Guild Court

by George MacDonald

One of MacDonald's lesser known but imminently worthwhile stories set in London.

331 pages, Leather Bound

First published September 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

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a beautiful Johannesen edition of Guild Court at Arm Chair books in Edinburgh, Scotland for a very reasonable price. This English novel of MacDonald's, is one that I had never read before until now. Among the many interesting characters in the novel, my two favorites are Lucy and Thomas. Thomas finds himself being humbled by foolish and cowardly decisions, discovers the agape love of Abba Father, which he never knew existed in contrast to his dreadful fundamentalist upbringing, and ends up being reconciled to the strong, brilliant, and steadfast Lucy who never gave up on him. What a powerful story!

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new GMac favorites! Though not one of his more well-known books, it is one of MacDonald's more tightly written stories. All the plot lines interact and contribute to one another, the ending is satisfying without being saccharine (a difficult achievement in Victorian literature!), minimal asides (though retaining an interaction between the narrator and the reader), and clear “should’s” through the action, rather than through Victorian-style discourses mildly disguised in dialogue (not that I hate that in his other works!). Definitely read this if you enjoy MacDonald; definitely read if you enjoy Victorian-era stories; definitely read if you want to see the Kingdom of God live itself out in very real circumstances (homelessness, tangled romantic interests, willingness to take advantage of financial opportunities that could benefit either the self or others).

Named for the primary setting in a neighborhood in London, where characters rub up against scenarios that force them to make difficult choices and face their desires. Fortunately, Rev. Fuller is around to truly shepherd those in his city facing the temptation of options when we do not get our way. His words of wisdom ring with the truth of the Kingdom of God.

Thomas is in a pickle. He loves Lucy, his boss’ grandniece, despite her lower economic status. But his boss’ daughter falls in love with Thomas on a snowy walk on Christmas. When they get lost and are forced to find their way back alone, there is an understanding that it was because he was interested in pursuing this girl. Whoops. Love the Victorian courtship customs. He manages to disentangle himself from this—less than gracefully—but still must deal with his forbidden love affair with Lucy. To top that, his father has inherited Lucy's grandmother's "rightful" property through a whimsical allotment in a will. What could possibly go wrong? Along the way, Lucy levels up her spiritual game with the help of Rev. Fuller and a heart of service. This convicts her in connection to her hidden relationship and sets of a series of events that result from an avoidance of bringing one's actions to the light. Most of this, Thomas brings upon himself, though he has the opportunity to make a new man of himself in the end.

The Kingdom of God comes in the one-on-one, when we are willing to see those around us and to follow God's goodness toward them. Beautiful, messy, brave.

[Debbie Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and endearing

I enjoyed every minute of this book. I wish for a sequel. George MacDonald is a splendid writer. Now, on to his next book.

[Janice]

Jeff and I are currently working our way through this one.