Robert Falconer

Robert Falconer is one of the greatest novels by George MacDonald, the man whom C.S. Lewis called his "master." In his preface, translator David Jack writes that Robert Falconer “revolves around a twin-search by the hero: one after the prodigal earthly father whom he barely remembers to have seen, the other in pursuit of a Heavenly Father through the densest of theological fogs engendered by the well-meaning religious instruction of his Calvinist grannie…the odyssey left me spellbound, and here I found the essence of MacDonald’s spiritual vision encapsulated in a soaring work of fiction (soaring like the notes of Robert’s cherished violin): namely that ‘Fatherhood is at the great world’s core.’”MacDonald’s frequent use of Scots in the dialogue of many of his novels has posed a problem for many readers. This breakthrough edition of Robert Falconer presents the complete original text, but places English translations side-by-side with the Scots. It also features an introduction by best-selling author Michael Phillips, the world’s foremost expert on George MacDonald, along with fifteen original illustrations by artist Leighton Isaacs.

George MacDonald (1824-1905), Scottish poet, novelist, and minister, was a mentor to Lewis Carroll, friend of Mark Twain, and inspiration to countless Christians, including Oswald Chambers, Madeleine L’Engle, and C.S. Lewis, who said, “I know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the Spirit of Christ Himself.” G. K. Chesterton wrote, "If we test the matter of originality of attitude, George MacDonald was one of the three or four greatest men of the 19th century."