The Wise Woman

Very poorly reproduced. The publisher fails to edit or show any attention to detail at all. The book is interspersed with ALL CAPS chapter titles and Book Title placed arbitratrily in the middle of the text on nearly every page. They won't allow for returns, so be prepared for an embarrassing presentation of a great author and a what was a great book. Do yourself a favor and get a used copy that reflects the greatness of the book and the author. Update: order refunded

This is in my permanent collection of favorites that I return to often and never grow tired! MacDonald worked his usual magic in this double story. This book will make you a kinder, more aware and humble person. Each page serves as a mirror to ones deepest habits and faults. Then he offers you a path to redemption. A must for Christians and atheists... mystics or agnostics. It has something to offer anyone who reads it.

This is one of the most valuable books I've ever read myself and to the children within my sphere of influence. MacDonald, through this charming and deep story, enables the reader (at any age) to realize their own sin nature without ever identifying it as such. He helps us see our profound need for transformation and how that comes about through our surrender and obedient response to Truth. While written by a Christian and grounded in Christian theology (sin-love-redemption-transformation), all readers would benefit practically and be touched deeply by this story without necessarily knowing it is essentially the Good News of Christ.

This book was the first book in a college course called 'Violence and Grace' So true, the title of this course, for the book as well. MacDonald has a magical story-telling ability that impacted the writtings of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, and this is a great book to introduce you to his masterful writtings. If this is the same copy I bought, the artwork is beautifully complimentary as well. I HIGHLY suggest this book to people of EVERY reading ability and personality.

George MacDonald is the type of writer that you can't predict. You never know where he is going to go next. This is the type of book I wish there were more of for my children to read. We got it at the library, but now we're going to buy it and we're giving it to other children as birthday gifts. Books that inspire and entertain at the same time are rare. People don't like his books because he calls a thing what it is and that hits too close to home.

This book's message is the same message of 1 Samuel 16:7 that "man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart". I read it in three days, because it's such an impossible put-down. The best thing is it's surprise ending. You can't go wrong with this book!