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What's Mine's Mine
Set in the invigorating wilds of Scotland, clans are crumbling and emigrating as their homeland is bought out from under them. The characters quickly become your friends as you identify with and learn from their struggles and joys. Contrasts abound between true and false (or shallow) relationships, convictions, morals, and faith. - Summary by HannahMary
15 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 1886
81 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald
1,681 books2,490 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 72 reviews
May 16, 2016
First published in 1886, this is a story of two brothers that love each other the way David and Jonathan did. It's a story of the vanishing of the highland clans' way of life as their land is bought out by "lowlanders" richer than they. And it's the story of the eldest of those brothers, Alister Macruadh, a young chief who loves his clan with the love of a father and wants above all else to keep his land and keep his people safely with him. But this is a George MacDonald novel, which means it's often less novel than sermon and/or love letter to the beauty of his dear Scotland. What's Mine's Mine is considered one of his "romances," but the love story of Alister and Mercy is less important to MacDonald than all the aforementioned elements. (Still, it is a lovely element.)
Trying to explain my recently cultivated love for this author is a difficult thing. No fiction author would today get away with all his "be more like Jesus and this is how you do it!" asides. He was certainly a preacher first and a novelist second; even his greatest fan C.S. Lewis admits this. What he does in these books shouldn't work, especially for a modern reader like myself. Yet the beautiful old language and the open heart of the author, loving his reader as well as his characters right there on the page, are irresistible to me. I understand at last Lewis's description that MacDonald "baptized his imagination," both in the literal sense of that word and the spiritual sense. Funny that this happened for him while reading one of MacDonald's fantasy works and for me while reading one of his romances (me who generally doesn't read them!). This book made me examine myself as a reflection of Christ and showed me ways in which old idolatries still hang on.
And I'm still thinking of Alister and Ian as old friends, missing them now their story is ended, wishing there were a sequel (something like Adventures of Clanruadh in Canada; if I discovered this book existed, I really might cry tears of happiness).
EDIT: Clarifying, since this review also shows up on the page for the Michael Philips abridgment (The Highlander's Last Song), that my review is of the unabridged work.
Trying to explain my recently cultivated love for this author is a difficult thing. No fiction author would today get away with all his "be more like Jesus and this is how you do it!" asides. He was certainly a preacher first and a novelist second; even his greatest fan C.S. Lewis admits this. What he does in these books shouldn't work, especially for a modern reader like myself. Yet the beautiful old language and the open heart of the author, loving his reader as well as his characters right there on the page, are irresistible to me. I understand at last Lewis's description that MacDonald "baptized his imagination," both in the literal sense of that word and the spiritual sense. Funny that this happened for him while reading one of MacDonald's fantasy works and for me while reading one of his romances (me who generally doesn't read them!). This book made me examine myself as a reflection of Christ and showed me ways in which old idolatries still hang on.
And I'm still thinking of Alister and Ian as old friends, missing them now their story is ended, wishing there were a sequel (something like Adventures of Clanruadh in Canada; if I discovered this book existed, I really might cry tears of happiness).
EDIT: Clarifying, since this review also shows up on the page for the Michael Philips abridgment (The Highlander's Last Song), that my review is of the unabridged work.
February 7, 2018
Another refreshing, gripping story from George MacDonald. My life is richer, and I am a better person, for having read it, for these reasons:
*New knowledge of Scottish history, and particularly the trials of highland clans in the changing world of the 19th century
*Vivid, almost personal descriptions of the beauties of that land
*The penetrating characterization of people along the whole spectrum of moral development, from almost unbelievably good to unimpeachably selfish, and many complex sorts in between
*The imperfect, but great moral valor of several of the prominent characters, from whom I feel I can learn a great deal
*Profound spiritual, moral, and theological depth of the dialogue and prose
*Pictures of spiritual friendship and romance rooted in God
*I have a better idea of what it means to trust and obey God and to act justly toward my neighbor from sitting with this story and these characters.
I don't agree with every element of MacDonald's worldview, especially his strong implicit bias against established churches, but I would gladly take lessons from such a man, who gushed imagination and insight, and soaked every page he wrote in the absolute love and goodness of God.
*New knowledge of Scottish history, and particularly the trials of highland clans in the changing world of the 19th century
*Vivid, almost personal descriptions of the beauties of that land
*The penetrating characterization of people along the whole spectrum of moral development, from almost unbelievably good to unimpeachably selfish, and many complex sorts in between
*The imperfect, but great moral valor of several of the prominent characters, from whom I feel I can learn a great deal
*Profound spiritual, moral, and theological depth of the dialogue and prose
*Pictures of spiritual friendship and romance rooted in God
*I have a better idea of what it means to trust and obey God and to act justly toward my neighbor from sitting with this story and these characters.
I don't agree with every element of MacDonald's worldview, especially his strong implicit bias against established churches, but I would gladly take lessons from such a man, who gushed imagination and insight, and soaked every page he wrote in the absolute love and goodness of God.
May 29, 2024
Books that merit a 5-star review are slowly becoming increasingly rare in my eyes, mostly due to my increasing wonder at the wealth of good literature available. But this somewhat obscure, simply written, profoundly expressed piece by MacDonald did more than just merit a good review—it left me wanting to start right back in at the beginning as soon as I finished it.
Through the characters of Ian and Alister, MacDonald captures human emotion and character at its finest, sprinkled with honest, endearing imperfections. Through the lives of Christina and Mercy, he portrays the frightening reality of small-mindedness, of a dull, comfortable complacency, of the realization of one's own adulterated self. And in the intersection of their four lives, he holds out a fascinating picture of what it means to cling to conviction; to come to a breaking point and be willing to give up all in order to embrace the truth; even to accept contempt by the world if with it comes the knowledge of real, eternal, perfected love.
Through the characters of Ian and Alister, MacDonald captures human emotion and character at its finest, sprinkled with honest, endearing imperfections. Through the lives of Christina and Mercy, he portrays the frightening reality of small-mindedness, of a dull, comfortable complacency, of the realization of one's own adulterated self. And in the intersection of their four lives, he holds out a fascinating picture of what it means to cling to conviction; to come to a breaking point and be willing to give up all in order to embrace the truth; even to accept contempt by the world if with it comes the knowledge of real, eternal, perfected love.
May 24, 2022
Much better than the last few I read of his.
Takes place in Scotland and is a tale that includes two romances. Christina & Ian and Alistair and Mercy.
The overall theme is about living according to the teachings of Jesus and trusting in God in order to blossom into the person we were meant to become.
Amazing insight and incredibly inspirational while telling an entertaining story.
Unfortunately it felt unfinished and rushed in the end.
Content concerns: IMHO - none.
Spoilers
Takes place in Scotland and is a tale that includes two romances. Christina & Ian and Alistair and Mercy.
The overall theme is about living according to the teachings of Jesus and trusting in God in order to blossom into the person we were meant to become.
Amazing insight and incredibly inspirational while telling an entertaining story.
Unfortunately it felt unfinished and rushed in the end.
Content concerns: IMHO - none.
Spoilers
June 17, 2020
A book that touches the soul.
April 28, 2024
I listened to this on librovox every morning this semester as I walked to class and just now finished it on my drive home for the summer. As with every MacDonald book ever, I am convicted to love more freely and boldly, and my enchantment with the beauty of life has been nourished.
June 15, 2017
Definitely not as good as his others, although it could very well be that I read this during a time that I couldn't concentrate on much depth ;) There were several doctrinal things that I was kind of "eh" about, although I could see where the author was coming from. I was really disappointed that Ian didn't come back into the story....it almost seems like his life was left unfinished. The rest of the story had interesting moments, but I'm wondering if the unabridged version would be more extensive with the scenes. It just felt like a lot was left out!
May 26, 2025
My friend Michelle lent me this book. I love George MacDonald. I've read many of his books, but this is the first time I've read this one. It's a Scottish Highland tale. Alister and Ian, the noble Macruadh brothers, were forced to sell a portion of their ancestral land. The new neighbors find the just, godly ways and open faith of the Macruadhs puzzling, but also compelling. When the new owners begin forcing clan members to leave their village home, Alister (as clan chief) protects and helps his people.
Through the faith of the brothers, MacDonald opens my eyes to new ways of knowing and experiencing God which causes me to love and trust him more!
This is a long story, almost 500 pages. As much as I love MacDonald, at times he gives way too many non-essential details and descriptions.
Through the faith of the brothers, MacDonald opens my eyes to new ways of knowing and experiencing God which causes me to love and trust him more!
This is a long story, almost 500 pages. As much as I love MacDonald, at times he gives way too many non-essential details and descriptions.
October 17, 2022
I found the full length beautiful Johannesen edition of this wonderful book by the great Scottish writer George MacDonald at Armchair Books when I was with a friend in Edinburgh, Scotland. This story, which is set in Scotland, conveys how the agape love of Christ is greater than the god of mammon, traces the spiritual awakening of Mercy and Christina, the great bond of brotherhood Ian and Alister have, the epic love story of Alister and Mercy, and is a love letter to the old Highlander culture. This is my favorite of MacDonald's novels. Be sure to get the full length edition of this book, and not an edited version.
November 1, 2014
This is my #1 favorite novel of all time. The imagery is so vivid, the characters so human, the spiritual themes so powerful that, no matter how many times I read it, I am always moved and always learn something new. Very different from MacDonald's more commercial novels, What's Mine's Mine is infused with his very deep love of God, nature, and his Highland homeland. If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, it's this one.
(A "modern" edition of this novel was released as The Highlander's Last Song, edited by Michael Phillips. A very good rendition, but lacks a bit of the historical nuance and spiritual depth that sets the original apart.)
(A "modern" edition of this novel was released as The Highlander's Last Song, edited by Michael Phillips. A very good rendition, but lacks a bit of the historical nuance and spiritual depth that sets the original apart.)
August 21, 2025
MacDonald writes with paternal kindness and wisdom, and he writes beautifully of people and places. This book was great but not as good as phantastes or the princess and curdie (but that is a high bar). I wish that men and women were as good, or could be as good, as the ones in this book. Was slightly annoyed by the end by once character having his head in the spiritual clouds so much that he couldn't see what was right in front of him (reminiscent of prince Myshkin).
I disagreed with some of the logic for the characters' philosophical decisions. They are Christian fatalists in essence. Total belief in God's sovereignty means every thing and every circumstance is within God's plan, and for our good, either on earth or in heaven. In principle I agree, but practically it is confusing to distinguish when to act and when to be still, when to resist and when to submit. Sometimes the characters submit to wrongs as under God's will, and other times the characters act as under God's will, and I couldn't distinguish why one and not the other. Christian fatalism makes sense to me, but does not seem to be useful in making practical decisions. MacDonald also makes a case for Christian universalism that seems rooted in human sentimentality and not scripture.
I disagreed with some of the logic for the characters' philosophical decisions. They are Christian fatalists in essence. Total belief in God's sovereignty means every thing and every circumstance is within God's plan, and for our good, either on earth or in heaven. In principle I agree, but practically it is confusing to distinguish when to act and when to be still, when to resist and when to submit. Sometimes the characters submit to wrongs as under God's will, and other times the characters act as under God's will, and I couldn't distinguish why one and not the other. Christian fatalism makes sense to me, but does not seem to be useful in making practical decisions. MacDonald also makes a case for Christian universalism that seems rooted in human sentimentality and not scripture.
September 14, 2015
"A story of Scotland from her master storyteller ... another MacDonald classic retold for today's reader by Michael R. Phillips.
"This book, probably more than any other George MacDonald novel, paints a portrait of his deep love for his Scottish homeland. The story center around a once-mighty highland clan and the social, cultural and spiritual forces of change which they faces at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Alister Macruadh, the highlander's chief, no longer could, by force of will and weapon, resist the intrusions into their beloved hills."
That's a very slanted version of this book. Yes, Sassenachs of the worst sort -- those who have made their money by less than honorable means and who are morally unhealthy -- have bought most of the clan's former lands and the chief's former house and are completely unable and unwilling to understand or be sympathetic to the highland Scots culture. But ...
the bulk of the plot revolves around two brothers: one the chief & one his younger brother. Both are extremely religious, and a good deal of the book is diatribes about how a good Christian should live his (or her) life. Mostly that involves turning the other cheek and doing nothing about any given situation on the theory that God will take care of it. Please don't misunderstand: I also believe in those tenets -- it's just that this was meant to be a novel about life in the highlands in the late 1800s, not a treatise on Christian morality. And page after page of being preached at is not my idea of a good novel; I didn't much care for Mists of Avalon for the same reason.
All that being said, this book was written in 1886, and it probably reflects the thinking and preferences of the Victorian age rather than today's criteria.
"This book, probably more than any other George MacDonald novel, paints a portrait of his deep love for his Scottish homeland. The story center around a once-mighty highland clan and the social, cultural and spiritual forces of change which they faces at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Alister Macruadh, the highlander's chief, no longer could, by force of will and weapon, resist the intrusions into their beloved hills."
That's a very slanted version of this book. Yes, Sassenachs of the worst sort -- those who have made their money by less than honorable means and who are morally unhealthy -- have bought most of the clan's former lands and the chief's former house and are completely unable and unwilling to understand or be sympathetic to the highland Scots culture. But ...
the bulk of the plot revolves around two brothers: one the chief & one his younger brother. Both are extremely religious, and a good deal of the book is diatribes about how a good Christian should live his (or her) life. Mostly that involves turning the other cheek and doing nothing about any given situation on the theory that God will take care of it. Please don't misunderstand: I also believe in those tenets -- it's just that this was meant to be a novel about life in the highlands in the late 1800s, not a treatise on Christian morality. And page after page of being preached at is not my idea of a good novel; I didn't much care for Mists of Avalon for the same reason.
All that being said, this book was written in 1886, and it probably reflects the thinking and preferences of the Victorian age rather than today's criteria.
November 4, 2013
My girlfriend sent me this book because she said it was one of her favorites. I found it a big depressing. It is a story written in the 1800's by George McDonald and has been republished for modern audiences. It is about a time in Scotland when wealthy English are buying up the land, bringing in new and foreign ideas, and Scotland is losing its old ways and traditions. Two daughters of one such Englishmen who is buying land are visiting the area, and they meet up with 2 brothers from the neighboring Scottish clan, one of whom is the chief and feels a great responsibility to care for his people. The sisters come to appreciate the land as Alister and Ian do, and there is romance in the air as the sisters and brothers spend time with each other. I wonder what is happening in the church during that time because the author is so negative about Christ and his death on the cross (the focal point of Christianity) and instead camps on nature and its beauty. I suspect that the preachers at that time were hellfire and brimstone preachers who neglected to speak about the love and kindness of God, which is shown in Jesus's incarnation and becoming to live as a common man among the people of earth, showing his compassion and understanding of the human dilemma. In the chief's eyes, things couldn't have gone worse because the people are forced to leave Scotland and emigrate to Canada. In the epilogue, however, you learn that these people ended up with a much better life in the New World because they were no longer starving, they could get land and farm, and they transferred their communities and heritage to a new place. It is sad to see the old ways of life disappear, but I suppose this is the fate of living in the world, constantly dealing with change and losses.
August 1, 2016
One of my new favorite MacDonalds! The tale of the last chieftain family in a region of Scotland and their encounter with new, worldly neighbors. Conflict inevitably ensues as old traditions and rights are violated--escalating when romantic interests develop between the families. Each family deals with the troubles in true firm of their character--one seeking life and restoration, one seeking rights. Clearly, the ideal setting to explore the idea of possession of anything and how this relates to trust in God.
"If the loss of any thing could cause you to doubt God," that thing is not on a good plane in your heart.
Obviously some of the conversations exist for the purpose of MacDonald delivering his opinions on issues and are therefore slightly unnatural in sound, but the content is extremely rich, so the "offense" is forgivable.
"If the loss of any thing could cause you to doubt God," that thing is not on a good plane in your heart.
Obviously some of the conversations exist for the purpose of MacDonald delivering his opinions on issues and are therefore slightly unnatural in sound, but the content is extremely rich, so the "offense" is forgivable.
October 1, 2009
I read this book ages ago and am just thinking about it again for work purposes. It's a great story about the end of an era in Scotland--move from their traditional system of lairds and such to a more modern system. You watch as a good man and his family try to do what is right according to their spiritual and moral codes, and you see how that impacts the people around them. MacDonald manages to avoid a moralizing tone in the book, despite the fact that morality is a major theme in it. I really recommend this just as a solid read about an interesting period in history. It's inspiring in a way that most inspirational fiction misses (in my opinion)... isn't trying so hard to hammer home a point or a lifestyle that it neglects good writing or storytelling.
January 15, 2009
George MacDonald has written some good stuff. I don't think I've read any Christian fiction that is as deep AND enjoyable as either Thomas Wingfold or What's Mine's Mine.
March 3, 2009
I am reading a lot of McDonald these days...And so far I've loved every book!! They not only a good stories, but are jam-packed with amazing Truth and Life. The Lord is really using it to bring me closer to Him.
May 6, 2014
Whenever a book can move you forward in your faith it goes beyond just good writing into a deeper, more meaningful story. The truths within George's writing are written on my heart for a lifetime and constantly draw me back again and again to see Jesus and His Word in a very special way.
June 4, 2007
all of. G.MacD's historical novels are fabulous. Definaely not easy, but worth the effort. They make you want to be a better person.
January 17, 2008
read it years ago. re-reading it now for some "food" which George McDonald amply supplies.
July 8, 2015
I read this, too, years ago. I was into George MacDonald for a while and read whatever I could get my hands on at the library.
February 5, 2025
Thin on plot and full of MacDonald's ideally holy and villainous characters, which is both the merit and the demerit of the book. Beautiful in places and full of penetrating spiritual insights that should be mulled and savoured like all of MacDonald's works, but from a novelistic perspective I found the ending rather abrupt and unsatisfying, and it verged on the sanctimonious and monological at points. Hard to read as a novel--I had to read it as part fairy-tale, part hagiography and part eco-fiction, in which niche genre it is first class.
May 8, 2024
I think I told everyone in my family about this book and started recommending it even before I finished it. It's that good. Though I don't normally, I underlined sentences because they struck me so forcibly, and I know I will want to read them again.
It's a story of a Scottish family, two brothers who are called to follow different paths in life yet support each other in the deepest manner possible. New landed gentry have bought a part of their ancestral land and live there in ignorance of their traditions and way of thinking. Two daughters meet the two sons and their lives change.
It's not a typical love story, but the profound message of how love--and faith in love--changes the world speaks to the heart of the human experience.
It's a story of a Scottish family, two brothers who are called to follow different paths in life yet support each other in the deepest manner possible. New landed gentry have bought a part of their ancestral land and live there in ignorance of their traditions and way of thinking. Two daughters meet the two sons and their lives change.
It's not a typical love story, but the profound message of how love--and faith in love--changes the world speaks to the heart of the human experience.
Read
April 26, 2025The young chief was a kind of every man’s hero. I resonated with his thought processes and felt he matured in ways I am praying for in my own life. The title of this book is great and hits the heart of giving up what I feel is mine or feel the justification for having. It smacks at “my rights” as a human and gently, repetitively reminds me to let God will be the guide. I would put this towards the top of my favorite GM books.
May 9, 2021
How can you end a book this way. I wanted to hear about Christina, not what happened to the clan.
December 30, 2024
“To save man or woman, the next thing to the love of God is the love of man or woman; only let no man or woman mistake the love of love for love!” ― George MacDonald
“True, there is no religion in fear; religion is love, and love casts out fear; but until a man has love, it is well he should have fear.” ― George MacDonald
I read this book as a part of the G3 Ministries reading challenge, where one of the categories was a book by George MacDonald. MacDonald was a great influence on C.S. Lewis, and as I thoroughly enjoy Lewis, I picked Lewis’ favorite novel by MacDonald, What’s Mine’s Mine. I had no idea what this book was going to be about other than that MacDonald was known to be “preachy” in his prose and that his theology is stringently about love. God was trying to tell me something this year, because many of my top books have this theme about them.
Plot: There isn’t much plot-wise about this novel other than two nobility women staying longer than usual in an unfamiliar land where they meet the chief of the area and his brother and slowly fall in love with them. There is also a deer that the chief wants to save, and the girls’ dad wants to kill as a trophy.
Themes: The major themes in this novel that I could pick out on a first read—as it is one of those books that you must read multiple times to fully pick up on some themes—were class or caste versus identity, and love versus greed and redemption. I know there is a lot more that MacDonald wanted to get across with this novel, and someday I hope to revisit it to pick up on some things that I missed with this read. He does weave in some “preachy” moments that some people don’t like, but I thoroughly enjoyed. This book has more highlights in it than any other book on my kindle. It was hard for me to narrow down which quotes I wanted to use to open this review with.
Worldbuilding: The main “worldbuilding” done in this book is explaining the differences between castes in the Scottish system and the pride one has in their land. Nothing too fancy, but it was engaging, nonetheless.
Characters: The characters in this novel really shine. I just want to go and live with them and meet them. MacDonald uses descriptions of the characters that are unparalleled which give the reader the ability to know exactly what the character is like. It truly is remarkable. The characters battle with greed and uncertainty in a very believable way and reading each character led me to say in my head, “I know someone exactly like that!”
Writing Style: The writing in this book was masterful. As I said in the character section, I truly could understand each character and picture them perfectly in my head. The prose of this book makes the reader think and enjoy the slowness of life in Scotland, which can be exciting. Most authors couldn’t pull off this long of a book where very little in terms of plot happens, but the reader is still engaged. MacDonald could write about the subconscious aspect of blinking for ten pages and there wouldn’t be a dull moment.
“True, there is no religion in fear; religion is love, and love casts out fear; but until a man has love, it is well he should have fear.” ― George MacDonald
I read this book as a part of the G3 Ministries reading challenge, where one of the categories was a book by George MacDonald. MacDonald was a great influence on C.S. Lewis, and as I thoroughly enjoy Lewis, I picked Lewis’ favorite novel by MacDonald, What’s Mine’s Mine. I had no idea what this book was going to be about other than that MacDonald was known to be “preachy” in his prose and that his theology is stringently about love. God was trying to tell me something this year, because many of my top books have this theme about them.
Plot: There isn’t much plot-wise about this novel other than two nobility women staying longer than usual in an unfamiliar land where they meet the chief of the area and his brother and slowly fall in love with them. There is also a deer that the chief wants to save, and the girls’ dad wants to kill as a trophy.
Themes: The major themes in this novel that I could pick out on a first read—as it is one of those books that you must read multiple times to fully pick up on some themes—were class or caste versus identity, and love versus greed and redemption. I know there is a lot more that MacDonald wanted to get across with this novel, and someday I hope to revisit it to pick up on some things that I missed with this read. He does weave in some “preachy” moments that some people don’t like, but I thoroughly enjoyed. This book has more highlights in it than any other book on my kindle. It was hard for me to narrow down which quotes I wanted to use to open this review with.
Worldbuilding: The main “worldbuilding” done in this book is explaining the differences between castes in the Scottish system and the pride one has in their land. Nothing too fancy, but it was engaging, nonetheless.
Characters: The characters in this novel really shine. I just want to go and live with them and meet them. MacDonald uses descriptions of the characters that are unparalleled which give the reader the ability to know exactly what the character is like. It truly is remarkable. The characters battle with greed and uncertainty in a very believable way and reading each character led me to say in my head, “I know someone exactly like that!”
Writing Style: The writing in this book was masterful. As I said in the character section, I truly could understand each character and picture them perfectly in my head. The prose of this book makes the reader think and enjoy the slowness of life in Scotland, which can be exciting. Most authors couldn’t pull off this long of a book where very little in terms of plot happens, but the reader is still engaged. MacDonald could write about the subconscious aspect of blinking for ten pages and there wouldn’t be a dull moment.
November 2, 2017
This book is a very upsetting story about turning the other cheek. It also illustrates that you can't buy class.
Once a powerful chieftain, the Laird has been reduced to plowing the little remaining land on his once magnificent estate with half wild bulls, trying to eke out a living for himself with enough set aside to do for his clan when they fall on hard times. Then, a bourgeois English family moves in nearby, and the head of this family will stop at nothing to remove the Scots from their homeland.
I liked this book because it is about being a good person and not setting so much store in the things of this world.
I didn't like it because the main character gets treated so badly and the bad guy hardly gets punished. And they are Protestant. You may think that isn't a big deal, but for a Scotsman to be a Protestant means that his family buckled down to the English and betrayed their values. Come on, guys, your faith is worth dying for. Isn't this supposed to be what this is all about?
Heck, Irish Catholics don't even drink Bushmills, and they were willing to loose everything before their religion! Come on! You're supposed to be so tough and so proud to be Highlanders!
Once a powerful chieftain, the Laird has been reduced to plowing the little remaining land on his once magnificent estate with half wild bulls, trying to eke out a living for himself with enough set aside to do for his clan when they fall on hard times. Then, a bourgeois English family moves in nearby, and the head of this family will stop at nothing to remove the Scots from their homeland.
I liked this book because it is about being a good person and not setting so much store in the things of this world.
I didn't like it because the main character gets treated so badly and the bad guy hardly gets punished. And they are Protestant. You may think that isn't a big deal, but for a Scotsman to be a Protestant means that his family buckled down to the English and betrayed their values. Come on, guys, your faith is worth dying for. Isn't this supposed to be what this is all about?
Heck, Irish Catholics don't even drink Bushmills, and they were willing to loose everything before their religion! Come on! You're supposed to be so tough and so proud to be Highlanders!
April 19, 2014
This is an edited version of 'What's Mine's Mine' and I read the full version from Project Gutenberg. MacDonald's novels, while note quite reaching the heights of Phantastes and Lilith, for example, still have much to offer the attentive reader. In them we see see his theological and social views acted out (much more effective than a sermon) in a way that lingers in your mind longer after you put the book down. These are not novels in the modern sense with action and tightly plotted story lines. They are more leisurely, concerned with character and meant to open our eyes, to edify but never to bore. Get past the 19th Century language and there are some real gems to be found here. Note on the etext: in the second half in particular there are a number text scanning issues. Never enough to affect the meaning but still a shame and easily eradicated.
November 1, 2014
This is a modern edit of my #1 favorite novel of all time, What's Mine's Mine. The imagery is so vivid, the characters so human, the spiritual themes so powerful that, no matter how many times I read it, I am always moved and always learn something new. Very different from MacDonald's more commercial novels, What's Mine's Mine is infused with his very deep love of God, nature, and his Highland homeland. If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, it's this one.
(A "modern" edition of this novel was released as The Highlander's Last Song edited by Michael Phillips. A very good rendition, but lacks a bit of the historical nuance and spiritual depth that sets the original apart.)
(A "modern" edition of this novel was released as The Highlander's Last Song edited by Michael Phillips. A very good rendition, but lacks a bit of the historical nuance and spiritual depth that sets the original apart.)
February 28, 2018
Wow! It was one of those stories that touched me personally. Goodness and badness are strongly and wonderfully personified in a romance story that is more than just a romance; it is a story that illustrates the walk of faith and what it may cost at times to one's pride. Yet, even more than that, it made me want to be better, to think about why I do things, and to make me realize that there's a lot I still need to surrender to God in my life. It's old style of language was difficult, especially at first, but it was worth it. While not everyone will think it as wonderful as I did, that is not the real point of the story, for it brims over with so many truths and great insights that made it worth reading all by themselves.
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