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The Beyond Trilogy #1
The Garden at the Edge of Beyond
Dedication is to George MacDonald and C. S. Lewis, who paved the way... worthy mentors with broad shoulders
A middle-aged man awakens to a new but present reality, containing neither a before nor an after. Reminiscent of C. S. Lewis and George MacDonald, another thought-provoking story from this bestselling novelist. It is written in 30 chapters with an Afterword and Notes.
Author calls this "a devotional fantasy, not a theological treatise" (p. 154)..."Obviously the germinal idea for The Garden, for those familiar with their works, will be seen to have come from MacDonald's Phantastes and Lilith (the two 'great books' mentioned in chapter 30) and Lewis's The Great Divorce - all first-person death and dream fantasies" (p.155)
Cover illustration by Erin Dertner.
Cover design by the Lookout Design Group.
A middle-aged man awakens to a new but present reality, containing neither a before nor an after. Reminiscent of C. S. Lewis and George MacDonald, another thought-provoking story from this bestselling novelist. It is written in 30 chapters with an Afterword and Notes.
Author calls this "a devotional fantasy, not a theological treatise" (p. 154)..."Obviously the germinal idea for The Garden, for those familiar with their works, will be seen to have come from MacDonald's Phantastes and Lilith (the two 'great books' mentioned in chapter 30) and Lewis's The Great Divorce - all first-person death and dream fantasies" (p.155)
Cover illustration by Erin Dertner.
Cover design by the Lookout Design Group.
158 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1944
42 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Phillips
245 books614 followersLibrarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.
Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 1, 2023
Sometimes you go back and reread a book you loved and can't figure out what you loved about it. This was not one of those times. Even better than I remembered, The Garden at the Edge of Beyond takes you on a journey through a magical world in Michael Phillips' imagination--one where he's met by the authors, preachers, apostles, and other Biblical characters who have made an enormous impact on his spiritual life. There they teach him things he's learned in part or not at all in the process we call sanctification. Phillips has a lovely alternative that only makes sense within the book.
Part spec-fic, part devotional, part exploration of doctrines and what they might mean, Michael Phillips offers, in story form, a glimpse into what could be through what we know is.
Beautiful. I won't wait so long to reread it this time.
Part spec-fic, part devotional, part exploration of doctrines and what they might mean, Michael Phillips offers, in story form, a glimpse into what could be through what we know is.
Beautiful. I won't wait so long to reread it this time.
April 29, 2015
Not the kind of book I'd usually read, but it's extremely well-written and realistic for a "fiction novel". My parents go to a church whose teachings are remarkably similar - if not the same - as those mentioned in the book, though perhaps with different wording or phrasing used.
One of my favorite parts of the book was that how he came to be in The Garden is not mentioned until the end, so that the impact remains not in his "out-of-body experience" but rather in the experience itself.
I also liked how, despite it being classified as fantasy especially, appearances aren't especially important. In most stories, the appearance and identification of an individual, character or otherwise, tend to be described as accurately as possible. In what I've read, the people are given somewhat vague descriptions, but the happenings are given much more explicit detail. I find it remarkable actually, how Phillips doesn't mention any names or unnecessary titles, yet still writes in a way that tells you exactly who it is.
On another note, the layout of the book as well is rather unique compared to most books I have read. In the copy I own at the very least, the ink is a lovely shade of purple, the text style fancy but not unreadable or terribly difficult on the eyes. It's small, and somewhat notebook-like, but fitting when you consider the nature of the story within.
I think the main reason I was so drawn to this book is perhaps a recurring dream I had when I was younger. Though difficult to recall now, the descriptions of The Garden are almost eerily the same as the garden I remember in that dream. Coincidence or not, it gave me the chills and an entirely different take on it. (Though calling it a dream is just to give a shorter explanation, seeing as I don't know if I should even call it that.)
One of my favorite parts of the book was that how he came to be in The Garden is not mentioned until the end, so that the impact remains not in his "out-of-body experience" but rather in the experience itself.
I also liked how, despite it being classified as fantasy especially, appearances aren't especially important. In most stories, the appearance and identification of an individual, character or otherwise, tend to be described as accurately as possible. In what I've read, the people are given somewhat vague descriptions, but the happenings are given much more explicit detail. I find it remarkable actually, how Phillips doesn't mention any names or unnecessary titles, yet still writes in a way that tells you exactly who it is.
On another note, the layout of the book as well is rather unique compared to most books I have read. In the copy I own at the very least, the ink is a lovely shade of purple, the text style fancy but not unreadable or terribly difficult on the eyes. It's small, and somewhat notebook-like, but fitting when you consider the nature of the story within.
I think the main reason I was so drawn to this book is perhaps a recurring dream I had when I was younger. Though difficult to recall now, the descriptions of The Garden are almost eerily the same as the garden I remember in that dream. Coincidence or not, it gave me the chills and an entirely different take on it. (Though calling it a dream is just to give a shorter explanation, seeing as I don't know if I should even call it that.)
September 4, 2007
This is one of those books where a person goes on a journey (in this case through heaven) which enables the author to present some philosophical ideas about life and death. Heaven here takes the form of a garden (though it is explained that it isn't that way for everyone) and our journeyman is guided through it by several mentors--such as C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, etc. that meant a lot to him in his spiritual journey on earth. Several of these scenes were the most memorable of the book, like him walking through a rolling field where the land was moving like waves--a scene remniscent of C.S. Lewis' space adventures.[return]I enjoyed most of the lessons presented, but this kind of fiction blended with sermonizing isn't something to read for pure pleasure. More as a different way to learn. Phillips points to several other authors as the source of his ideas, and the book can open up a desire to exlore there ideas. It is also only a brief summary of concepts that require more exploration.
August 24, 2013
Beautiful book I love to read over and over.
January 18, 2016
This is an interesting story as Michael Phillips imagines heaven. I've enjoyed Michael Phillips' retelling of various George MacDonald books. This book involves some interesting lessons that Phillips learns from his literary mentors, and the style is told in interesting garden parallels. While I would agree with the truth of the lessons, and agree that belief is just the first part of the journey, I do not agree that these lessons must be learned before someone is admitted into heaven. Just belief. But of course, innermost belief does change our actions. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16
June 18, 2010
Definitely one of his weakest books.
October 26, 2011
Very good message.
September 7, 2012
I really loved this great little book about our Christian walk. I highly recommend it to all who want to be closer to Jesus.
March 23, 2014
quick read and insightful
June 25, 2018
Very thought-provoking story of an afterlife.
November 7, 2019
Thank you, Michael Phillips!
In all ages, prophets are given into the times to proclaim and draw us back to truth that has been lost or covered up. George MacDonald was such a prophet emphasizing the Father love of God for ALL His children. No wonder that Michael Phillips being steeped in GM’s thoughts much of the work of his lifetime should be a prophet of our time expressing the same truth GM expressed of God in his own works. This book is a wonderful expression of truths written by GM, and C S Lewis in Michael Phillip’s own creative methods of storytelling. Appropriately condensed and expressed in a more simple and straightforward, yet fully retaining the beautiful, language for our modern times. Fans of GM and CSL will recognize their truths passed on in this book. Many are with footnotes. It is a book both delightful, wonder-filled and eye-opening and encouraging to anyone who seeks growth in their soul. Like the mentors before him, Michael Phillips uses his imagination to speak freshly in new language eternal truth in his many books that can be understood and more importantly lived in our day. Thanks again, Michael Phillips along with CSL, Dan Hamilton and David Jack for keeping GM alive today. We owe you a great debt, too.
In all ages, prophets are given into the times to proclaim and draw us back to truth that has been lost or covered up. George MacDonald was such a prophet emphasizing the Father love of God for ALL His children. No wonder that Michael Phillips being steeped in GM’s thoughts much of the work of his lifetime should be a prophet of our time expressing the same truth GM expressed of God in his own works. This book is a wonderful expression of truths written by GM, and C S Lewis in Michael Phillip’s own creative methods of storytelling. Appropriately condensed and expressed in a more simple and straightforward, yet fully retaining the beautiful, language for our modern times. Fans of GM and CSL will recognize their truths passed on in this book. Many are with footnotes. It is a book both delightful, wonder-filled and eye-opening and encouraging to anyone who seeks growth in their soul. Like the mentors before him, Michael Phillips uses his imagination to speak freshly in new language eternal truth in his many books that can be understood and more importantly lived in our day. Thanks again, Michael Phillips along with CSL, Dan Hamilton and David Jack for keeping GM alive today. We owe you a great debt, too.
January 9, 2019
The Garden at the Edge of Beyond, by Michael Phillips.
Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!
This little book is so great. It is so beautiful and so full of Truth that I find it hard to believe it is merely fantasty (regardless of what the author says in the Afterward!)
I highly recommend that every Truth Seeker add this to their library and absorb it with reckless abandon. Everything mirrors Scripture, and I could not stop smiling!
Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!
This little book is so great. It is so beautiful and so full of Truth that I find it hard to believe it is merely fantasty (regardless of what the author says in the Afterward!)
I highly recommend that every Truth Seeker add this to their library and absorb it with reckless abandon. Everything mirrors Scripture, and I could not stop smiling!
May 8, 2021
Engaging, entertaining and edifying...
I love Michael Phillips' ability to "paint word pictures", to draw me in to the conversations between characters, leaving me to figure out which historical figure or fictional characters are involved. Delightful, inspiring, challenging and engendering faith, hope and love. Thank you, Michael.
I love Michael Phillips' ability to "paint word pictures", to draw me in to the conversations between characters, leaving me to figure out which historical figure or fictional characters are involved. Delightful, inspiring, challenging and engendering faith, hope and love. Thank you, Michael.
December 15, 2018
This is the first book by Michael Phillips I have ever read. It will certainly not be the last! I was thoroughly engrossed in this work, and the references have lead me on a quest to learn more about them.
November 27, 2020
I enjoyed reading this imaginative and lyrical devotional fantasy about the concepts of Self and Relinquishment.
August 12, 2021
Wow, what a gem!
Never in my life have I read a book so simple and profound. The truths within are true gems. The book was amazing in teaching the truth of Gods Word.
Never in my life have I read a book so simple and profound. The truths within are true gems. The book was amazing in teaching the truth of Gods Word.
March 28, 2022
A well written book, but not exactly what I was looking for. People who enjoy mitch albums 5 people you meet in heaven would enjoy this book!
April 10, 2022
GOD IS GOOD
As always Mr Phillips puts out a great book. The characters are superb and his style and plot are very good. Thanks for another good book.
As always Mr Phillips puts out a great book. The characters are superb and his style and plot are very good. Thanks for another good book.
November 23, 2016
Read twice in 2016
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews