The Shopkeeper's Daughter

The Marshmallows Trilogy #3

by George MacDonald

The Shopkeeper's Daughter

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Classics, Novels, Historical Fiction

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1872

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

[Emilie Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed many things about this novel, including some of MacDonald's theological outpourings. But it changed from the story of a Victorian family to a theological and social discourse about half way through, and while I found that interesting, it was like buying a cat and getting a dog. Still, for a peek into Victorian attitudes (liberal ones) and the beginning of a move away from paternalism into democracy (but only the beginning) it was fascinating. I kept wondering what MacDonald would make of our present society and wished he were here to tell us.

I loaded this on my eBook simply because of the title, and I'm glad I did. Next I'd like to try his fantasy, which was an inspiration to C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll. No higher praise than that.

[Perry Whitford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fictional memoirs of Ethelwyn Percivale, daughter of a wise vicar and wife of a struggling painter, written in order to fulfill an obligation her father owes to a publisher, modest and gentle in tone and ambition, 'made up of pieces only of a quiet and ordinary life'.

Before I read it I was aware that it was the last part of trilogy, the first two installments of which were written by the vicar himself, but this didn't discourage me; I had been looking for any excuse to read another book by George MacDonald after enjoying Phantastes: A Faerie Romance.

This book is set very much in the real world though, and our narrator is not kidding when she defines her life as 'quiet and ordinary'. But for one episode in which her daughter is temporarily kidnapped, all that she really does is have the odd dinner party, receive a few visits from her parents, and have some discussions about God.

Though telling the story of her own marriage and motherhood, her book is really about an extraordinary friend of hers, Miss Marion Clare, a saintly young lady who has decided to live among the poor and tend to their spiritual needs.

As Miss Clare does for her friends, so George MacDonald does for his readers, for contemplating those questions about how God can be understood in the face of life, poverty, wealth and death is his concern as well as hers.

The novel was too uneventful to be entertaining to any but the theologically inclined, but MacDonald does have a subtle and appealing way at looking at those questions, a very worldly way. As Ethelwyn advises, we need to 'trust in Him as a real, present, living, loving being, who counts us of more value than many sparrows, and will not let one of them fall to the ground'.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an... interesting book if you are into Christian fiction written in the 19th century. The writing isn't at all bad and follows the life of an English housewife in London. I got this book for free on my Sony Reader so I figured "Why not?" and began reading, having no real idea what the book was about. The writing style was a bit different from what I'm accustomed to, but I quickly adapted. However, being someone who isn't religious at all I found the first few discussions on God and Christianity to be a good way to break up the story, but after a while it just became grating and I started skipping sections where the main characters would talk at length about biblical meanings and whatnot. I did find the book more tolerable when the author examined the social mores and attitudes of the time, but that, along with the general story of the Wynnie, was about the only redeeming aspects of the it for me. I will give credit when it is due, it is well-written with a few compelling parts, but I just don't like Christian fiction and thus, did not like the book that much.

[Ross Acheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A non-traditional narrative composed of a non-linear series of vignettes from the perspective of a pastor's daughter, recently-married to an artist in London. The most interesting parts of the novel paint a portrait of another young woman who she meets and befriends, living life fully and beautifully for God through living with and loving the poor.

As with all of MacDonald's works, there's a lot of good theological dialogue and social commentary, and it's worth the read for that, but there's nothing gripping about the novel, and the lack of structure and the lack of dynamism in the main characters made for a somewhat unsatisfying read.

[Jason Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book, as with all MacDonald’s fictions, are the penetrating and life-giving truths he mixes in to the narrative. I was challenged to consider how people, whom I wouldn’t give a second chance, can change - not drastically, but significantly. Makes me consider how much I can change for the better.

The downside of the book is it is long. It is many pages and feels like many pages. The story is not consistently engaging, though I did enjoy how MacDonald tied up the loose ends from the previous books in this series.

[Cornelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives more than a glimpse into George MacDonald's unusual theological perspective. It shines through in all of his works of fiction, but I love the way in which the quiet pace of this novel lets you ruminate on MacDonald's singular doctrinal gems scattered, in the form of the musings of Ethelwyn, throughout the book. A relaxing, yet provocative read.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the Dan Hamilton edited version. This was more like a series of vignettes introducing characters and short subplots than the other MacDonald novels I’ve read. I read somewhere that this had been originally published as a serial, so that would explain it.

[Ronit · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the trilogy. The voices are those of laymen rather than a preacher and therefore have a different impact than the first two books, which I found challenging and inspiring.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictional autobiography written by Wynnie, whose father is a gentle, intelligent clergyman. Wynnie has a happy childhood and falls in love with a struggling artist.

The book is a series of anecdotes, involving both Wynnie and her family and also her increasing circle of friends. We learn a great deal about the impoverished of society of the time, through the eyes of a music teacher who has chosen to live amidst poverty in order to help others rise above their roots.

It's a rambling account, ideal for reading a chapter or two at night, since most are complete in themselves. There's no overall plot, and not a great deal happens. There's a clear Christian worldview, whch comes out in various discussions, but I don't think it was overdone; in places, the book was quite thought-provoking.

The edition I read was free for my Kindle. Recommmended, in a low-key kind of way, to anyone wanting something fairly easy, with more depth than some modern novels. Three and a half stars, really.

[Glen Grunau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book about 10 years ago. The Micheal Phillips edited version. I just completed the unedited McDonald original today . . . and would probably downgrade my earlier 4.stars rating to 3 stars due to the lengthy tangents and detours taken by McDonald in his original rendition. There was still the usual juicy number of wisdom nuggets that I have come to expect and appreciate from McDonald. But I am the first to admit that this particular novel required the editing provided by Phillips, who I have to give much credit to for introducing George McDonald's genius to new generations of readers who might otherwise have missed out.

[Charlotte Gunther · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many characters, but not too many. MacDonald describes their personalities, motives, looks, everything about them -- you might even see yourself in one of them. Some of the characters were redeemed and some were not.
I was intrigued by their stories and how the author wove them together but about 2/3rds the way through some important characters lost their places and lesser characters were brought to the fore, which in the end brought disappointment.
Nevertheless, I savor the way MacDonald defines those who people 19th C England.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t gone back to a George MacDonald novel for a long time! Edited by Elizabeth Guignard Hamilton, it was half the length of the original.
If you pick this up, or one of MacDonald’s other novels,
Don’t expect a modern-day read. Settle into the rhythm of meandering descriptions and internal thoughts. Enjoy the characters for who they are on their own time.
On this story, Joseph Jasper is my favourite, along with Mary’s father.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one very much, but didn't find it to be as fabulous as some of the others by this author. However, I would recommend it to the reader who loves fantasy, because the plot moved along nicely and the writing was full of beautiful imagery.

[Brook Maturo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy GM's characters though often times his heroes/heroines are too good to be realistic. Theological musings and all, I enjoyed this story. Maybe not as much as some of his others but I appreciated his treatment of faith, the poor and marriage. A good read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

George McDonald writes Christian fiction. This was not my favorite of his books but I enjoyed it. The SeaBoard Parish is my favorite of his books.

[Lynda Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good story but so long and so wordy.

[Abby Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as most of MacDonald's book, but he was writing in a female voice which he didn't quite carry off in my opinion. Still it kept my attention and was entertaining.

[Debra Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best. The characters relationship with God is so rich it makes you long to grow that close to God!