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Alec Forbes of Howglen (Translated): Scots-English Edition
The second of MacDonald’s major Scottish realistic novels, narrates the story of Annie Anderson and Alec Forbes. Set in Huntly in northern Scotland (fictionalized as “Glamerton”) this novel contains a number of autobiographical glimpses into MacDonald’s own childhood in the small Scottish town where he was raised. Some critics consider this work to be MacDonald’s best and most literarily cohesive work of fiction.
684 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1890
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637 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald
1,681 books2,488 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 60 reviews
October 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this one - a great read, full of engaging characters and a really lovely central relationship. The dialogue is written in quite heavy Scottish dialect, so do beware!
March 20, 2010
Another thrilling journey through the mind of my favorite author. It is well known that MacDonald's discursive style of writing opens the door wide for his theological/philosophical insights, and in fact, his writing has been criticized for being merely a gambit to hold his audience's attention long enough to baptize them into his ideas and beliefs. This would be reprehensible in my mind IF I didn't want to be entirely infected by his indomitable spirit, his love and eye for beauty, and his clear vantage of truth. The man's a poet of the truest kind, and I'm thankful that even his his "nickel-novels" are a diluted form of the concentrated veins of wisdom that run every which way within him.
In this story, I love MacDonald's depiction of young and insightful innocence contrasted with old and cynical worldly-wisdom. When Mr. Cupples and Anne finally meet in the story, the author describes it as a clash of two species of wisdom: Anne had more knowldedge in esse (knowing the mysteries of life first-hand, in a more intuitive, yet very real way), while Mr. Cupples had more in posse (knowing about the mysteries of life in a more second-hand, informational sense that holds only a possibility of future realization). And so these personas were developed to epitomize in the book those characters that were more or less associated with the rural area, and those that were a part of the big city.
Alec Forbes becomes the chip gambled between the city and the country folk, and ultimately he attempts to strike a balance between his ignorant but good friends from his hometown, and his wise but weak friends in the new town. Alec also grows to understand the importance of boundaries between love and truth...one should not lose sight of the structure and discipline that truth provides for love, nor can one become so possessed in the pursuit of truth and knowledge that relationships and happiness in reality become exchanged for an ideological representation of that reality.
Subjects also touched upon in typical Mac-fashion were beauty, suffering, death, happiness, love and, of course, a slew of theological concepts pertinent to his readers then and now.
In this story, I love MacDonald's depiction of young and insightful innocence contrasted with old and cynical worldly-wisdom. When Mr. Cupples and Anne finally meet in the story, the author describes it as a clash of two species of wisdom: Anne had more knowldedge in esse (knowing the mysteries of life first-hand, in a more intuitive, yet very real way), while Mr. Cupples had more in posse (knowing about the mysteries of life in a more second-hand, informational sense that holds only a possibility of future realization). And so these personas were developed to epitomize in the book those characters that were more or less associated with the rural area, and those that were a part of the big city.
Alec Forbes becomes the chip gambled between the city and the country folk, and ultimately he attempts to strike a balance between his ignorant but good friends from his hometown, and his wise but weak friends in the new town. Alec also grows to understand the importance of boundaries between love and truth...one should not lose sight of the structure and discipline that truth provides for love, nor can one become so possessed in the pursuit of truth and knowledge that relationships and happiness in reality become exchanged for an ideological representation of that reality.
Subjects also touched upon in typical Mac-fashion were beauty, suffering, death, happiness, love and, of course, a slew of theological concepts pertinent to his readers then and now.
January 4, 2022
4.5 stars
This was the most emotionally painful book I have read yet of MacDonald. He has thoroughly scraped my heart raw.
I will only write some thoughts about the writing itself and some notes in the spoiler/ content concerns for those who dare to take the plunge.
Writing: Very detailed and in depth for most of it, but clearly rushed the ending.
My peeve with this story is that when the true couple find out they love each other, it just a small paragraph at the end. I'm more fond of the main characters falling in love and realizing each other early on and hearing about it. Just my preference. But that's not the real point of the tale which is about true love, redemption, going astray etc..
Heavy throughout the book is Scottish dialect that may be difficult for some.
This is centered on finding God and has a lot of religious themes, bible references, etc.
Spoilers/content concerns/trigger issues:
I will most not likely read again due to above mentioned, but that does not take away from the beautiful writing and world building. Mac Donald Does have some wonderful romance books that are more my preference.
This was the most emotionally painful book I have read yet of MacDonald. He has thoroughly scraped my heart raw.
I will only write some thoughts about the writing itself and some notes in the spoiler/ content concerns for those who dare to take the plunge.
Writing: Very detailed and in depth for most of it, but clearly rushed the ending.
My peeve with this story is that when the true couple find out they love each other, it just a small paragraph at the end. I'm more fond of the main characters falling in love and realizing each other early on and hearing about it. Just my preference. But that's not the real point of the tale which is about true love, redemption, going astray etc..
Heavy throughout the book is Scottish dialect that may be difficult for some.
This is centered on finding God and has a lot of religious themes, bible references, etc.
Spoilers/content concerns/trigger issues:
I will most not likely read again due to above mentioned, but that does not take away from the beautiful writing and world building. Mac Donald Does have some wonderful romance books that are more my preference.
June 29, 2017
What an interesting book! I loved the depictions of the small village of Glamerton and its surrounding countryside. The characters were realistic and endearing. And it was beautiful to picture each season in the Scottish countryside.
I also loved how the the church was a central part of this little community, and how the characters' spiritual journeys were important to the author. The conversations about God and religion were sometimes humorous, sometimes insightful, and sometimes beautiful.
MacDonald's style itself was quite interesting. He describes comic and tragic scenes with the same dry tone, trusting the reader to interpret the deeper emotions in the scene. I rather enjoyed this as it was so different from the current trend of drawing out every drop of emotion and drama. His narrative style is much more matter-of-fact.
He hops from character to character as he likes, often switching several times in a single chapter. And while he usually declares what they are thinking and feeling, sometimes he pulls back and only hints at it...even admitting a few times that he as an author he did not know the character's intentions.
I have to admit that I liked the first half of the book, when the characters are still children, better. But MacDonald tells the story well and gives it a good ending.
I also loved how the the church was a central part of this little community, and how the characters' spiritual journeys were important to the author. The conversations about God and religion were sometimes humorous, sometimes insightful, and sometimes beautiful.
MacDonald's style itself was quite interesting. He describes comic and tragic scenes with the same dry tone, trusting the reader to interpret the deeper emotions in the scene. I rather enjoyed this as it was so different from the current trend of drawing out every drop of emotion and drama. His narrative style is much more matter-of-fact.
He hops from character to character as he likes, often switching several times in a single chapter. And while he usually declares what they are thinking and feeling, sometimes he pulls back and only hints at it...even admitting a few times that he as an author he did not know the character's intentions.
I have to admit that I liked the first half of the book, when the characters are still children, better. But MacDonald tells the story well and gives it a good ending.
June 1, 2018
This is my first George MacDonald read, although I have heard a lot about him as he was an inspiration for C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The Maiden’s Bequest (originally titled Alec Forbes of Howglen) is a story set in 19th century Scotland. There are motley characters, all of them dimensional. MacDonald does a good job describing the setting and the reader almost feels like they are part of the serene countryside and humble village. The plot progresses well and the characters grow with the story. It ends well, although some tragedy and sacrifice happens to get to that point. Many positive themes are presented, which makes this book a refreshing read.
August 9, 2009
I hate these cover designs (darn it, Bethany House). Feel like I'm reading pulp fiction all over town. But MacDonald is still worth the read.
April 7, 2020
Content warnings: child abuse, general unchecked evil, and a vehement do not recommend.
From the first few chapters, deliberate, physical child abuse dominates the narrative. The schoolmaster and neighborhood sadist, Murdoch "Murder" Malison (nicknamed by the children in the book), beats a malnourished orphan to the point of paralysis. Though it's likely he would have (and may already have) beaten other children with such severity, it especially rankles that Malison took into consideration the orphan's lack of a parent and/or guardian who would protect, or revenge, the child (Malison was appointed guardian for the child and his brother). Later, Malison is lauded for his tenderness to the child, though it is an alleviation for his guilt and not done out of selfless concern for the child. Most disturbing, however, is the gleeful detail with which MacDonald relates Malison's malice: "The master stood before them, armed with a long, thick strap of horsehide [tawse]. The whip had been prepared by steeping in brine, cut into fingers at one end and then hardened in the fire." (37) I choose to not quote portions that describe Malison's child abuse, but such instances are rampant. MacDonald deigns to criticize Malison's theology, but excuses the unchecked cruelty of this execrable man. The citizens of the town remain complicit in this vast abuse of their children. MacDonald's ambivalence toward this unbridled barbarity cannot be excused by the "limitations" of his day.*
The "hero" of the story, Alec Forbes, persecutes a dog and fails in choking her to death after stoning her. That's not hijinks, that's psychosis. MacDonald gives no excuse, only saying English people and schools treat children worse, and the Scottish are so much better! I'm no expert, but that's racist. Alec is a faulty, human hero, but his animal cruelty made me distrust him for the rest of the book . Quite often, MacDonald relies on Scottish people being "close-lipped" to churn the narrative, but this does not account for the gossip problem in the town, and is thus as ludicrous as it is unsatisfactory.
All of MacDonald's canned spiritualizing cannot save this narrative. Spirituality can be strong within a narrative, as it is in The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Gilead, Phoebe: A Story, and other novels, but it's just weak here. The characters are unproblematically changed for the better, or problematically changed, and relational pains are usually due to a misunderstanding. Thus, the spirituality is more "Christianese" than genuine, and it distanced me (a Bible-reading, church-going, hymn-singing evangelical) from the characters.
The spirituality also stands out as hypocritical. While Christians are called to stand up for orphans, MacDonald forces us to watch an orphan beaten to paralysis by his guardian/teacher in front of other children, who do not protect the child. What did God have to say about that? Oh yeah, "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword." (Exodus 22:22-24) MacDonald would probably blame the paralyzed child for, like, not crying out or something, as if his very tears were not screaming to God for justice.
Honestly, after this experience, I'm ready to give up on MacDonald altogether. Yet, I'm willing to give his children's books a try, provided they bear little to no resemblance to the child-centric portions of this callous narrative. C. S. Lewis loved MacDonald, and so do many other readers whom I trust. Yet, this book was entirely lost on me. Mercifully, the chapters were short, which is why I managed to finish this at all.
*In any period of rampant evil, such as slavery and systemic racism in the United States during the 19th century, there are many who speak out against such wrongs. These people usually rose to infamy, which only served to promote their views. Thus, views such as abolition and anti-prejudice were not unknown to slaveholding states, which is why slaveholders cannot be excused by their geography and chronology. I imagine, in George MacDonald's day, that there were folks who stood up against child abuse (at least against beating an orphan to the point of paralysis), and he cannot be excused for letting such evil reign unchecked in this novel, when he finds a reason to comment on a young woman's beauty but not a grown man's cruelty.
From the first few chapters, deliberate, physical child abuse dominates the narrative. The schoolmaster and neighborhood sadist, Murdoch "Murder" Malison (nicknamed by the children in the book), beats a malnourished orphan to the point of paralysis. Though it's likely he would have (and may already have) beaten other children with such severity, it especially rankles that Malison took into consideration the orphan's lack of a parent and/or guardian who would protect, or revenge, the child (Malison was appointed guardian for the child and his brother). Later, Malison is lauded for his tenderness to the child, though it is an alleviation for his guilt and not done out of selfless concern for the child. Most disturbing, however, is the gleeful detail with which MacDonald relates Malison's malice: "The master stood before them, armed with a long, thick strap of horsehide [tawse]. The whip had been prepared by steeping in brine, cut into fingers at one end and then hardened in the fire." (37) I choose to not quote portions that describe Malison's child abuse, but such instances are rampant. MacDonald deigns to criticize Malison's theology, but excuses the unchecked cruelty of this execrable man. The citizens of the town remain complicit in this vast abuse of their children. MacDonald's ambivalence toward this unbridled barbarity cannot be excused by the "limitations" of his day.*
The "hero" of the story, Alec Forbes, persecutes a dog and fails in choking her to death after stoning her. That's not hijinks, that's psychosis. MacDonald gives no excuse, only saying English people and schools treat children worse, and the Scottish are so much better! I'm no expert, but that's racist. Alec is a faulty, human hero, but his animal cruelty made me distrust him for the rest of the book . Quite often, MacDonald relies on Scottish people being "close-lipped" to churn the narrative, but this does not account for the gossip problem in the town, and is thus as ludicrous as it is unsatisfactory.
All of MacDonald's canned spiritualizing cannot save this narrative. Spirituality can be strong within a narrative, as it is in The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Gilead, Phoebe: A Story, and other novels, but it's just weak here. The characters are unproblematically changed for the better, or problematically changed, and relational pains are usually due to a misunderstanding. Thus, the spirituality is more "Christianese" than genuine, and it distanced me (a Bible-reading, church-going, hymn-singing evangelical) from the characters.
The spirituality also stands out as hypocritical. While Christians are called to stand up for orphans, MacDonald forces us to watch an orphan beaten to paralysis by his guardian/teacher in front of other children, who do not protect the child. What did God have to say about that? Oh yeah, "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword." (Exodus 22:22-24) MacDonald would probably blame the paralyzed child for, like, not crying out or something, as if his very tears were not screaming to God for justice.
Honestly, after this experience, I'm ready to give up on MacDonald altogether. Yet, I'm willing to give his children's books a try, provided they bear little to no resemblance to the child-centric portions of this callous narrative. C. S. Lewis loved MacDonald, and so do many other readers whom I trust. Yet, this book was entirely lost on me. Mercifully, the chapters were short, which is why I managed to finish this at all.
*In any period of rampant evil, such as slavery and systemic racism in the United States during the 19th century, there are many who speak out against such wrongs. These people usually rose to infamy, which only served to promote their views. Thus, views such as abolition and anti-prejudice were not unknown to slaveholding states, which is why slaveholders cannot be excused by their geography and chronology. I imagine, in George MacDonald's day, that there were folks who stood up against child abuse (at least against beating an orphan to the point of paralysis), and he cannot be excused for letting such evil reign unchecked in this novel, when he finds a reason to comment on a young woman's beauty but not a grown man's cruelty.
October 31, 2018
Almost five stars.
This is real storytelling. Most modern authors don’t develop their characters or their plot with the intensity—yet the subtlety—of the nineteenth century masters: among whom George MacDonald should stand in the front rank. This version, modernized (and some may feel bowdlerized) for young readers, is if anything better than the longer tales, if only because much of MacDonald’s preaching has been omitted. Oh, there’s still enough that no reader could miss his unique Christian point of view. (I happen to like MacDonald’s spiritual reflections, but it will put many a reader—young or old—to sleep.)
A major plot thread (Alec’s adventures at university) is largely omitted, though the aftermath was skillfully woven into the thread of Annie's tribulations and ultimate triumph. For young readers the tale of his temptation and ruin at the big city may be inappropriate. The full tale can be read in The Maiden's Bequest.
Which raises the interesting issue of the titling of this story. MacDonald wrote it in 1865 as Alec Forbes of Howglen, of which at least one modern version has been published. When Michael R. Phillips, the modern editor, included it in A Scottish CollectionThe Maiden's Bequest, the Minister's Restoration, the Laird's Inheritance: Three Novels in One Volume, he re-titled it as The Maiden’s Bequest. Now this young reader version is called Alec Forbes and His Friend Annie. And well Phillips should have emphasized Annie in the title, for this version slashes Alec’s role. In fact, most of the story is told from a close universal perspective focused on Annie, not Alec. (Perhaps giving Alec top billing was a ploy to entice young male readers.)
Regardless, highly recommended to young reader’s of all ages (ten and up). My second favorite MacDonald tale, after Wee Sir Gibbee of the Highlands, also available for young readers. Or as "The Baronet’s Song" in The Poet and the Pauper.
This is real storytelling. Most modern authors don’t develop their characters or their plot with the intensity—yet the subtlety—of the nineteenth century masters: among whom George MacDonald should stand in the front rank. This version, modernized (and some may feel bowdlerized) for young readers, is if anything better than the longer tales, if only because much of MacDonald’s preaching has been omitted. Oh, there’s still enough that no reader could miss his unique Christian point of view. (I happen to like MacDonald’s spiritual reflections, but it will put many a reader—young or old—to sleep.)
A major plot thread (Alec’s adventures at university) is largely omitted, though the aftermath was skillfully woven into the thread of Annie's tribulations and ultimate triumph. For young readers the tale of his temptation and ruin at the big city may be inappropriate. The full tale can be read in The Maiden's Bequest.
Which raises the interesting issue of the titling of this story. MacDonald wrote it in 1865 as Alec Forbes of Howglen, of which at least one modern version has been published. When Michael R. Phillips, the modern editor, included it in A Scottish CollectionThe Maiden's Bequest, the Minister's Restoration, the Laird's Inheritance: Three Novels in One Volume, he re-titled it as The Maiden’s Bequest. Now this young reader version is called Alec Forbes and His Friend Annie. And well Phillips should have emphasized Annie in the title, for this version slashes Alec’s role. In fact, most of the story is told from a close universal perspective focused on Annie, not Alec. (Perhaps giving Alec top billing was a ploy to entice young male readers.)
Regardless, highly recommended to young reader’s of all ages (ten and up). My second favorite MacDonald tale, after Wee Sir Gibbee of the Highlands, also available for young readers. Or as "The Baronet’s Song" in The Poet and the Pauper.
September 28, 2013
Occasionally, I am compelled to set aside all other books I am reading and pick up a George MacDonald novel. After all these years, few reading pleasures match the joy of discovering God anew in the characters of this mystic and master theologian. I recently started reading a George MacDonald biography written by Michael Phillips and was drawn to the prospect of obtaining a greater appreciation for MacDonald's life by reading one of his several novels in which he portrayed aspects of his childhood. Although this particular novel probably has more of the Scots dialect than any other unedited George MacDonald novel I have read, there were more than enough diamonds in the story to compensate.
Alec Forbes of Howglen offers the usual harsh representation of Calvinistic doctrine and judgment, epitomized in the cruel and abusive schoolmaster Murdoch Malison and his ready and overenthusiastic use of the taws (a hardened leather horsewhip) to exercise discipline over his classroom. Malison was a representation of McDonald's first schoolteacher, the Rev. Colin Stuart. In this novel, Malison permanently cripples one of his most vulnerable students. It was suggested in McDonald's biography that it was commonly believed by his school fellows that George MacDonald's little brother James died at the age of eight, in large measure due to this teacher’s cruel treatment of him.
Yet George MacDonald’s characters in this book are not all represented in such black-and-white extremes. Consider how George accounts for the cruelty of the schoolmaster, who by all accounts may have been responsible for the death of his own brother. MacDonald did not blame the man, he did not blame God, but he was more than ready to blame flawed doctrine! And in so doing, did he not represent the very heart of Jesus? Listen to MacDonald offer such grace:
“Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural enemies of the master, but therefore of all law, theology had come in and taught him that they were in their own nature bad — with a badness for which the only set-off he knew or could introduce was blows.” (the full quote is contained elsewhere in this Goodreads review).
In fact, the redemption offered to this unhappy schoolmaster and his child victim in the end, proved to be the most touching moment for me in this novel. How like George MacDonald to offer grace to his worst enemy! One of the most legalistic church members in the community has a strong devotion to God notwithstanding, albeit a victim of harsh Calvinistic doctrine, tortured constantly by his fear that on the last day he may only discover that he is not among the elect. One of the primary redemptive characters in this story is an alcoholic, who reveals more of the mind and heart of God than do a number of the outstanding church members.
My gratitude to George MacDonald continues to grow for the important contribution he has made in the formation of my own image of God – a God of boundless grace and unending compassion.
Alec Forbes of Howglen offers the usual harsh representation of Calvinistic doctrine and judgment, epitomized in the cruel and abusive schoolmaster Murdoch Malison and his ready and overenthusiastic use of the taws (a hardened leather horsewhip) to exercise discipline over his classroom. Malison was a representation of McDonald's first schoolteacher, the Rev. Colin Stuart. In this novel, Malison permanently cripples one of his most vulnerable students. It was suggested in McDonald's biography that it was commonly believed by his school fellows that George MacDonald's little brother James died at the age of eight, in large measure due to this teacher’s cruel treatment of him.
Yet George MacDonald’s characters in this book are not all represented in such black-and-white extremes. Consider how George accounts for the cruelty of the schoolmaster, who by all accounts may have been responsible for the death of his own brother. MacDonald did not blame the man, he did not blame God, but he was more than ready to blame flawed doctrine! And in so doing, did he not represent the very heart of Jesus? Listen to MacDonald offer such grace:
“Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural enemies of the master, but therefore of all law, theology had come in and taught him that they were in their own nature bad — with a badness for which the only set-off he knew or could introduce was blows.” (the full quote is contained elsewhere in this Goodreads review).
In fact, the redemption offered to this unhappy schoolmaster and his child victim in the end, proved to be the most touching moment for me in this novel. How like George MacDonald to offer grace to his worst enemy! One of the most legalistic church members in the community has a strong devotion to God notwithstanding, albeit a victim of harsh Calvinistic doctrine, tortured constantly by his fear that on the last day he may only discover that he is not among the elect. One of the primary redemptive characters in this story is an alcoholic, who reveals more of the mind and heart of God than do a number of the outstanding church members.
My gratitude to George MacDonald continues to grow for the important contribution he has made in the formation of my own image of God – a God of boundless grace and unending compassion.
October 1, 2008
Found an old paperback copy of my mother's years ago and got hooked on this author. C.S. Lewis stated that this author had a big impact on him.
June 5, 2011
Can George MacDonald be the author of my life story, please? He writes such good stories, that make my heart happy.
May 25, 2015
A wonderful, but very sad book. The ending is not sad, but the middle part is :D very touching book. must read!
February 20, 2019
A pleasant story that often left me far more interested in the supporting cast than the protagonist. Annie Anderson is the center of this novel, yet doesn't show much spunk or personality until the final chapters. She reminded me a great deal of Jane Austen's Fanny Price--yet even Fanny had more "screen time," as it were, than Annie did. The supporting characters, by contrast, were very vivid, complex, and enjoyable--from the flawed hero Alec Forbes to the doubt-ridden Thomas Crann to the alcoholic, kindhearted Mr. Cupples. Even the duplicitous Robert Bruce (and yes, he is ridiculously proud of his distant relation to the medieval King of Scotland) was quite an entertaining character!
But I must say this: George MacDonald's scorn for the Church as an institution is painfully obvious in this novel. I understand he was writing against hyper-Calvinism, hypocrisy, wild finger-pointing, and frenzied cherry-picking of isolated prophecies and admonitions. I even sympathize with MacDonald's pointed contrasts between Annie's childlike faith, Bruce's hypocrisy, and Crann worrying over his assurance of salvation. Nevertheless, there's a real danger in rejecting the Church, its community, and orthodox theology altogether. Without the rock-solid foundation of God's *entire* Word, without salvation by Christ alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, and without the accountability and support of a loving, Bible-believing church, we can easily find ourselves on shifting sand.
But I must say this: George MacDonald's scorn for the Church as an institution is painfully obvious in this novel. I understand he was writing against hyper-Calvinism, hypocrisy, wild finger-pointing, and frenzied cherry-picking of isolated prophecies and admonitions. I even sympathize with MacDonald's pointed contrasts between Annie's childlike faith, Bruce's hypocrisy, and Crann worrying over his assurance of salvation. Nevertheless, there's a real danger in rejecting the Church, its community, and orthodox theology altogether. Without the rock-solid foundation of God's *entire* Word, without salvation by Christ alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, and without the accountability and support of a loving, Bible-believing church, we can easily find ourselves on shifting sand.
July 14, 2010
I really enjoyed reading this book and it brought tears to my eyes several times. As I mentioned in one of my status updates about it, I was touched more by the novel's soul than it's literary merit. The pace was off, and I found often that the parts I was most interested in story-wise had the least attention paid to them (for example, one beloved character dies and no more than sentence is spent upon her death), and I must admit I was rather dissatisfied with the ending (mostly because I didn't feel like the romantic element of the plot wrapped up well, and all the "bad guys" get off with just a line about what happened to them). I guess Alec Forbes is a good example of why George MacDonald is not remembered for his novels. The novel serves predominately as a platform for exploring spirituality. While not totally abstract or unrealistic, most of the characters lacked depth (though a few were brilliant enough at moments to make it worth reading), and the plot was rather sloppy. It's a book I would recommend, but at the same time, I think it takes a rare soul to appreciate what MacDonald has to offer in his novels without getting bogged down in the ragged edges of his authorial ability. (That being said, his fantasies are masterful).
July 6, 2014
The original novel is well worth any reader's time; I cannot speak to the edited version, though I read the first pages of that in our church's library, and the taste made me want to finish the feast.
I read Alec Forbes of Howglen at Project Gutenberg, because I could not bear to have George MacDonald's "sermonizing" edited from this story. (I found his theological perspective, but very little sermonizing. As always, his brief asides were soul-edifying, as well as relevant to the events or character to which they pertained.) Nor was the Scots dialect at all difficult to understand (impossible as it might be to read aloud for anyone other than a born Scot). The ebook at Gutenberg has a glossary at the end, at any rate.
I may add more to this review as the story percolates through my mind.
I read Alec Forbes of Howglen at Project Gutenberg, because I could not bear to have George MacDonald's "sermonizing" edited from this story. (I found his theological perspective, but very little sermonizing. As always, his brief asides were soul-edifying, as well as relevant to the events or character to which they pertained.) Nor was the Scots dialect at all difficult to understand (impossible as it might be to read aloud for anyone other than a born Scot). The ebook at Gutenberg has a glossary at the end, at any rate.
I may add more to this review as the story percolates through my mind.
August 30, 2017
This is a genre I've never gotten into before. An adult (19th century) Victorian fiction novel set in Scotland, by an historically significant author, who I had heard of, but never previously gotten into. Definitely a period piece. I actually had more fun with the scene settings and the Scots dialect than I did with the plot line. It was obviously a morality play, but that didn't surprise or irritate me at all. As with many modern novels, all the good guys are really good at heart, and all the bad guys are consistently really bad. The good guys that get tempted and stumble are redeemed at the end. Well worth reading, as much for the insight into 19th century British mores and attitudes as for the story itself.
January 16, 2018
George MacDonald has an interesting view of the Christian life and how it is lived out. In this book, the central theme is love, God's love for us radiating out to others. The redemptive power of true love is seen throughout the novel. The didacticism of the author is a style that is not longer accepted by the majority of modern readers, but it is just part of reading MacDonald. Many special thoughts are sprinkled throughout that strike to the core of what it means to be a Christian.
May 16, 2017
The first thing I took to was teaching. Now that's a braw thing, when the laddies and lassies want to learn and have questions of their own to ask. But when they don't care, it's the very devil. (222)
December 3, 2011
In this book you step into rural Scotland of the 1800s. It was great.
February 6, 2012
I love this humble little novel! Even the transformations of minor characters made me cry.
January 14, 2016
This and all other G.Mac books are great stories of the gospel lived out in peoples' lives. My favorite author.
March 9, 2024
This has topped the charts of my favorite books for over a decade now. I feel discipled by Christ subtly yet profoundly through both the character’s journeys and George’s insights into the human and the Divine heart each and every time I reread it.
January 6, 2023
There should be more goodness in the world like this. McDonald gives glimpses of a God I want to know more of.
April 28, 2024
My first George MacDonald!
July 27, 2021
Don't let the cover fool you! This isn't a sappy romance. It's a great book filled with many "side stories" and memorable characters.
August 7, 2017
I give it a 3.5
How do I even give a review for this book?! At times, really boring and hard to understand, especially when the guy Tomas talks to someone about God. Liked the beginning part of it and the maiden and hero part of it. But the book is overall really sad, and definetly not your"fluffy" book. Also didn't like how the book was wrapped up. There was a really only a bit of romance in the whole book that was in the last two pages. And even then it was only saying that they loved each other and the next page where it says how they got married 2 years later. Not much of a romance story!! But other than that, an enjoyable read seeing how it says so much about how early Scottish people lived :)
How do I even give a review for this book?! At times, really boring and hard to understand, especially when the guy Tomas talks to someone about God. Liked the beginning part of it and the maiden and hero part of it. But the book is overall really sad, and definetly not your"fluffy" book. Also didn't like how the book was wrapped up. There was a really only a bit of romance in the whole book that was in the last two pages. And even then it was only saying that they loved each other and the next page where it says how they got married 2 years later. Not much of a romance story!! But other than that, an enjoyable read seeing how it says so much about how early Scottish people lived :)
November 10, 2007
Seemed jerky to me -- the characters' actions were sometimes random and out of alignment with their previous behaviors, and sometimes a chapter would relate a random incident that interrupted the flow of the story. The plot was also somewhat tired, borrowing from the most predictable of fairy tales. I liked some of the descriptions and some of the lessons that MacDonald wanted to get across, and I also found a soft spot in my heart for Annie, but I don't know that I'd recommend it as a good story.
January 22, 2024
This was my first George MacDonald that wasn't a children's fantasy. I enjoyed the authentic feel of what a small, religious village in the 1800s might have felt like. It's interesting how 150 years later religious communities still have the same conversations, the dance of self-righteousness, hypocrisy, and true Christian faith. I did NOT enjoy the harshness in the schoolroom or that Victorian way female characters die...the sea drove her to madness? I have trouble believing women really wasted away so easily in real life.
January 19, 2011
Oh boy. This books begins with the youth of two Scottish individuals and proceeds to follow their maturity. Narration by author George MacDonald is fabulous with a C.S. Lewis-like tone. Beware, almost all the dialogue is in "Scotch." This dialect is full of shortened words and like "gin" for "if you" and "dinna"for "do not know." It is difficult, but I love figuring it out!
May 21, 2012
This is a children's book, but I enjoyed it very much. It is well written and is timeless. Since it is written in the middle nineteenth century and is set in Scotland, there is much of cultural interest. But it is also fun simply as a story.
I first started this book several years ago and put it down. Now I'm glad I finished it.
I first started this book several years ago and put it down. Now I'm glad I finished it.
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