An Expression of Character: The Letters of George Macdonald

by George MacDonald

As a poet and novelist in nineteenth-century Scotland, George MacDonald became an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer whose work has inspired such prominent writers and artists as C. S. Lewis and Maurice Sendak. This extensive collection of MacDonald's personal correspondence offers privileged insights into the inner thoughts and visionary ideas of one of Scotland's greatest storytellers.
An Expression of Character draws from more than 3,000 of MacDonald's letters to friends and family members, many not previously published. Highly regarded as a MacDonald scholar, Glenn Edward Sadler has arranged the most significant of MacDonald's letters chronologically, dividing his life into significant his boyhood in Huntly and student days at Aberdeen University; his marriage and fatherhood; his career as a novelist; his lecture tour in America in 1872; and his later days in Bordighera, Italy. Sadler skillfully introduces each section, summarizing the significant milestones in MacDonald's life. Sixteen pages of photographs, including many of the MacDonald family, also help capture this intriguing literary figure.
Fascinating, at times lyrical, and often moving, these letters provide a window into MacDonald's personal and spiritual life. Most of his letters are earthy and practical, showing his concern for the events of everyday life, his warm attachment to friends, and the importance of his role as husband and father. Other letters reveal MacDonald's spiritual approach to life and the develop ment of his religious views. Especially significant was his firm belief in what C. S. Lewis defined as "good Death" and in the glorious life hereafter.
Readers of MacDonald will find in these letters penetrating glimpses of a deeply religious and sensitive man. To the specialist and general reader alike the letters speak with heartfelt sincerity and warmth. Those familiar with MacDonald's fiction and poetry will find the best portrait yet of the man himself.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

395 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

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

[David Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book: a collection of the letters of George MacDonald, from the age of 12 to his death. A first-hand look into the life of George MacDonald. And as are all MacDonald's works, even so are his personal communications full of his hope and wisdom. I found more excellent quotes among his letters than can be found in some of his novels. If you enjoy George MacDonald and have even a slight interest in his life or 19th-century history, you will want to read this.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection that would serve better as a supplement to a good biography. Because I (somehow) have yet to read a biography of George MacDonald, I found myself continually going, "Wait! What about this?" or "What happened with that?" Besides which, the book refers to Greville MacDonald's biography of his parents so many times, I found myself wishing I were just reading that, instead.
It is, nonetheless, a solid work, and quite worth the while for MacDonald devotees. One can never get too much of this man.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of letters, mostly written by George MacDonald but occasionally by others, such as his wife, Louisa. Despite the illness and deaths that plagued his life, MacDonald continually turned to God for hope and comfort, which would often then share with others. He sometimes (often) discussed his debts and asked people for food or money, which did become a bit annoying (MacDonald was often struggling financially, which wasn't helped by his frequent illnesses and his raising eleven children). I learned a great deal about his life through this collection, though I wish there were more letters and responses from other people, just to provide a bit more context. I did, however, appreciate that the letters were split into different sections or "eras" of MacDonald's life. At the beginning of each section, Sadler (the editor) provides a brief overview and timeline of major events during that time in MacDonald's life.

[Mike Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had written letters! George MacDonald is known today for his books for children. But in my first year in college, I consumed his Victorian novels (filled with incomprehensible Scottish brogue). I loved them not for plot or characters but for his sermonizing!

He spends his life constantly in debt. He was a minister but got fired. And spent the rest of his life writing for a living. He and his wife had 11 children (plus two they adopted). Four of them died before him (but all as adults).

This was a well edited collection.

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible collection of the letters of George MacDonald. It was a profoundly moving read, and makes me appreciate the Scottish bard more.