Through the Year with George MacDonald: 366 Daily Readings

by Douglas Gresham (Foreword), Douglas Gresham (Foreword)

George MacDonald was a many-faceted nineteenth-century writer-an ordained minister without a church, a popular lecturer, college professor, and most famously, the author nearly 50 books. From sermons to poetry, scholarly essays to novels, and fantasy romances to fairy stories, his writing often combines the flavor of the fantastic with a scent of the spiritual-all the while evincing wisdom based in reality. Rolland Hein, eminent MacDonald scholar, biographer, and editor of this anthology, aptly quotes from MacDonald's novel The Marquis of Lossie, "Life and religion are one, or neither is anything...." The selections from Through the Year with George MacDonald are proof of the unity of MacDonald's vision. They are also proof of the decades Dr. Hein has spent immersed in the writings of this remarkable author, compiling a devotional book that readers will return to many times over for inspiration. Many who are aware of C.S. Lewis's indebtedness to George MacDonald and, as a consequence, have desired to know this Scottish author better, will find this anthology to be the perfect way into his writings. Rolland Hein is a wise and accomplished guide to MacDonald, presenting readers with selections that speak engagingly of deep spiritual truths such as kindness, trust, obedience, holiness-and chief among these always, the unending love of God the Father for each one of His children. Indeed, in this volume you will encounter, as MacDonald compellingly demonstrates, 'life essential.' Marjorie Lamp Mead, Associate Director The Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College C.S. Lewis said of George MacDonald, "I know hardly any other writer who seems... closer... to the Spirit of Christ Himself." In this devotional book, renowned scholar Rolland Hein presents gems from the rich array of MacDonald's writings-a rare treasure for all who wish to walk beside one who practiced the presence of God. Monika B. Hilder, Associate Professor of English, Trinity Western University, author of The Feminine Ethos in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia Rolland Hein is professor emeritus at Wheaton College and the author of several books about George MacDonald.

404 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2012

About the author

Douglas Howard Gresham (born November 10, 1945)[1] is an American British stage and voice-over actor, biographer, film producer, and executive record producer. He is one of the two stepsons of C. S. Lewis.

Gresham has written an autobiography, Lenten Lands, of his life to the age of 28 in 1973. A fictionalized young Douglas Gresham is a character in the 1993 film Shadowlands, in part derived from Lenten Lands. In the film, Gresham is played by the American actor Joseph Mazzello.

Gresham was the son of writers William Lindsay Gresham and Joy Davidman. After his parents' divorce in 1954, he relocated to England with his mother and elder brother. Joy later married author C.S. Lewis, whom adopted Joy's two sons.

Reviews

[Becka the Book Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Rolland Hein’s years of immersion in the works of George MacDonald are evident in the depth and breadth of this anthology, which includes excerpts from his sermons spoken and unspoken, poems, fairy tales, novels, essays and letters. Familiar passages are interspersed with many previously seen by only the most dedicated MacDonald scholars.

Each entry is headed by a brief note on its origin, the Biblical reference upon which it is based, or an explanation of the context of the passage; and the source is cited at the end of each excerpt. Dates of interest - marriages, births, deaths, travels – are also noted. In my opinion these identifying and enriching details add significant value to this excellent collection.

I appreciate the attention given to the aesthetics of the volume as well. The background design of the cover is understatedly elegant, and the pages of the daily readings are decorated with a pleasantly simple artistic footer. Furthermore, the excerpted passages are of a fairly uniform length, lending themselves to a flowing consistency.

All in all, I believe Through the Year with George MacDonald will prove to be a valuable resource for a broad range of readers. It could easily serve as an introduction to those just discovering MacDonald, a daily guide for those wishing to supplement their devotional reading, or a gateway into deeper understanding of MacDonald’s theology to those interested in more serious study of his ideas.

I received a free copy of this book from the editor, Winged Lion Press, in exchange for my unbiased review.