by the Lady Actura against the following accusations of the minister's daughter: "He is a teacher of lies! He goes dead against all that good men say and believe! The thing is as clear as daylight: he is altogether wrong!"
(here the Lady Actura concludes with these potentially prophetic words for our current era) "What if God be sending fresh light into the minds of his people?"
"The old light is good enough for me!"
"But it may not be good enough for God! What if Mr. Grant should be his messenger to you and me!"
There are several antagonists in this book. The first that Donal Grant encounters is the local minister. We have MacDonald's impression of this minister in the following quote: "He was a man of not merely dry or stale, but of deadly doctrines. He would have a man love Christ for protecting him from God, not for leading him to God in whom alone is bliss, out of whom all is darkness and misery. He had not a glimmer of the truth that eternal life is to know God. He imagined justice and love dwelling in eternal opposition in the bosom of eternal unity. He knew next to nothing about God, and misrepresented him hideously."
I have been taken recently by the concept of "learned ignorance" and was grateful to hear MacDonald speak on numerous occasions to this conviction and exposit his distrust for any who would claim absolute certitude in matters of Christian doctrine. The following quotes convey some of his thoughts on this matter:
"But a confession of ignorance is a ground of respect with a well-bred child, and even with many ordinary boys will raise a man's influence: they recognize his loyalty to the truth . . ."
"I will attend the call of no man to defend my opinions . . ."
". . . because the greater part of their teachers have set themselves to explain God rather than to obey and enforce his will. The gospel is given to convince, not our understandings, but our hearts; that done, and never till then, our understandings will be free. Nothing but Christ himself, your lord and friend and brother, not all the doctrines about him, even if every one of them were true, can save you."
". . . To know that you do not know, is to be a small prophet . . ."
MacDonald holds dear to the great reversal taught so clearly by Jesus. He often spoke out against all forms of human ambition, as illustrated by the following quotes:
"But ambition is a form of greed".
"Donal gave a laugh. Those who are content with what they are, have the less concern about what they seem. The ambitious like to be taken for more than they are, and may well be annoyed when they are taken for less."
"No community recognizes its great men till they are gone." "Where is the use then of being great?" said Miss Graeme. "To be great," answered Donal, "--to which the desire to be known of men is altogether destructive. To be great is to seem little in the eyes of men."
It is well known that MacDonald holds to universalism. What follows is a dialogue between Donal and the local minister's daughter, one of the central antagonists in this book. In this debate there is a strong parallel with the current debate on hell that was fueled by Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" (although I understand that Bell made clear that he was not representing universalism in his book). Although I am not yet clear on MacDonald's position on eternal punishment, it would appear that he views hell as a reality but one that offers a refining purification of evil rather than an eternal representation of God's non-ceasing wrath against the sinner.
"Doubtless; there are sheep that will keep running away. But he goes after them again."
"He will not do that for ever!"
"He will."
"I do not believe it."
"Then you do not believe that God is infinite!"
"I do."
"How can you? Is he not the Lord God merciful and gracious?"
"I am glad you know that."
"But if his mercy and his graciousness are not infinite, then he is not infinite!"
"There are other attributes in which he is infinite."
"But he is not infinite in all his attributes? He is partly infinite, and partly finite!--infinite in knowledge and power, but in love, in forgiveness, in all those things which are the most beautiful, the most divine, the most Christ-like, he is finite, measurable, bounded, small!"
"I care nothing for such finite reasoning. I take the word of inspiration, and go by that!" . . . Now it had so fallen that the ladies were talking about the doctrine called Adoption when first they saw Donal; whence this doctrine was the first to occur to the champion of orthodoxy as a weapon wherewith to foil the enemy (here the minister's daughter again takes up the debate). "The most precious doctrine, if one may say so, in the whole Bible, is that of Adoption. God by the mouth of his apostle Paul tells us that God adopts some for his children, and leaves the rest. If because of this you say he is not infinite in mercy, when the Bible says he is, you are guilty of blasphemy."
In a tone calm to solemnity, Donal answered-- "God's mercy is infinite; and the doctrine of Adoption is one of the falsest of false doctrines. In bitter lack of the spirit whereby we cry Abba, Father, the so-called Church invented it; and it remains, a hideous mask wherewith false and ignorant teachers scare God's children from their Father's arms."
This debate concludes in the absence of Donal, as he is defended by the Lady Actura against the following accusations of the minister's daughter: "He is a teacher of lies! He goes dead against all that good men say and believe! The thing is as clear as daylight: he is altogether wrong!"
(here the Lady Actura concludes with these potentially prophetic words for our current era) "What if God be sending fresh light into the minds of his people?"
"The old light is good enough for me!"
"But it may not be good enough for God! What if Mr. Grant should be his messenger to you and me!"
January 7, 2021
“People find this great fault with me–that I turn my stories into sermons. They forget that I have a master to serve first before I can wait upon the public.” George MacDonald.
Donal Grant is a “story-sermon” par excellence, for although in one sense it throws subtlety to the wind (there is no question here, as in MacDonald’s fairy-tales, of “stealing past watchful dragons,”) “unsubtle” need not of course mean unskilful: nor does the author derogate from his mythopoeic standards because at times he makes use of blunt tools. Rather, the mythmaker or spell-weaver is taken up into the preacher, and the result is a kind of fairy-tale for grown-ups....
In Sir Gibbie (to which Donal Grant is the sequel) we find these words from GM's Celtic hero:
“You ministers sudna mak yersels sae like cloods. Ye sud be cled in white an’ gowd, an’ a’ colours o’ stanes, like the new Jerooslem ye tell sic tales aboot, an’ syne naebody wad mistak the news ye bring.”
“You ministers shouldn’t make yourselves so like clouds. You should be clad in white and gold, and all colours of stones, like the new Jerusalem you tell such tales about, and then nobody would mistake the news you bring.”
George MacDonald, and Donal Grant as his messenger, are in a very real sense the fulfilments of this hope–unless it be argued that Donal, habited in his unassuming tutor’s garb, does not outwardly fit the bill. To the eye of the imagination, however, he is clad in panoply as rich as ever MacDonald wore, and certainly the “news he brings”–news from a far country, for the lack of which Arctura has been slowly perishing–is beyond anyone’s misconstruction. He is not an ordained minister, but he is something far better: a mighty prophet, fighting, like all of MacDonald’s heroes, a spiritual battle, only here it rages more fiercely than ever, at times even reaching an epic pitch. I shall be much interested to know if, after reading of Donal’s confrontation with the drug-addicted Lord Morven in chapter XXX (“He went down the stair with a sense of exhaustion such as he had never before felt”) I will be the only one strangely reminded of Gandalf and the Balrog...
****************
The above (slightly edited) is taken from my Translator's Preface for the new edition. It doesn't give much away in terms of the plot, but gives you an idea of the TYPE of novel you can expect from MacDonald on this occasion...
A little more from the preface...
We descend the hill with Donal then, the strains of his latest poem perhaps still ringing in our ears; the remembrance of his former sufferings still fresh; and we see his willingness to “let patience have her perfect work” as he hands those sufferings over to the God he trusts in. Within a few chapters, we meet the jewel of the novel Andrew Comin, who is to Donal what Janet Grant was to Sir Gibbie–the wisdom of eld, MacDonald would remind us, is no more to be despised than the various qualities hidden in his youthful heroes–and soon the two become fast friends. This drawing together of “crabbed age and youth” is a constant theme in MacDonald’s works, the truest in each (and there is very little that is NOT true in either Donal or Andrew) recognising at once a kindred spirit in the other. Their conversations are as comfortable as an old pair of slippers, as jovial as a school holiday (witness the recurrence of the sole/soul pun first aired in The Princess and the Goblin) and as vibrant as the life-giving source whence the truth of their colloquies flows.
Donal next finds employment at Castle Graham. Here he meets Arctura, and tutors Davy, his employer’s younger son. Here too, the real drama of the novel unfolds, for the enigmatical, reclusive Lord Morven under whose auspices our hero pursues his calling is prey to a legion of drug-induced devils; his ostensible heir is a self-worshipper and incipient cad; and occasional visitor Miss Carmichael a leech, sucking the life from Arctura, while professing to be her greatest friend. All of them Donal must face and overcome, whilst shielding Davy and Arctura from the worst consequences of their combined machinations. Of the castle itself...I will draw but the faintest of sketches by comparing it to Jane Eyre’s Rochester Hall. The secret it contains, and the gothic horrors there enacted invite the comparison, as does the fact that the new tutor is long excluded from the mystery. It is kept from being the scene of absolute nightmare (and herein are we reminded again of the seat of the Rochester family) by Donal’s own integrity; by the innocence of his pupil and the friendliness of a fellow domestic; and by his growing affection for one of the residents, who at first mistrusts him and holds herself aloof. If I add that there is a story- within-the-story inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and that a young fisherman of Donal’s acquaintance is more than a little reminiscent of Dickens’ tragic Ham Peggotty, it is not that I think Donal Grant in any special sense unoriginal; but merely to show the richness of the tapestry with which MacDonald chose to work.
Donal Grant is a “story-sermon” par excellence, for although in one sense it throws subtlety to the wind (there is no question here, as in MacDonald’s fairy-tales, of “stealing past watchful dragons,”) “unsubtle” need not of course mean unskilful: nor does the author derogate from his mythopoeic standards because at times he makes use of blunt tools. Rather, the mythmaker or spell-weaver is taken up into the preacher, and the result is a kind of fairy-tale for grown-ups....
In Sir Gibbie (to which Donal Grant is the sequel) we find these words from GM's Celtic hero:
“You ministers sudna mak yersels sae like cloods. Ye sud be cled in white an’ gowd, an’ a’ colours o’ stanes, like the new Jerooslem ye tell sic tales aboot, an’ syne naebody wad mistak the news ye bring.”
“You ministers shouldn’t make yourselves so like clouds. You should be clad in white and gold, and all colours of stones, like the new Jerusalem you tell such tales about, and then nobody would mistake the news you bring.”
George MacDonald, and Donal Grant as his messenger, are in a very real sense the fulfilments of this hope–unless it be argued that Donal, habited in his unassuming tutor’s garb, does not outwardly fit the bill. To the eye of the imagination, however, he is clad in panoply as rich as ever MacDonald wore, and certainly the “news he brings”–news from a far country, for the lack of which Arctura has been slowly perishing–is beyond anyone’s misconstruction. He is not an ordained minister, but he is something far better: a mighty prophet, fighting, like all of MacDonald’s heroes, a spiritual battle, only here it rages more fiercely than ever, at times even reaching an epic pitch. I shall be much interested to know if, after reading of Donal’s confrontation with the drug-addicted Lord Morven in chapter XXX (“He went down the stair with a sense of exhaustion such as he had never before felt”) I will be the only one strangely reminded of Gandalf and the Balrog...
****************
The above (slightly edited) is taken from my Translator's Preface for the new edition. It doesn't give much away in terms of the plot, but gives you an idea of the TYPE of novel you can expect from MacDonald on this occasion...
A little more from the preface...
We descend the hill with Donal then, the strains of his latest poem perhaps still ringing in our ears; the remembrance of his former sufferings still fresh; and we see his willingness to “let patience have her perfect work” as he hands those sufferings over to the God he trusts in. Within a few chapters, we meet the jewel of the novel Andrew Comin, who is to Donal what Janet Grant was to Sir Gibbie–the wisdom of eld, MacDonald would remind us, is no more to be despised than the various qualities hidden in his youthful heroes–and soon the two become fast friends. This drawing together of “crabbed age and youth” is a constant theme in MacDonald’s works, the truest in each (and there is very little that is NOT true in either Donal or Andrew) recognising at once a kindred spirit in the other. Their conversations are as comfortable as an old pair of slippers, as jovial as a school holiday (witness the recurrence of the sole/soul pun first aired in The Princess and the Goblin) and as vibrant as the life-giving source whence the truth of their colloquies flows.
Donal next finds employment at Castle Graham. Here he meets Arctura, and tutors Davy, his employer’s younger son. Here too, the real drama of the novel unfolds, for the enigmatical, reclusive Lord Morven under whose auspices our hero pursues his calling is prey to a legion of drug-induced devils; his ostensible heir is a self-worshipper and incipient cad; and occasional visitor Miss Carmichael a leech, sucking the life from Arctura, while professing to be her greatest friend. All of them Donal must face and overcome, whilst shielding Davy and Arctura from the worst consequences of their combined machinations. Of the castle itself...I will draw but the faintest of sketches by comparing it to Jane Eyre’s Rochester Hall. The secret it contains, and the gothic horrors there enacted invite the comparison, as does the fact that the new tutor is long excluded from the mystery. It is kept from being the scene of absolute nightmare (and herein are we reminded again of the seat of the Rochester family) by Donal’s own integrity; by the innocence of his pupil and the friendliness of a fellow domestic; and by his growing affection for one of the residents, who at first mistrusts him and holds herself aloof. If I add that there is a story- within-the-story inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and that a young fisherman of Donal’s acquaintance is more than a little reminiscent of Dickens’ tragic Ham Peggotty, it is not that I think Donal Grant in any special sense unoriginal; but merely to show the richness of the tapestry with which MacDonald chose to work.
April 23, 2021
Not necessary to read "Sir Gibbie" first but doing so will enhance your understanding of Donal.
I enjoyed this one much more than "Sir Gibbie." I suppose it is because there was more emotional conflict in Donal's story.
In this book, we have lot's more fun going on. Ghost stories, hidden pasts, hidden rooms, class struggle, love and romance (mostly at the end), tragedy, journey's into self realization, and a good antagonist who is not evil for the sake of being evil, and eventually finds redemption.
Donal leaves his home after being rejected by a woman he thought he loved. He journey's to a new town, befriends an old cobbler and his wife, finds employment as a tutor in the Earl's castle and becomes a wonderful guide and teacher to almost all that encounters him.
There is Scottish brogue throughout but not too hard to understand. It is mostly written in proper English, but due to the time period, is very prosaic.
As usual the build up and development of story and characters is slow but necessary. Again, as is consistent with MacDonald's works, he expresses himself and teaches the reader Christianity through his stories. Beautiful and awe inspiring. I really feel the love Donal has for God and Jesus in his heart and aspire to that myself.
Added note: MacDonald writes romance just as beautifully as any female author IMO, with much tenderness and sweetness. Also, some reviewers found the end very sad, but I found it beautiful.
Content concerns:
I enjoyed this one much more than "Sir Gibbie." I suppose it is because there was more emotional conflict in Donal's story.
In this book, we have lot's more fun going on. Ghost stories, hidden pasts, hidden rooms, class struggle, love and romance (mostly at the end), tragedy, journey's into self realization, and a good antagonist who is not evil for the sake of being evil, and eventually finds redemption.
Donal leaves his home after being rejected by a woman he thought he loved. He journey's to a new town, befriends an old cobbler and his wife, finds employment as a tutor in the Earl's castle and becomes a wonderful guide and teacher to almost all that encounters him.
There is Scottish brogue throughout but not too hard to understand. It is mostly written in proper English, but due to the time period, is very prosaic.
As usual the build up and development of story and characters is slow but necessary. Again, as is consistent with MacDonald's works, he expresses himself and teaches the reader Christianity through his stories. Beautiful and awe inspiring. I really feel the love Donal has for God and Jesus in his heart and aspire to that myself.
Added note: MacDonald writes romance just as beautifully as any female author IMO, with much tenderness and sweetness. Also, some reviewers found the end very sad, but I found it beautiful.
Content concerns:
February 11, 2019
One of my favorite MacDonald, and probably in a top ten race for overall favorite. Donal Grant has it all—Scottish brogue, illicit romance, diabolical intrigue, haunted houses, and—most of all—the power of the Kingdom of God to confront it all. If you are a MacDonald fan, this is a must read. If you enjoy Christian fiction, give this a try. But expect the Christianese way of thinking about reality to be challenged.
In terms of plot, this is one of MacDonald’s stronger ones, as he keeps the action centered in one place and around just a few characters. Each one has sufficient space and consistency to develop. Conversations, particularly the ones surrounding religious topics, are less contrived than they can be in other MacDonald tales, making the rich content even richer.
Donal himself is an admirable character without dissolving into sentimentality. He is manly, gentlemanly, courageous, gentle, strong, intelligent, and spiritually sensitive, devoted to doing what God is asking him to do, because he is devoted to God Himself. It is no wonder that he finds his own romance along the way, nor that he must go to great lengths to rescue the woman he loves.
The house/castle is almost a character in its own right, full of mystery and drama. It teaches that the master of the house projects character and purpose upon the dwelling—a deep responsibility for possessing property!
Other MacDonald nuggets focus around the scope of God’s salvific work, the necessity of knowing and loving God in order to obey Him, rather than live a life of duty.
In terms of plot, this is one of MacDonald’s stronger ones, as he keeps the action centered in one place and around just a few characters. Each one has sufficient space and consistency to develop. Conversations, particularly the ones surrounding religious topics, are less contrived than they can be in other MacDonald tales, making the rich content even richer.
Donal himself is an admirable character without dissolving into sentimentality. He is manly, gentlemanly, courageous, gentle, strong, intelligent, and spiritually sensitive, devoted to doing what God is asking him to do, because he is devoted to God Himself. It is no wonder that he finds his own romance along the way, nor that he must go to great lengths to rescue the woman he loves.
The house/castle is almost a character in its own right, full of mystery and drama. It teaches that the master of the house projects character and purpose upon the dwelling—a deep responsibility for possessing property!
Other MacDonald nuggets focus around the scope of God’s salvific work, the necessity of knowing and loving God in order to obey Him, rather than live a life of duty.
April 16, 2014
MacDonald's genius is rooted in his understanding of the drama of everyday life. This book has it all--drug addiction, murderous schemes, haunted houses, ghost stories, romantic trysts. All of these play out against a backdrop of Donal's tutoring of a young boy in a castle, where the main subject is how to become a true man, a completed human being. Donal's godly wisdom comes into sharp conflict with many of the worldly ideas around him, including those coming from the church. Excellent plot, excellent pace, excellent theology. I could not put it down, especially during the last quarter of the book when everything was coming to a chilling and haunting close. Do yourself a favor and read this book by one of the true masters!
April 25, 2014
I think of this book as "The Book of 1,001 Sermons." If you can't extrapolate at least a thousand hour-long talks from this, you aren't reading with much attention.
It's hard to talk much about a book I love this much.
A prayer from it has become part of my daily life:
Which is, roughly,
It's a useful and comforting prayer to pray over the young and foolish, or merely young, or merely foolish, people you love.
It's hard to talk much about a book I love this much.
A prayer from it has become part of my daily life:
I can but pray the Father o' a' to haud his e'e upon her, an' his airms aboot her, an' keep aff the hardenin' o' the hert 'at despises coonsel!
Which is, roughly,
I can but pray the Father over all to hold his eye upon her and his arms about her, and keep off the hardening of the heart that despises counsel.
It's a useful and comforting prayer to pray over the young and foolish, or merely young, or merely foolish, people you love.
March 27, 2016
This has one of the scariest castle dungeon scenes I've ever read!
July 10, 2025
A slow-paced story in comparison to the modern “page-turners,” but that being said, I still read the second half in just the last two days. I became invested in the two main characters, there developing loyalty and friendship, and eventually their unbreakable bond of love. The building mystery throughout the book was pretty intriguing as well.
The events of the final chapters in regards to some of the characters were not what I had foreseen through the first half of the book. It broke my heart, but in a hopeful sort of way. The writing was not overdone in the emotional sense, but I still felt it poignantly.
The book is filled with richness of all kinds, like every other work of MacDonald’s that I have read. It gave me plenty of food for thought, inspired me, and encouraged me. I appreciate how MacDonald portrayed eternity as a continuation of life and love—how relationships do not end here, and how true love transcends death.
As Gandalf said in Return of the King, "Death is just another path."
I discovered something about good story making in reflecting on this book and the way it sticks with me. That is, the best tales make us aware of something that is true concerning us that we maybe didn't recognize before. They wake something inside of us that was like a dormant seed.
The events of the final chapters in regards to some of the characters were not what I had foreseen through the first half of the book. It broke my heart, but in a hopeful sort of way. The writing was not overdone in the emotional sense, but I still felt it poignantly.
The book is filled with richness of all kinds, like every other work of MacDonald’s that I have read. It gave me plenty of food for thought, inspired me, and encouraged me. I appreciate how MacDonald portrayed eternity as a continuation of life and love—how relationships do not end here, and how true love transcends death.
As Gandalf said in Return of the King, "Death is just another path."
I discovered something about good story making in reflecting on this book and the way it sticks with me. That is, the best tales make us aware of something that is true concerning us that we maybe didn't recognize before. They wake something inside of us that was like a dormant seed.
May 30, 2013
Donal Grant is a real treat. First off, I had to teach myself the old Scottish dialect by ploughing through it, and I learned it! That was a fun challenge, and so worth it. Only the conversations between country people are in the old Scottish, and it is just alike enough to english that you can learn it if you stick to it. The conversations Donal has with more educated, wealthier people are in regular english, which is the greater percentage of the book, I think.
The story is beautiful, adventurous, romantic (in the literary sense),deep, and valuable as an example of a life well lived and love well done. I found myself immersed in the world of Donal Grant as though I were walking up the same lanes and friends with his friends. George MacDonald is a captivating writer.
Donal leaves his country home seeking employment, and seeming to hurry to leave behind a painful memory. He takes up lodging with an old shoe cobbler and his wife, and the adventure begins. The characters, conversations, and action are so rich and interesting, I can hardly say enough good about this book. what a fantastic experience. I hope more people read and love these old things.
The story is beautiful, adventurous, romantic (in the literary sense),deep, and valuable as an example of a life well lived and love well done. I found myself immersed in the world of Donal Grant as though I were walking up the same lanes and friends with his friends. George MacDonald is a captivating writer.
Donal leaves his country home seeking employment, and seeming to hurry to leave behind a painful memory. He takes up lodging with an old shoe cobbler and his wife, and the adventure begins. The characters, conversations, and action are so rich and interesting, I can hardly say enough good about this book. what a fantastic experience. I hope more people read and love these old things.
July 26, 2017
Interesting gothic novel, complete with hidden passages, rooms and skeletons! Contains very good quotes and theological explanations, that can also be found, expanded, in the Unspoken Sermons. Some ideas are better explained in the sermons and give the impression of being "pushed" into the novel, but a few find themselves in the right context in this book, which make them specially effective.
Donal Grant, like Sir Gibbie or Diamond, is perfectly good and godly, but a most interesting character. So are Andrew the cobbler and his wife, though I had a hard time understanding his Scottish speech.
Donal Grant, like Sir Gibbie or Diamond, is perfectly good and godly, but a most interesting character. So are Andrew the cobbler and his wife, though I had a hard time understanding his Scottish speech.
July 28, 2022
A very sad and powerful book and the strength of a man giving by God in walking a very rare road of faith that many should walk on. This is not only a fiction book but is a book full of life lessons and the true way of walking with God .
February 5, 2018
Finished this book by George MacDonald and my heart is still racing, my mind still reeling with the suspense, love, and mystery.
I first got acquainted with GeorgeMacDonald through his fairy stories, which I dearly love. Then I learned that he was a Christian who greatly influenced the works of CS Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle, two of my favorite authors. Reading up on him, I also learned that MacDonald was a universalist (he believed that all men eventually find their way to God or God eventually brings all men to Himself). I am not a universalist myself, but reading this gothic novel, which is also surprisingly a treatise on MacDonald's theology, has expanded my heart on what it means to love and forgive. I left it convinced that if a person truly loves and follows Jesus, it will be evidenced by obedience to God (vs taking His grace for granted) and genuine love for others expressed through action. It also strengthened my resolve that the most evil and abject horrors we create and encounter are nothing compared to the God's love.
Even though I still prefer MacDonald's carefree humor in his fairy stories compared to the wordiness and suspense in this novel (I admittedly glossed over some parts because they were too long or I couldn't stand the suspense/horror any longer!), I could say that this relatively unknown novel is a gem. The mystery of the castle will surely draw you in and make you stay up late at night reading. It will also make you think and ask the hardest questions--is it really possible that so much evil in a man can still be forgiven by God? If God is good, then what does He do about evil? Can love truly never fail?
I first got acquainted with GeorgeMacDonald through his fairy stories, which I dearly love. Then I learned that he was a Christian who greatly influenced the works of CS Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle, two of my favorite authors. Reading up on him, I also learned that MacDonald was a universalist (he believed that all men eventually find their way to God or God eventually brings all men to Himself). I am not a universalist myself, but reading this gothic novel, which is also surprisingly a treatise on MacDonald's theology, has expanded my heart on what it means to love and forgive. I left it convinced that if a person truly loves and follows Jesus, it will be evidenced by obedience to God (vs taking His grace for granted) and genuine love for others expressed through action. It also strengthened my resolve that the most evil and abject horrors we create and encounter are nothing compared to the God's love.
Even though I still prefer MacDonald's carefree humor in his fairy stories compared to the wordiness and suspense in this novel (I admittedly glossed over some parts because they were too long or I couldn't stand the suspense/horror any longer!), I could say that this relatively unknown novel is a gem. The mystery of the castle will surely draw you in and make you stay up late at night reading. It will also make you think and ask the hardest questions--is it really possible that so much evil in a man can still be forgiven by God? If God is good, then what does He do about evil? Can love truly never fail?
November 10, 2012
This is the sequel to MacDonald's book, Sir Gibbie. It takes Gibbie's friend Donald Grant and follows him as he learns to find a place in the world. He becomes a tutor to the son of an Earl. The earl's niece takes notice of this special person as they solve the mystery of the castle's lost room.
But if you read this book as a mystery or love story, you will be disappointed. It is much more MacDonald's lessons to his readers about living a godly life when you are surrounded by evil. Making choices and following God with a sense of holiness.
The version I read has some modernizations to it, including toning town some of the Scottish.
For more of my thoughts, see my blog at http://garys-books.blogspot.com/2012/...
But if you read this book as a mystery or love story, you will be disappointed. It is much more MacDonald's lessons to his readers about living a godly life when you are surrounded by evil. Making choices and following God with a sense of holiness.
The version I read has some modernizations to it, including toning town some of the Scottish.
For more of my thoughts, see my blog at http://garys-books.blogspot.com/2012/...
September 16, 2010
This was the first book that made me cry, but I was a teenager when I read it, so there may have been other factors involved. But it was wonderful.
July 27, 2011
My favorite MacDonald novel and one of my top five all-time books.
July 26, 2012
Donal Grant is another of MacDonald"s good protagonists--good with a capital G--who wants nothing more than to do God's will. Perhaps that sounds boring. it's not.
Read
August 26, 2013Chesterton puts it well: the novels of MacDonald are uneven, but as fairy tales they're all wonderfully consistent.
July 16, 2019
I always want to be a better man after I have read a George MacDonald book.
February 14, 2026
This is an excellent MacDonald novel. It was a bit different than what I expected because it has some gothic elements, with dreams and some semi-scary elements. That kept it really interesting to me.
Some people may find MacDonald a bit preachy, but I was not bothered by that. What he has to say is so good and is worth remembering, especially how he sees God.
This is a long book so did take a while to read.
It follows Sir Gibbie, which I have read, but about 2 years ago, so not fresh in my mind. The book stands alone well too.
I read the newer edition translated by David Jack and I highly recommend his work. I plan to read more of his translations. He presents the Scottish side by side with the English when there is dialouge.
Some people may find MacDonald a bit preachy, but I was not bothered by that. What he has to say is so good and is worth remembering, especially how he sees God.
This is a long book so did take a while to read.
It follows Sir Gibbie, which I have read, but about 2 years ago, so not fresh in my mind. The book stands alone well too.
I read the newer edition translated by David Jack and I highly recommend his work. I plan to read more of his translations. He presents the Scottish side by side with the English when there is dialouge.
February 9, 2026
Good, but for kids.
October 14, 2011
This book is a little hard to read in the fact that parts of it uses the Scottish language for dialogue and that takes some getting used to. It really required me to read slower, mutter under my breath to see what the words sounded like and then it came to me. The more important parts are in English and perfectly readable.
This story is an amazing love story. The nature of this story and the fact that this author was an influence on CS Lewis is amazing when you consider CS Lewis's story as portrayed in Shadowlands and his relationship with Joy Gresham.
While this is a romantic story it is also a adventure story of the first order. Excitement and exploration follow the every turn as you uncover the mythology surrounding the mystery trying to be solved. The deeper philosophical and religious questions that are used as the subject of conflict are important to pay attention to as they heavily support the conclusion and set the stage for the final actions of the book.
I would definitely hold this as a classic that should be read all. I would say that this would be age appropriate for most high-schoolers but still very enjoyable for adults.
This story is an amazing love story. The nature of this story and the fact that this author was an influence on CS Lewis is amazing when you consider CS Lewis's story as portrayed in Shadowlands and his relationship with Joy Gresham.
While this is a romantic story it is also a adventure story of the first order. Excitement and exploration follow the every turn as you uncover the mythology surrounding the mystery trying to be solved. The deeper philosophical and religious questions that are used as the subject of conflict are important to pay attention to as they heavily support the conclusion and set the stage for the final actions of the book.
I would definitely hold this as a classic that should be read all. I would say that this would be age appropriate for most high-schoolers but still very enjoyable for adults.
March 31, 2010
A classic love story in the 'gothic' style, retold for contemporary readers.
This gentle and unexpected romance sparkling with insight against a tapestry of dark secrets and intrique, is the story of Sir Gibbie's best friend Donal; a poet in Shepherd's clothing.
Donal Grant takes a tutoring position at the Castle Graham. As he instills a love for learning and godly principles in young Davie, he soon becomes much more than a tutor... a friend, a listener and advisor to Lady Arctura (who is the true owner of the castle).
And he becomes involved in a mystery which soon turns into a hideous secret, protected by the stone walls.
Mystery, Suspense, Adventure and Love are beautifully interwoven throughout this classic.
I loved this book! In fact, it's probably my favorite MacDonald book so far (and I've read quite a few...)
I enjoyed every page; it was beautifully and brilliantly written. Full of gentle love and godly principles. Not difficult to read or comprehend.
I loved the 'aura' of mystery yet it was never 'scary'.
This gentle and unexpected romance sparkling with insight against a tapestry of dark secrets and intrique, is the story of Sir Gibbie's best friend Donal; a poet in Shepherd's clothing.
Donal Grant takes a tutoring position at the Castle Graham. As he instills a love for learning and godly principles in young Davie, he soon becomes much more than a tutor... a friend, a listener and advisor to Lady Arctura (who is the true owner of the castle).
And he becomes involved in a mystery which soon turns into a hideous secret, protected by the stone walls.
Mystery, Suspense, Adventure and Love are beautifully interwoven throughout this classic.
I loved this book! In fact, it's probably my favorite MacDonald book so far (and I've read quite a few...)
I enjoyed every page; it was beautifully and brilliantly written. Full of gentle love and godly principles. Not difficult to read or comprehend.
I loved the 'aura' of mystery yet it was never 'scary'.
June 7, 2022
A disappointing theological treatise disguised as a novel (please pick one, sir; your attempt to combine the two created an unpleasant slog!).
The story itself was enjoyable. The doctrines which Donal and the omnipotent narrator expounded were at times good, often questionable, and a handful of times outright false (and the exposition became more tedious the longer it went on). What MacDonald only hints at in other novels is more fully revealed here: universalism, disbelief in Hell (substituting a kind of purgatory), rejection of penal substitutionary atonement, rejection of the doctrine of adoption, and some kind of extremely suspect hanky-panky with the hypostatic union.
The story itself was enjoyable. The doctrines which Donal and the omnipotent narrator expounded were at times good, often questionable, and a handful of times outright false (and the exposition became more tedious the longer it went on). What MacDonald only hints at in other novels is more fully revealed here: universalism, disbelief in Hell (substituting a kind of purgatory), rejection of penal substitutionary atonement, rejection of the doctrine of adoption, and some kind of extremely suspect hanky-panky with the hypostatic union.
March 10, 2020
Without question, it’s purely one of the best stories I’ve ever read. Now I’m not going to give anything away - it’s too good to be spoiled. Suffice it to say that this is a wonderful, Godly tale that has Jane Eyre elements to it. I love how the characters are portrayed, as well as how the suspense is paced (The Shepherd’s Castle pretty much had me on the edge of my seat!)... and even how superbly is the gentle, deeply stirring love story composed. I was so in tears toward the end - but don’t expect me to tell what happened! Just read it for yourself - it’s worth it.
February 18, 2011
This book was such a disappointment. While there were a few gems of truth, there was quite a bit of heresy spouted from the mouth of a self-righteous and always right protagonist. The romance could have made it worth reading, but that was such a disappointment in itself that when I finished the book my mouth was agape and all I could say was, "I spent all my time reading this for THAT?!" Not worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2014
Interesting read & characters. Don't mind the theology, but Donal sure jumps in with his nit-picking with very little provocation.....
Merged review:
Very strange, Gothic romance with overtones of Christian doctrine, well-meaning & sweetly intentioned, but sometimes forced. Excellent descriptions & vocabulary, tho also somewhat dated (19th C). Good tension & a bit of a mystery to boot. I'm glad to have read now 2 novels by an author who greatly influenced C.S. Lewis.
Merged review:
Very strange, Gothic romance with overtones of Christian doctrine, well-meaning & sweetly intentioned, but sometimes forced. Excellent descriptions & vocabulary, tho also somewhat dated (19th C). Good tension & a bit of a mystery to boot. I'm glad to have read now 2 novels by an author who greatly influenced C.S. Lewis.
March 13, 2019
The most intriguing of all his books, Donal Grant is one of those books I could not put down. It helps a lot to have read Sir Gibbie first, but you don't have to. I loved Donal Grant as a character in Sir Gibbie, and he gets even better in this one. Some of the Scottish Dialect can be difficult to understand. George MacDonald can get descriptive, but unlike the majority of authors, it isn't just stuff you'll want to skip over. This is such a well written book. I love it.
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