It's time for another Inkling Explorations Link-up over at Heidi's blog, Sharing the Journey. The subject for this month is: A description of a lady in literature.
I've selected a portion from The Fisherman's Lady by George MacDonald.
The glow of a young summer morning pervaded earth
and sky and sea, and swelled the heart of the youth as he stood in unconscious
bewilderment before the self-possession of the girl. She was younger than he and knew far less
that was worth knowing. Yet she had a
world of advantage over him--not merely from the effect of her presence on one
who had never seen anything so beautiful, but also from the readiness of
surface thought and polish of her speech which gave her an assurance of
superiority over the man she now favored with her passing conversation. As to her personal appearance, the lad might
well have taken her for twenty; for she looked more like a grown woman than he,
strongly built and tall though he was, looked like a man. She was rather tall, slender, finely formed,
with small hands and feet. Her hair was
of a dark brown, her eyes of such a blue that no one could have suggested gray,
and her complexion was fair--a little freckled which gave it the warmest tint
it had.
Have you ever read any books by George MacDonald?
Nice choice. I have read many books by George MacDonald. :)
ReplyDeleteCool! Do you have a favorite one? I think The Fisherman's Lady and The Marquis Secret are my two favorites. :)
DeleteI've never read this, but it sounds lovely! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, it is! There's a sequel, too, called The Marquis Secret. You should look them up sometime! :)
DeleteThat's a beautiful description!
ReplyDeleteI've read three of George MacDonald's books: The Princess and the Goblin, the Princes and Curdie, and At the Back of the North Wind. Those are the only ones I've gotten my hands on. :) Have you read a lot of them?
Oh! The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie are SUCH good books! I really need to read them again. :)
DeleteYes, I've read quite a few of George MacDonald's books. The three you mentioned are some of his children's books (my dad read them to my siblings and I when we were younger). The Fisherman's Lady, however, is an edited version of one of his adult books. It was edited because the original book was very long and also had a lot of the Scottish dialect in it, which would have been totally confusing for most of us. There's a whole slew of George MacDonald books which have been edited in this way, and I've read about ten of them, I think. The Fisherman's Lady and it's sequel (The Marquis' Secret) are my two favorites, though. :)
Cool! I read the three I did a few years ago because the library had them. I don't know if they have any more of them.
DeleteYeah, they might be rather difficult to find. Our library has them, but I wouldn't be surprised if other libraries didn't. (Silly libraries. Heehee.)
DeleteI've never read this, but maybe I should! It sounds pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, yes! You really should read it sometime, Rosie! It's an excellent book. And there's a sequel, too, which is equally good. Let me know if you ever read it, because I'd love to know what you think of it. :)
DeleteVery evocative! I like that he saves the physical description for last, first giving us an idea of how she acted. Intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought about it that way, but that's very true. Excellent point, Hamlette. And I'm glad you found it intriguing. :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful and intriguing selection!! This is now promptly going on my TBR list. (That is... does it end happily?? If so it'll bump up even higher on the list... ;))
ReplyDeleteLet's see, I know MacDonald wrote a staggering amount. So far I've read At the Back of the North Wind (a long time ago) and then The Light Princess (more recently and which I quite enjoyed). Someone was also recommending The Princess and the Goblins, but I haven't read that one yet. I think that's actually all so far... Have you read a lot of his?
Oh yes, don't worry, it definitely has a happy ending! Only, you really need to read the sequel, too, if you want to get the complete story. Both books are excellent. (The sequel, by the way, is called 'The Marquis' Secret')
DeleteOh! 'The Princess and the Goblin' is a really good book! You should definitely read that one sometime. (It has a sequel, too. ;)) Well, I'm not sure what would be considered a lot, but aside from his children's books I've probably read a good ten or so.
Ohh, this is so beautiful! I have never read a MacDonald book, but now I want to. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, I'm glad you think so, 'cause this is one of my favorite books. :) And I hope you do get to read George MacDonald sometime. He's written some excellent stories.
DeleteThis is very lovely. Unfortunately, it would seem, I have not read or even heard of George MacDonald or his work. It appears that I will have to rectify this right away!! :D Is "The Fisherman's Lady" a good one to start with? I think I should start compiling my summer reading now. I have read so many good suggestions from blogs! Haha.
ReplyDeleteOh, and this will make you happy, I have started "Nicholas Nickleby". Sadly, I haven't had much reading time, (so I'm only three chapters in), but I have started! :D
~Cordy
Yes, "The Fisherman's Lady" would definitely be a good one to start with. I think that's the first one I read...at least of George MacDonald's adult novels. (I'd heard some of his children's books when I was younger because my dad read them to us.) Anyway, I really hope you can read it sometime because it's one of my favorite books and I'd love to know what you think of it. (There's a sequel, too, called "The Marquis Secret". You kind of have to read both if you want to get the complete story.)
DeleteOoh! You're reading Nicholas Nickleby? What fun! I LOVE that book! Is this the first time you've read it? You must tell me what you thought of it when you're finished with it. :D
Thanks for the lovely comment, Cordy!
~Miss March
*sniffling sob* my library doesn't have the Fisherman's Lady. :'( I will have to put it on my wish list and see what happens. *sigh*
DeleteI will be sure to let you know when I've finished because it is the first time I've read it! It was about time for me to read a Dickens and the I remembered how you liked NN so I chose that one! :D
~Cordy
Oh, that's such a disappointment! "Why, library, WHY??" :(
DeleteAww. I feel honored that you chose to read NN because I said I liked it. :) I hope you really enjoy it! :D
~Miss March
"of such a blue that no one could have suggested gray". I love that! I have only read George MacDonald's childrens stories, but now look forward to looking this one up. Lovely description!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you can read it sometime! It's an excellent story!! :D Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThis is beautiful! Goodness; it sounds adorable and inspiring at the same time ;)
ReplyDeleteOh! It is! An absolutely wonderful book. You really should read it sometime if you get the chance. I think you would like it. :)
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