Also by this author: Every Leaf, Line, and Letter: Evangelicals and the Bible from the 1730s to the Present, Every Leaf, Line, and Letter: Evangelicals and the Bible from the 1730s to the Present, Twelve Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales
Published by IVP Academic on June 25, 2024
Genres: Academic, Non-Fiction, Christian Life
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"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
George MacDonald was a pastor and prolific writer who lived in Scotland in the nineteenth century. He published nonfiction, novels, and poetry, and Diary of an Old Soul is a lengthy poem that MacDonald originally self-published as a gift to his friends. He designed the poem for people to read one stanza a day over the course of a year, and he published the original edition with a blank page opposite each page of poetry, so that people could use the book as a diary and jot down their own thoughts and reflections opposite that day’s reading. This new edition honors MacDonald’s original intent and includes blank pages along with the poem.
The book begins with an informative but concise introduction. Introductions in books like these sometimes become long-winded, academic rambles, but this one is clear and helpful, providing background information and direction to help modern readers best understand and appreciate this classic book. Historian Timothy Larsen provides social and historical context for MacDonald’s life, the poem itself, and devotional poetry as a genre, and highlights some of the main themes that appear throughout the poem.
The poem itself is elegant and meaningful, with deep reflections on the author’s relationship with God, various life challenges, and the comfort found in Jesus. Although the poem can be difficult for modern people to read because of the old-fashioned language and style, this edition includes helpful annotations to explain unfamiliar concepts and define unusual words, especially when the meaning of a word has changed over time. I grew up reading a lot of nineteenth-century books, which makes it much easier for me to read the writing style, but I think it is doable for anyone who wants to put in the effort to enter another time and frame of mind.
Diary of an Old Soul: Annotated Edition is a lovely edition of a classic book. This will appeal to fans of George MacDonald’s work, and to people who enjoy classic poetry. This edition is unique because of the helpful introduction and annotations that it offers, and because it prints the poem across from blank pages, just as the author originally intended. The book is also very aesthetically pleasing, with a sturdy, cloth-bound cover, thick pages, and a ribbon bookmark. Overall, I am impressed with this and would recommend it.