Robert Falconer

Book excerpt: The story of a boy’s spiritual transformation in the shadow of the Scottish Highlands—from the 19th-century author of David Elginbrod. In George MacDonald’s most well-known novel, published in 1868, the quest of young Robert Falconer for his father becomes a parallel quest to break free from the oppressive Calvinist theology of his grandmother. As he struggles to come to terms with the strict orthodoxy prevalent in Scotland for two centuries, the doctrine of hell looms as the great stumbling block in Robert’s mind. His lifelong search reveals to Robert the groundbreaking truth that hell is remedial not punitive, designed to produce ultimate repentance not everlasting punishment. This highly autobiographical work offers a rare glimpse into MacDonald’s own youthful quandaries, and a window into the development of his faith, which would turn generations toward the Fatherhood of a loving God. After the book’s publication, as a result of the bold themes running through the narrative, MacDonald came to be considered a “universalist” and “heretic” in some circles—grievous mischaracterizations that persist to this day. This new edition by MacDonald biographer Michael Phillips streamlines the occasionally ponderous Victorian narrative style and updates the thick Doric brogue into readable English.