Books Mentioned in this Post
By George! (Or Not?): A List of George MacDonald’s Novels and Their Abridgements
The large-scale abridging of George MacDonald’s novels in the 1980s and 1990s has led to much confusion, leaving many readers unsure which books MacDonald wrote himself, and which have been drastically altered. To ensure that you’re reading the same original texts read by C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Elisabeth Elliot et al., see our handy guide below, with MacDonald’s originals on the left and the modern abridgements on the right.
SCOTTISH NOVELS
Due to MacDonald’s use of broad Scots dialogue, The Room to Roam’s editions are translated where necessary; but they are, in every case, the complete texts read by his heirs. New readers may wish to know the particular favourites of C. S. Lewis (Sir Gibbie and What’s Mine’s Mine), G. K. Chesterton (Alec Forbes of Howglen) and Elisabeth Elliot (Salted With Fire and Sir Gibbie). Some of MacDonald’s best characterisation, according to Lewis, is in his spiritual masterpiece Robert Falconer.
| ORIGINALS | ABRIDGEMENTS |
|---|---|
| David Elginbrod | The Tutor’s First Love |
| Alec Forbes of Howglen | The Maiden’s Bequest |
| Robert Falconer | The Musician’s Quest |
| Malcolm | The Fisherman’s Lady |
| The Marquis of Lossie | The Marquis’ Secret |
| Sir Gibbie | The Baronet’s Song |
| Castle Warlock | The Laird’s Inheritance |
| Donal Grant | The Shepherd’s Castle |
| What’s Mine’s Mine | The Highlander’s Last Song |
| The Elect Lady | The Landlady’s Master |
| Heather and Snow | The Peasant Girl’s Dream |
| Salted With Fire | The Minister’s Restoration |
ENGLISH NOVELS
As indicated below, there are no well-known abridgements of the English novels Wilfrid Cumbermede (a favourite of C.S. Lewis, along with Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood) or Adela Cathcart.* The abridgements of The Seaboard Parish, The Vicar’s Daughter, and The Flight of the Shadow retain their original titles.
| ORIGINALS | ABRIDGEMENTS |
|---|---|
| Adela Cathcart | — |
| Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood | A Quiet Neighborhood |
| Guild Court | The Prodigal Apprentice |
| The Seaboard Parish | The Seaboard Parish |
| Wilfrid Cumbermede | — |
| The Vicar’s Daughter | The Vicar’s Daughter |
| St. George and St. Michael | The Last Castle |
| Thomas Wingfold, Curate | The Curate’s Awakening |
| Paul Faber, Surgeon | The Lady’s Confession |
| Mary Marston | A Daughter’s Devotion |
| Weighed and Wanting | The Gentlewoman’s Choice |
| Home Again | The Poet’s Homecoming |
| There and Back | The Baron’s Apprenticeship |
| The Flight of the Shadow | The Flight of the Shadow |
*That is, not as well-known as the late 20th century editions. Many 21st century abridgements (of both Scottish and English novels) keep the original titles, so it is well to check each book or series to see if editing is mentioned.
NOVELLAS & CHILDREN’S NOVELS
A few of the adult novels, such as Sir Gibbie and Alec Forbes of Howglen, were condensed yet further and those extra-edited editions (“Wee Sir Gibbie of the Highlands” and “Alec Forbes and His Friend Annie”) were marketed as children’s fiction. But MacDonald’s original children’s novels have also been abridged, as has his novella The Portent. To ensure that you have the authentic versions of this quartet, see the side-by-side list below.
| ORIGINALS | ABRIDGEMENTS |
|---|---|
| Ranald Bannerman’s Boyhood | The Boyhood of Ranald Bannerman |
| Gutta-Percha Willie | The Genius of Willie MacMichael |
| A Rough Shaking | The Wanderings of Clare Skymer |
| The Portent | The Lady of the Mansion |
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