Diary of an Old Soul: Annotated Edition

MacDonald, George

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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

Contributor

  • Larsen, Timothy
    Specifications
    • Cover Type
      Hardcover
    • ISBN
      9781514007686
    • Page Count
      296
    • Publisher
      IVP Academic
    • Publication Date
      March 2024

    Endorsements (3)

    “This beautifully edited and annotated edition of George MacDonald's Diary of an Old Soul is not only a gift to MacDonald scholars and enthusiasts but also a gift to the world and to the church. Diary of an Old Soul can sit on your bedside reading table as an old friend and companion, something to dip in and out of, to look up the poem for the particular day you take up the book: you will always be challenged, inspired, and ultimately nourished. But Larsen shows that this book offers so much more. It is an inner journal of the hard road of sanctification, the journey all mystics take through purgation, to illumination, and finally to blissful union with the God who loves us and is always enabling our love in return. For those who don't yet know the Diary, this book is the perfect introduction and companion for your journey with MacDonald. For those who do, be prepared to look at an old friend with new eyes and new depths of appreciation.”

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    Malcolm Guite

    president of the George MacDonald Society

    “Through verses that aim to purge readers' selfishness, illuminate life's struggles through the light of Christ, and unite the soul to the sometimes-puzzling will of God, George MacDonald's daily poems in Diary of an Old Soul cultivate a posture of surrender. In the introduction to this annotated IVP edition, Timothy Larsen is a masterful teacher and storyteller, orienting readers to both poetry and the devotional practices of Victorians. Through the text, Larsen's helpful footnotes expand on MacDonald's biography, biblical allusions, and key aspects of Victorian culture. For those new to MacDonald's work or long acquainted with his writings, this edition is edifying and educational, as all good reading should be!”

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    Jessica Ann Hughes

    associate professor of English at George Fox University and author of Jesus in the Victorian Novel

    “George MacDonald writes as a human being who hungers and thirsts for God. The love of God is not a luxury but a primal need. These exquisite poems are an ideal companion for those seeking to come more fully alive to the ache, ecstasy, and urgency of this most basic of longings.”

    See All
    Han-luen Kantzer Komline

    professor of church history and theology at Western Theological Seminary and author of Augustine on the Will

    About the Author

    George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and preacher. He published some fifty volumes of novels, poetry, short stories, fantasy, sermons, and essays.
    Diary of an Old Soul: Annotated Edition - MacDonald, George - 9781514007686
    InterVarsity Press

    Diary of an Old Soul: Annotated Edition

    $29.99 $30.00

    "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.


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    • Hardcover

    pack

    • Single
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