Introduction


George MacDonald
Although highly regarded as a children’s writer, George MacDonald denied writing for kids. Instead, MacDonald wrote for the “childlike,” and that distinction partly accounts for the sophistication of his fantasy literature. The Scotsman’s work is also noted for its religious bent, attributable to MacDonald’s extensive background in theology. Whether writing feature-length novels or short fairy stories, MacDonald imbued all of his work with a sense of magic and wonder. The breadth of his writing is exemplified by two of his most beloved titles: The Princess and the Goblin, a fantasy story for children; and Phantastes, which skewed more toward MacDonald’s equally avid adult audience.

Essential Facts

  1. Though raised as a Calvinist, MacDonald disagreed with some of its key tenets. This resistance would manifest itself in some of his later writings.
  2. Among the many writers influenced by MacDonald was his personal friend Lewis Carroll. MacDonald is credited with encouraging Carroll in the writing of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
  3. Another one of MacDonald’s “disciples” was C. S. Lewis (also a writer of fantasy with a Christian perspective). Lewis was so fond of MacDonald’s work that he made MacDonald a character in one of his books.
  4. In addition to his writing, MacDonald also served as a minister. One of the key areas in which he differed from his more stringent upbringing was on the punitive nature of God.
  5. MacDonald’s impact is summed up in one of his best-known quotes: “The best thing you can do for your fellow, next to rousing his conscience, is—not to give him things to think about, but to wake things up that are in him; or say, to make him think things for himself.”