Diary of an Old Soul - by George MacDonald (Hardcover)

About the Book

In 1880, George MacDonald self-published a long poem in book form--seven-line stanzas for each day of the year expressing his longings, struggles, and joys in everyday life. Now in this deluxe edition, the complete text of MacDonald's classic devotional resource is available with blank journaling pages and new annotations by Timothy Larsen.

Book Synopsis

"Be thou the well by which I lie and rest;
Be thou my tree of life, my garden ground;
Be thou my home, my fire, my chamber blest,
My book of wisdom, loved of all the best;
Oh, be my friend, each day still newer found,
As the eternal days and nights go round!
Nay, nay--thou art my God, in whom all loves are bound!"

In 1880, the prolific author George MacDonald self-published a long poem in book form as a gift for his friends. He called it, in full, A Book of Strife in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul. It contained a new seven-line stanza for each day of the calendar year, written as prayers expressing MacDonald's longings, struggles, and joys in everyday life.

The Diary was originally printed with a blank page facing every page of poetry so that readers could supplement MacDonald's diary with their own. This feature in particular, along with the spiritual wisdom and literary artistry of the text itself, was beloved by C. S. Lewis, who gave a copy of the book to his future wife, Joy Davidman, as a Christmas gift in 1952.

Now in this deluxe edition, MacDonald's classic devotional resource is again available with the blank pages he envisioned alongside the complete text. With a new introduction and explanatory notes by historian Timothy Larsen, the beloved writer's prayers find new life for enthusiasts and first-time readers alike.

• Complete text of MacDonald's classic work--one poem for each day of the year
• Thoughtful layout with a blank page for journaling opposite each poem
• Introduction and annotations by historian Timothy Larsen
• Deluxe features including cloth binding and bookmark ribbon

Review Quotes

"I had not read of Diary of an Old Soul prior to Timothy Larsen's introduction in this text. With Larsen's guidance, I read and met a soul on fire for God. Readers beware. As Larsen notes, 'It can be an unsettling thing to encounter someone whose deepest desire really is to be in complete communion with God.' This is not an easy book; its original title included the words 'A Book of Strife.' Like the sayings of the desert fathers, the poems in this book are meant to be slowly and repeatedly reflected on. Read, reflect, and receive medicine for your soul."

About the Author

George MacDonald (1824-1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and preacher. He published some fifty volumes of novels, poetry, short stories, fantasy, sermons, and essays.

Timothy Larsen (PhD, University of Stirling; DD, University of Edinburgh) is McManis Professor of Christian Thought at Wheaton College. His many books include George MacDonald in the Age of Miracles, Crisis of Doubt: Honest Faith in Nineteenth-Century England, and The Oxford Handbook of Christmas.