Sir Gibbie

[Catherine]

It has been many years since I visited with Wee Sir Gibbie. My husband and I just started to read it aloud. Last night we read the first couple of chapters. When I closed the book, my husband said, this is really sad, I thought you enjoyed this book? I remember you and the kids laughing when you read it. I said, yes it is sad but Gibbie is delightful. He is one of my favorite characters in MacDonald's writings. I have read many.

Anyone else fall in love with Sir Gibbie?

[Becca]

Catherine wrote: "It has been many years since I visited with Wee Sir Gibbie. My husband and I just started to read it aloud. Last night we read the first couple of chapters. When I closed the book, my husband said,..."
This edition of Sir Gibbie book was my introduction to MacDonald: Wee Sir Gibbie of the Highlands It's still my favorite of his books, though I haven't read them all yet. Gibbie helped me understand what sacrificial service and love look like in real life. His example is a huge challenge to me!

[Christine]

Catherine wrote: "It has been many years since I visited with Wee Sir Gibbie. My husband and I just started to read it aloud. Last night we read the first couple of chapters. When I closed the book, my husband said,..."

Just finished rereading it myself on July 28! It's such a rich story for an orphan character. As a result of my reread, I'm publishing an essay on MacDonald's view of innate goodness in August over at The Imaginative Conservative too. I'm hoping it will spur more readers to try MacDonald if they haven't!

[David]

I fell in love with Gibbie at the first reading, though I'd say the same of at least three other MacDonald heroes (Donal Grant, Robert Falconer and Malcolm MacPhail.) Gibbie lays hold of the imagination more quickly than the others however, and his muteness, poverty and orphaned state all heighten the attraction, so it's not surprising that SG is the most popular of the Scottish novels. Not that I'd necessarily change that if I could-it's a wonderful story-but I'd strongly encourage those who only know this one to try as many of the others as they can!