The Portent and Other Stories

by George MacDonald

Perhaps she was tired of me. Perhaps her new studies filled her mind with the clear, gladsome morning light of the pure intellect, which always throws doubt and distrust and a kind of negation upon the moonlight of passion, mysterious, and mingled ever with faint shadows of pain. I walked as in an unresting sleep. Utterly as I loved her, I was yet alarmed and distressed to find how entirely my being had grown dependent upon her love; how little of individual, self-existing, self-upholding life, I seemed to have left; how little I cared for anything, save as I could associate it with her.

Genres: Short Stories, Fantasy, Classics

260 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

George 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.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an imagination George MacDonald had! What language he used! The Portent is an intriguing love story. The other stories are suspenseful and unpredictable.

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

Started out promising but fell flat about 1/2 way.

MacDonald starts with a great slow build up only to glaze over the middle and rush the ending.

Touches on themes of past life, second sight, clairaudience yadda yadda.

A man and woman, meet and know they have a connection from a past life. This isn't really said, but heavily implied. The woman goes in and out of dreamlike trance states and was deemed mentally ill until her love finds a way to bring her out of it. He rescues her and they live happily ever after.

Not one of his better ones.

No content concerns.

[Donovan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this several years ago and just re-read the first story this time as a refresher. I like old Scottish stories that feature the highland belief in second sight and Macdonald doesn't disappoint. This story is typical of Macdonald where the hero has to struggle to fulfill his destiny. Overall a good short story to introduce a reader to a touch of what Macdonald has to offer

[Tirzah L. O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great selection of entertaining and thought provoking stories of the ominous realm.
Ghosts, werewolves, star crossed lovers… many more stories to make you think and humor too.

[Timothy Joseph Foy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Supernatural Romance

This story comes to life mingling love with daring adventure in the face of death and decay. A blessed work!

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of MacDonalds short stories. Enjoyed it.

[A Hoppy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
1. The Portent
2. The Cruel Painter
3. The Castle
4. The Wow O'Riven
5. The Broken Swords
6. The Gray Wolf
7. Uncle Cornelius, his Story