Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
15th out of 19 books
—
5 voters
The Curate's Awakening
A young minister's honest search to discover the truth of Christianity.
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
September 1st 1985
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published 1876)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
752)
Forgot i had this, found it on a pile, decided to try first 10 pages or so and then chuck book if no good, because this is EDITED George MacDonald (author of 'Phantasies', 'At the Back of the North Wind', & 'The princess and the goblin' to name a few). Normally this would have been a two tome 19th century behemoth, with A LOT of extra words. But i gave it a go, and read the whole darn thing in a day and a half. I did not expect a murder in it, I did not expect a whole mountainside's worth of...more
Reader beware, this novel may produce unexpected consequences in your spiritual life, consequences that might be difficult if not impossible to shake off.
For one, St Paul's words, "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.", may take on a whole new meaning for you. For another, you may begin to wonder if human suffering might be the very best way for a loving Father to respond for the greatest good of his children. And you may also find relief coming to realize that honest dou...more
For one, St Paul's words, "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.", may take on a whole new meaning for you. For another, you may begin to wonder if human suffering might be the very best way for a loving Father to respond for the greatest good of his children. And you may also find relief coming to realize that honest dou...more
If you love Christianity and want to read about a man's search for truth, this is the book for you. Beautiful writing by a very gifted author that we don't read enough of. I came to love the main character, Thomas Wingfold, feel pity for the antagonist (if you can call him that--it's complicated) George Bascome, and root for the budding romance between Helen and Thomas just as much as I've ever rooted for my favorite chick-flick couples. MacDonald infuses his prose with lovely poetry, and though...more
As regards story and characters, I found this book disappointing. The people seemed a little cardboard-y, not really human to me. The story was kind of trite and took too long to evolve. I was pretty glad when the book was done. It wasn't a one star-er though. Many of the monologues, while overly long, were quite thought provoking. It made me think I would probably have enjoyed this man's non-fiction work quite a bit--more so than his "romance" as it was here. I'm not turned off the author--I th...more
If you are in for an edge-of-your seat story, you will not find it in this book. However, if you are in for thought provoking theology and a journey through doubt into faith, you will likely not find anything quite like this read to suit your desire. George MacDonald presents the story of a young preacher who, after a conversation with an atheist, finds himself questioning the beliefs he has taken for granted every week in the pulpit. Through the tutoring of an honest and wise friend, and throug...more
C.S. Lewis once said that he has never written a page that did not bear the marks of George MacDonald. The Curate's Awakening is the first in a series beginning with the fictional life of Thomas Wingfold, dutiful but lifeless curate in the Church of England and the transformation that occurs in his life.
I was a little embarrassed to be seen carrying around a book entitled The Curate's Awakening--Bethany House retitled George MacDonald's fiction works when they republished them in the 80s--but I really enjoyed and benefited from this book.
view 1 comment
I usually don't give five stars to a book, but this story was truly amazing. It follows the life of Thomas Wingfold a young country curate, as well as a few other secondary characters in their transformations of character. There was quite a bit of philosophizing between the various intellectuals. At times I felt as if I were in the middle of Dostoevsky's, "Brothers Karamazov."
MacDonald can have a didactic style of writing, but usually his characters are sophisticated enough to pull off what the...more
MacDonald can have a didactic style of writing, but usually his characters are sophisticated enough to pull off what the...more
I like how Christian it is. The steps and confusion this man feels reminds me of the struggles other people go through and the journey it takes to follow God and understand Him.
Those who have struggled with a belief in God will love this book. MacDonald has an authentic approach to really believing in God.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this book. George MacDonald was a favorite author of C.S. Lewis and now I understand why. So far in my reading, MacDonald has done a clever job describing the belief systems of both atheists and agnostics, to include a pastor (curate) who has been following the motions of mere religion without genuine faith.
We are studying this in our church Bible class. I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own, but it was very good.
I appreciate so much the beautiful wording and thoughtfully expressed truths in this rich novel.
I read this one years ago and I still think about it sometimes. REALLY good!
Love George MacDonald for great Christian fiction with depth.
This book was amazing beyond words. It was difficult to read at times, because of the style it was written in, but well worth it. This book has a companion to it; "Paul Faber, Surgeon" which I plan on reading soon.
Good.
George MacDonald has written some good stuff. I don't think I've read any Christian fiction that is as deep AND enjoyable as either Thomas Wingfold or What's Mine's Mine.
The covers the publisher puts on G.M.'s books are really cheesy, as an aside. The content of the novel is great. Much more meaty than others of his books, except for The Musician's Quest. This book, like the latter, deals with tough faith issues as a preacher comes to know Jesus for real.
Great book. I think I might give everything a four. I am easily persauded that something is really good. But this book is really good.
I would recommend this book to anyone questioning what they believe and why.
at that point in my life it was very formative in my spiritual life
Loved this book. Need another MacDonald fix!!
I love everything by George MacDonald.
YA Mac
Merged review:
YA Mac
Merged review:
YA Mac
MacDonald, George PB
Suspenseful story with wonderful characters. A lot of wisdom, too.
Jun 17, 2013
Fen Taylor
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister.
Known particularly for his poignant fairy tales and fantasy novels, George MacDonald inspired many authors, such as W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Madeleine L'Engle. It was C.S. Lewis that wrote that he regarded MacDonald as his "master": "Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, I be...more
More about George MacDonald...
Known particularly for his poignant fairy tales and fantasy novels, George MacDonald inspired many authors, such as W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Madeleine L'Engle. It was C.S. Lewis that wrote that he regarded MacDonald as his "master": "Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, I be...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Life eternal, this lady of thine hath a sore heart, and we cannot help her. Thou art help, O Mighty Love. Speak to her, and let her know thy will, and give her strength to do it, O Father of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
—
3 people liked it
“Trust is born in love, and our need is to love God, not apprehend
facts concerning him.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
facts concerning him.”
