What do you think?
Rate this book
The Elect Lady
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
25 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald
1,680 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 2, 2015
This was not only a great read, but it was my first book by MacDonald. I will definitely read much more of his work. (I read/discovered that this book is considered not one of his best novels --which I beg to differ. The ending had a great deal of suspense.)
Three childhood friends (Alexa Fordyce, the daughter of the Laird; Andrew Ingram, a tenant; and Dawtie, the daughter of a cottage couple) come of age and are driven apart by class. MacDonald chronicles the spiritual journeys of the three by confronting them with the miserly avarice of the Laird (Alexa’s father) and the matrimonial advances of George Crawford (Alexa’s cousin and suitor). MacDonald is so good at showing how infinitely more important character is than class or money. We constantly encounter the contrast between hypocritical religiosity and genuine faith.
The works of George MacDonald (particularly his fairy tales and fantasy novels) have inspired admiration in such notables as W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L'Engle. C. S. Lewis wrote that he regarded MacDonald as his "master". Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, he began to read: "A few hours later," said Lewis, "I knew that I had crossed a great frontier." G. K. Chesterton cited The Princess and the Goblin as a book that had "made a difference to my whole existence."
Three childhood friends (Alexa Fordyce, the daughter of the Laird; Andrew Ingram, a tenant; and Dawtie, the daughter of a cottage couple) come of age and are driven apart by class. MacDonald chronicles the spiritual journeys of the three by confronting them with the miserly avarice of the Laird (Alexa’s father) and the matrimonial advances of George Crawford (Alexa’s cousin and suitor). MacDonald is so good at showing how infinitely more important character is than class or money. We constantly encounter the contrast between hypocritical religiosity and genuine faith.
The works of George MacDonald (particularly his fairy tales and fantasy novels) have inspired admiration in such notables as W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L'Engle. C. S. Lewis wrote that he regarded MacDonald as his "master". Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, he began to read: "A few hours later," said Lewis, "I knew that I had crossed a great frontier." G. K. Chesterton cited The Princess and the Goblin as a book that had "made a difference to my whole existence."
August 25, 2018
My favourite Christian writer.
In this extended homily on the choice between a love of God and a love of Mammon, a young farmer and maid are shown to be better Christians than the local laird, his proud daughter and her wealthy cousin
Andrew Ingram and Dawtie discovered the true meaning behind the teaching of Christ when they were children. Together they strive to live their lives by the example of God and not just through the observance of outward religious show, are labeled 'pietists' and the maid falsely accused of a crime.
Of the laird and his daughter, the latter learns from the example of the socially inferior couple, the former does not. Thomas Fordyce is a miser whose love of fine antiquities meets its apotheosis in a golden chalice. His behaviour becomes more pronounced in old age, a clear warning that 'what we call degeneracy is often but the unveiling of what was there all the time; and the evil we could become, we are.'
Alexa Fordyce has none of her father's weakness, 'She was what most would call a strong nature, nor knew what weaknesses belong to, and grow out of, such strength as hers.' Her weakness is pride. In pursuit of status she tries to love the wrong man, loses the man she would love, yet learns about a greater love.
If you don't like to be preached to this novel should be avoided. I'm not fond of it myself, but I make an exception for MacDonald. Where others hector, he persuades. He clearly cares for his characters, and he clearly cares for his readers.
He also wrote wonderful Scorch dialect when he chose to go full-bore with it, which was sparingly, such as in this exchange between Dawtie and her mother:
“It's true, mother, I kenna what I should do wantin' An'rew! Is na he aye shovin' the door o' the kingdom a wee wider to lat me see in the better? It's little ferly (marvel) I lo'e him! But as to wantin'him for my ain man, as ye hae my father!—mother, I wad be ashamet o' mysel' to think o' ony sic a thing!—clean affrontit wi' mysel' I wad be!”
“Weel, weel, bairn! Ye was aye a wise like lass, an' I maun lippen til ye! Only luik to yer hert.”
Yes, it would have taken me twice as long to finish the book if all the conversations would have been rendered so, but I wouldn't have complained!
In this extended homily on the choice between a love of God and a love of Mammon, a young farmer and maid are shown to be better Christians than the local laird, his proud daughter and her wealthy cousin
Andrew Ingram and Dawtie discovered the true meaning behind the teaching of Christ when they were children. Together they strive to live their lives by the example of God and not just through the observance of outward religious show, are labeled 'pietists' and the maid falsely accused of a crime.
Of the laird and his daughter, the latter learns from the example of the socially inferior couple, the former does not. Thomas Fordyce is a miser whose love of fine antiquities meets its apotheosis in a golden chalice. His behaviour becomes more pronounced in old age, a clear warning that 'what we call degeneracy is often but the unveiling of what was there all the time; and the evil we could become, we are.'
Alexa Fordyce has none of her father's weakness, 'She was what most would call a strong nature, nor knew what weaknesses belong to, and grow out of, such strength as hers.' Her weakness is pride. In pursuit of status she tries to love the wrong man, loses the man she would love, yet learns about a greater love.
If you don't like to be preached to this novel should be avoided. I'm not fond of it myself, but I make an exception for MacDonald. Where others hector, he persuades. He clearly cares for his characters, and he clearly cares for his readers.
He also wrote wonderful Scorch dialect when he chose to go full-bore with it, which was sparingly, such as in this exchange between Dawtie and her mother:
“It's true, mother, I kenna what I should do wantin' An'rew! Is na he aye shovin' the door o' the kingdom a wee wider to lat me see in the better? It's little ferly (marvel) I lo'e him! But as to wantin'him for my ain man, as ye hae my father!—mother, I wad be ashamet o' mysel' to think o' ony sic a thing!—clean affrontit wi' mysel' I wad be!”
“Weel, weel, bairn! Ye was aye a wise like lass, an' I maun lippen til ye! Only luik to yer hert.”
Yes, it would have taken me twice as long to finish the book if all the conversations would have been rendered so, but I wouldn't have complained!
October 24, 2009
A very good book. Some have criticized it for not having the depth of character development that his other books have.
I didn't find that to be a problem here. The book was like an extended, very interesting, thought provoking, and captivating sermon.
No one would fault Aesop for his short moral stories and lack of development of his characters.
This was a story that focused on character, not characters, and so the instruments MacDonald used were not as important as his message - the earthly struggle between love of God vs. love of mammon (money).
The battles are clearly drawn here and the consequences that each of the characters reap from their choices are very clear, as is MacDonald's explanation of the difference between church (religion) and faith in God. They are sometimes in opposition to one another, not always, but many times history has shown them to be enemies.
There is a wonderful explanation by the poet/farmer, Anthony, of how a poem will not be held back until it spills forth from the poet. He uses Handel, the musician, as an example of how music is similarly created, "...his notes, ordering them about in his mind and fixing in their places with his pen...all to open the door for the thing that was plaguing him with the confusion of its beauty...build his orchestra into a mental organ for his mind to let itself out by, through the many music holes, lest it should burst with its repressed harmonic delights."
All in all, it was a very good book, thoroughly enjoyable and leaving me with much to ponder.
I didn't find that to be a problem here. The book was like an extended, very interesting, thought provoking, and captivating sermon.
No one would fault Aesop for his short moral stories and lack of development of his characters.
This was a story that focused on character, not characters, and so the instruments MacDonald used were not as important as his message - the earthly struggle between love of God vs. love of mammon (money).
The battles are clearly drawn here and the consequences that each of the characters reap from their choices are very clear, as is MacDonald's explanation of the difference between church (religion) and faith in God. They are sometimes in opposition to one another, not always, but many times history has shown them to be enemies.
There is a wonderful explanation by the poet/farmer, Anthony, of how a poem will not be held back until it spills forth from the poet. He uses Handel, the musician, as an example of how music is similarly created, "...his notes, ordering them about in his mind and fixing in their places with his pen...all to open the door for the thing that was plaguing him with the confusion of its beauty...build his orchestra into a mental organ for his mind to let itself out by, through the many music holes, lest it should burst with its repressed harmonic delights."
All in all, it was a very good book, thoroughly enjoyable and leaving me with much to ponder.
September 23, 2019
Another of my favourites by George MacDonald. It was totally beautiful! Heartwarming, you will find yourself longing to know the Father more at the end of it. Love it!!
Read
May 23, 2025There were threads from Ecclesiastes that came to mind as I was reading this book. You can’t take your things with you when you die. GM dove into the heart of a collector and how things can become idols instead of gifts. I loved the servant girl, Dawtie, as she has such simple faith in Jesus. It was pure love and trust to listen to her speak and act. I also needed to hear the conversations about obedience and how obedience is the will of God. Sometimes that is a simple day to day obedience and sometimes it is as hard as what Dawtie faced in the last chapters. As is true with most of the GM books, I needed his words as I was reading them. He pointed me to Jesus in a way I was struggling through.
December 28, 2020
I have to confess that as I was reading this George MacDonald novel, I was troubled by the “too good to be true” character of Andrew. His “do no wrong” saintliness is so far out of reach. I was momentarily reminded of the squeaky clean, almost sanctimonious Danny Orlis that I used to read as a child.
I suspect that what disturbs me about men like Andrew is the powerful intimidation factor I feel when I recognize how far short I fall in my own character development. So many of my own shortcomings are revealed to me as I see the integrity and courage and faith and conviction and humility of a man like Andrew. It’s almost disheartening to see how far have yet to go in my own formation.
But then it dawns on me that MacDonald has every right to offer us saintly characters cast in the image of Jesus. There is no more need for me to be intimidated by men like Andrew than to be intimidated by the son of man himself. So as best as I am able, I will try instead to be inspired by characters cast by an author with such keen insight into the character of Christ and into the nature of a God of infinite love and mercy who is so far above and beyond the petty, harsh and punitive god preached from so many pulpits.
I know MacDonald is probably working through his own ministry experience and disillusionment with the Christian religion when he is so critical of the organized church and the flawed preaching that frequents so many pulpits. Yet his own dissatisfaction so closely parallels my own that I find considerable solace in sitting under the tutelage of a man whose image of God is so grand and whose wisdom so vast of what is required for a human to become formed in Christlikeness.
I suspect that what disturbs me about men like Andrew is the powerful intimidation factor I feel when I recognize how far short I fall in my own character development. So many of my own shortcomings are revealed to me as I see the integrity and courage and faith and conviction and humility of a man like Andrew. It’s almost disheartening to see how far have yet to go in my own formation.
But then it dawns on me that MacDonald has every right to offer us saintly characters cast in the image of Jesus. There is no more need for me to be intimidated by men like Andrew than to be intimidated by the son of man himself. So as best as I am able, I will try instead to be inspired by characters cast by an author with such keen insight into the character of Christ and into the nature of a God of infinite love and mercy who is so far above and beyond the petty, harsh and punitive god preached from so many pulpits.
I know MacDonald is probably working through his own ministry experience and disillusionment with the Christian religion when he is so critical of the organized church and the flawed preaching that frequents so many pulpits. Yet his own dissatisfaction so closely parallels my own that I find considerable solace in sitting under the tutelage of a man whose image of God is so grand and whose wisdom so vast of what is required for a human to become formed in Christlikeness.
February 1, 2017
This is probably the first time I've read a novel that's been edited years later to remove some of its content. Originally published as 'The Elect Lady' in 1888, it has been edited by Michael Phillips, presumably to remove some of its preachiness. It does tend to be a little preachy.
The two main characters, Andrew and Dawtie, have been friends since childhood. Andrew undergoes a conversion/revival of faith while still a child and begins to influence his friend Dawty. I found the near-perfection of these two characters a bit too good to be true. They needed to be allowed a flaw or two.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and the triumph of good over the evil of greed and avarice of the 'laird', Mr Fordyce.
The two main characters, Andrew and Dawtie, have been friends since childhood. Andrew undergoes a conversion/revival of faith while still a child and begins to influence his friend Dawty. I found the near-perfection of these two characters a bit too good to be true. They needed to be allowed a flaw or two.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and the triumph of good over the evil of greed and avarice of the 'laird', Mr Fordyce.
August 26, 2025
MacDonald is an underappreciated old hidden gem in a world of weird modern literature.
January 2, 2018
I started reading George MacDonald in 2017 and have found him so delightful! Actually I read The Princess and Curdie to my children in the 1980's and although I liked those books, I didn't love them but I do love MacDonald's romantic fiction. His books are full of high moral-values and deep spiritual truths that enlighten the mind.
January 29, 2021
Many truths are told
I love George MacDonald, and I wa taken with the Truth of God as presented in this work of fiction. I shall be copying some of the quotes into my journal so they may continue to inspire me. I will say reading the colorful language (meaning to infer the Scottish dialect) is a tad difficult but once you get the hang of it, it works.
I love George MacDonald, and I wa taken with the Truth of God as presented in this work of fiction. I shall be copying some of the quotes into my journal so they may continue to inspire me. I will say reading the colorful language (meaning to infer the Scottish dialect) is a tad difficult but once you get the hang of it, it works.
September 26, 2025
A bucolic Christian story that introduces three appealing children and then follows them through adulthood. Slow portions were offset by interesting commentary on the state of religion. Not everyone will be comfortable with the writing style which is not modern. I totally enjoyed the book.
February 13, 2018
During his time MacDonald was as popular as Dickens. While his Lilith and Phantastes are my preferred reading, this was a nice light walk in Victorian England and of love.
November 24, 2024
I love this story. The plot is riveting and it contains so many thoughtful quotes. Very good!
May 9, 2013
The Landlady’s Master
is a retelling of George MacDonald’s earlier book entitled
The Elect Lady
edited for the modern reader by Michael R. Phillips. Three childhood friends (Alexa Fordyce, the daughter of the Laird; Andrew Ingram, a tenant; and Dawtie, the daughter of a cottar couple) come of age and are driven apart by class. MacDonald chronicles the spiritual journeys of the three by confronting them with the miserly avarice of the Laird (Alexa’s father) and the matrimonial advances of George Crawford (Alexa’s cousin and suitor). We constantly encounter the contrast between hypocritical religiosity and genuine faith.
As a reader, I am drawn to novels that have much more action than this one, but MacDonald is so good at showing how infinitely more important character is than class or money, that I have read this book over and over again. This book is full of spiritual insights and forces me to examine my own life to see how I would have reacted under the circumstances that these characters encounter. If you like George MacDonald, you won't be disappointed.
As a reader, I am drawn to novels that have much more action than this one, but MacDonald is so good at showing how infinitely more important character is than class or money, that I have read this book over and over again. This book is full of spiritual insights and forces me to examine my own life to see how I would have reacted under the circumstances that these characters encounter. If you like George MacDonald, you won't be disappointed.
January 18, 2018
This is probably one of my favorite George MacDonald books. I look forward to reading it again soon.
Just finished reading this for the third time. The draw for this book is that MacDonald takes you through someone's spiritual awakening over time. His adult novels are relationship/character driven. The Lover in these stories is Jesus Christ. There is much of the mystery of Christ. MacDonald has some things to say to the "Pharisees" of his day (late 19th century) through the characters in this novel and it is just as applicable today.
If you want to stretch your imagination and get a fresh look at Jesus through some of His children, give this or another one of MacDonald's stories a try. My spirit was refreshed and I again was challenged in the way I am living.
Just finished reading this for the third time. The draw for this book is that MacDonald takes you through someone's spiritual awakening over time. His adult novels are relationship/character driven. The Lover in these stories is Jesus Christ. There is much of the mystery of Christ. MacDonald has some things to say to the "Pharisees" of his day (late 19th century) through the characters in this novel and it is just as applicable today.
If you want to stretch your imagination and get a fresh look at Jesus through some of His children, give this or another one of MacDonald's stories a try. My spirit was refreshed and I again was challenged in the way I am living.
August 3, 2010
As always George MacDonald blew me away. There are always so many gems in his writings that help you to see things in a new light, grow you, and allow you to see God in a new light.
I can't really say what the book was about, as anything I would say would be to spoil the beauty and wonder of his writing!
I can't really say what the book was about, as anything I would say would be to spoil the beauty and wonder of his writing!
December 22, 2024
I’ve found Author George MacDonald to be soulful, with deep thoughts and meaning. His character builds are rich in feeling, devotion, wonder and seeking devotion. The settings are delightful along the sea and marsh.
As the reader, be patient and experience the pull of your soul as you experience the characters truest selves unfold in relation to one another through faith and friendship.
As the reader, be patient and experience the pull of your soul as you experience the characters truest selves unfold in relation to one another through faith and friendship.
March 3, 2009
This was a beautiful story and description of lives that are lived in simple obedience to God. It inspired me to want that for my life and accept no substitute!
November 15, 2011
Loved MacDonald's writing style. Loved the development of the characters and how the author's focus is their spiritual selves not just their personalities.
July 26, 2012
A miser, an honest servant, a good man, and a wealthy woman.
September 9, 2016
This book shows how the love of things (even good doctrines) can diminish our love of God. MacDonald is an expert at weaving truth into his fiction.
May 27, 2017
BEAUTIFUL, full of so many truths and life lessons on living a life with a real, practical Christian faith. Better than almost any sermon, and packaged as a simple novel.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews