The Parish Papers: A Quiet Neighborhood / Seaboard Parish / Vicar's Daughter

The Marshmallows Trilogy #1-3

by Dan Hamilton (Adapted by, Foreword, Afterword), George MacDonald

This collection of stories by 19th-century writer George MacDonald gives you three excellent books for the price of one. Set in Victorian England, the three sensitive romances-A Quiet Neighborhood, The Seaboard Parish, and The Vicar's Daughter are among MacDonald's best-loved works.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Classics, Christian

591 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1985

Reviews

[Joey Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your favorite author’s favorite author… Simply a joy.

If I could write like him, it would be curtains for all of you

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love MacDonald! As with most classic literature, beginning can be a little slow - but the story is wonderful - full of intrigue and faith and such wit! It's no wonder C.S. Lewis loved his writings. His stories completely ministered to me during a difficult time. This is more than clean fiction with a verse or two - it's chock-full of Christian thought and application.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent series of books about a pastor and his family and the lessons the Lord teaches them in everyday living. It is deep, thoughtful, inspiring, and even has a little edge-of-your seat excitement thrown in. As always with MacDonald's writings, I was encouraged in my faith and challenged to grow more in my Christian walk. MacDonald always puts Christ first in his writing; he inspires you to know and love Christ more.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read by a wonderful author. Again, it's the pictures he's able to create along with the morals, that help keep the slower stories moving, but worth the read.

[John Haslam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains three novels by George MacDonald and are set in the 19th century. The language reflects that time although Dan Hamilton has updated some of the language to be more accessible to modern readers. Still there is a sense of hearing from another time and mindset. MacDonald wrote about the life of a country parson and his subsequent family. I found the first novel very engaging with enough action to help me get through helpful but longish passages having to do with Christ9ian theology (very interesting to me).

I struggled with the final 2 novels which deal with his family life and focuses more on family drama although MacDonald never stray from a theological mindset. The struggle comes not from the human-interest aspect but the plodding nature on of the plot.

Still, it's worth reading not just for its historical/theological perspectives but seeing how people struggle with faith in the context of their lives.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already finished "A Quiet Neighborhood"

[Susannah Kellogg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This translation took all the beauty and spiritual truth out of the story! I switched to an unabridged version and that one will be a whole lot more than 2 stars!

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad..not one of his better books. But enjoyable non the less.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Quiet Neighborhood
The Seaboard Parish
The Vicar's Daughter

[Debra Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved them! I first read them 40 years ago and they were well worth retreading this summer! The spiritual life of his characters are so rich, you long to be like them!