Christian Speculative Fiction discussion

Today is the last day of our group read and wow! I just loved the ending of this book. Even though I had expected Gibbie and Ginevra to fall in love eventually, the way it comes about completely took me by surprise. It's such a beautiful development between two friends. I also love the kindness Gibbie continues to show even the most despicable character including Ginevra's father, Thomas Galbraith. What was your favorite part of this book?

For those who want to continue the story of Donal, here is a link to download a free copy off of Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

I finished Sir Gibbie last night and want to thank you for hosting this discussion.

I had forgotten how much I loved the story of Gibbie. Oh my gosh ... that flood; Mrs Croale's change of character; Donal's poetry; Janet's simple faith; the love between Ginevra and Gibbie! What's not to love? (Well the dialect was most confusing at times--the only negative in my opinion.)

Though in reading reviews, I noticed some people complained Gibbie is unbelievable and unrealistic because no one is that good, but I loved the purity and innocence he demonstrates despite all that happens to him; that he could be wise as a serpent while remaining gentle as a dove.

This will continue to be one of my favorite books.

Lara wrote: "For those who want to continue the story of Donal, here is a link to download a free copy off of Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...",

And for any who struggle with the broad Scots in Donal Grant, I am working on the translation which will be published towards the end of 2019 as a follow up to my new Gibbie edition released before Christmas. Donal Grant is the longest of all GM's novels incidentally, so if you enjoyed Gibbie, it should come as welcome news that its sequel is such a lengthy tome!

And yes, it's a lovely ending to Sir Gibbie. Apart from his and Ginevra's happy ending, there's Donal's poem The Laverock which was both a treat in itself, and a beautiful expression of his thoughtfulness about his two best friends in the midst of his own heartache. Gibbie, as you say, is equally considerate of Ginevra's father, which of course is quite in character for him but nonetheless noble given his reasons for resenting him.

The groundwork for the sequel is laid by the desolation of Donal and the wise words of Janet in reference to his heartbreak over Ginevra... (“He’ll be a the better for ’t i’ the en’,” she said, with a smile of the deepest sympathy, “though, bein’ my ain, I canna help bein’ wae for ’im. But the Lord was i’ the airthquak, an’ the fire, an’ the win’ that rave the rocks, though the prophet couldna see ’im. Donal ’ill come oot o’ this wi’ mair room in’s hert an’ mair licht in’s speerit.”)...but whether her words come true or not, you'll have to read on to discover!

C.S. wrote: " What's not to love? (Well the dialect was most confusing at times--the only negative in my opinion.)"

Did you see the discussion on the other page where my new translation was mentioned? It was published only 6 weeks ago, while this reading group was going on, and is the third in a series of 12 (all of MacDonald's Scottish novels) with Gibbie's sequel, Donal Grant the next in line. I'm happy to provide the link again if you'd like to check it out.

David wrote: "Did you see the discussion on the other page where my new translation was menti..."

Thank you for bringing up your translation. Go ahead and provide the link again.

David wrote: "C.S. wrote: " What's not to love? (Well the dialect was most confusing at times--the only negative in my opinion.)"

Did you see the discussion on the other page where my new translation was menti..."
I did see that. Your book is on my Amazon wish list now.

C.S. wrote: "Though in reading reviews, I noticed some people complained Gibbie is unbelievable and unrealistic because no one is that good..."

I agree with you. I have seen in a couple of author groups people complaining that a character was "too good" to be realistic. In my opinion, I rarely see that being true in modern writing. We are obsessed with anti-heroes who have tons of baggage and hang-ups. When a character is "too good" the book is then marketed for children or called preachy or patronizing. Even in Christian fiction, I have rarely seen a character as good as Gibbie. If Gibbie had no troubles or hardships, then his goodness would have left us with no story. Instead, Gibbie is good when most people would not be, but still in a very human way. His faith and goodness are kind of like his superpower or his hero quality. I like having a protagonist who I might want to emulate or fashion my life after. We have a world who can't imagine what it is like to be good, have good relationships, or live at peace with those around us. With no examples, they will never be able to imagine what such a life would look like.

I like your comparing Gibbie's goodness with a super power because in one sense it is. His ability to retain that love for his fellow man through the hardships and troubles is what makes the story so special and Gibbie a character worthy of emulation.

C.S. wrote: "I did see that. Your book is on my Amazon wish list now. "

Ok, great, just making sure you didn't miss it. The three translations I've done so far seem to have been helpful to GM readers, judging by the feedback I've had, and the original Scots is retained, so the atmosphere isn't spoiled.

Re. Gibbie's goodness, remember how GM himself addresses the potential objection to it in chapter 8?

"If any one thinks I am unfaithful to human fact, and overcharge the description of this child, I on my side doubt the extent of the experience of that man or woman. I admit the child a rarity, but a rarity in the right direction, and therefore a being with whom humanity has the greater need to be made acquainted. I admit that the best things are the commonest, but the highest types and the best combinations of them are the rarest. There is more love in the world than anything else, for instance; but the best love and the individual in whom love is supreme are the rarest of all things. That for which humanity has the strongest claim upon its workmen, is the representation of its own best; but the loudest demand of the present day is for the representation of that grade of humanity of which men see the most—that type of things which could never have been but that it might pass. The demand marks the commonness, narrowness, low-levelled satisfaction of the age. It loves its own—not that which might be, and ought to be its own—not its better self, infinitely higher than its present, for the sake of whose approach it exists."

David wrote: "C.S. wrote: "I did see that. Your book is on my Amazon wish list now. "

Ok, great, just making sure you didn't miss it. The three translations I've done so far seem to have been helpful to GM read..."

Excellent quote. Thanks for sharing it.

David wrote: "but the loudest demand of the present day is for the representation of that grade of humanity of which men see the most—that type of things which could never have been but that it might pass. The demand marks the commonness, narrowness, low-levelled satisfaction of the age. It loves its own—not that which might be, and ought to be its own—not its better self, infinitely higher than its present, for the sake of whose approach it exists."

How true this is! Since I started this book, I have noticed George MacDonald's observations on humanity is still very true and accurate even today. Good quote.

Thought this might be the best place to post an update about Sir Gibbie's sequel, Donal Grant. We weren't happy with the initial cover for my translation, so we've just updated it to look like a match for the Gibbie translation. The front cover, by artist Carrie Stout, shows "Castle Graham," where Donal finds a job as tutor, and which (not to give too much away) is a sort of equivalent to Jane Eyre's Rochester Hall. The story is a sort of gothic romance and, as the title suggests, takes up Donal's story after his heartbreak in the quarry scene with Ginevra. Donal Grant