Malcolm + The Marquise's Secret

"Malcolm; or The Fisherman's Lady" tells the story of a poor fisherman Malcolm MacPhail. Young man is raised by his grandfather and discovers that he has noble origins and that he is actually the true son of the Marquise of Lossie. He manages to find employment in the castle and gains the mad laird's trust. Step by step he is entering the new world and introducing the life that was taken from him in the first place. The Marquis' Secret completes the story of Malcolm, a young fisherman set to become new Marquise of Lossie. Malcolm decides to hide his true identity, so he can help his sister who got herself under some very bad influences in London. He reveals the truth about his origins to her and goes on to take his position as a marquis. George MacDonald (1824-1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll. His writings have been cited as a major literary influence by many notable authors including W. H. Auden, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Walter de la Mare, E. Nesbit and Madeleine L'Engle. G. K. Chesterton cited The Princess and the Goblin as a book that had "made a difference to my whole existence". MacDonald has been credited with founding the "kailyard school" of Scottish writing.

George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a pioneering figure in the field of fantasy literature and a mentor to fellow writer Lewis Carroll. His influence can be seen in the works of later authors like C.S. Lewis, who regarded MacDonald as his spiritual master. MacDonald's writings merge his deeply held Christian beliefs with his rich imagination, resulting in narratives infused with profound allegorical elements and mythopoeic qualities. In his novel 'Malcolm' (1875), MacDonald explores themes of social injustice and redemption, following the journey of the eponymous character who is a young Scottish fisherman. This novel, along with its sequel 'The Marquis's Secret' (1877), illustrates MacDonald's skill in creating characters that are multifaceted and his ability to convey philosophical and spiritual insights through storytelling. His literary style is characterized by a blending of the fantastical and the moral, crafted in prose that is both evocative and lyrical. MacDonald's contribution to literature extends beyond his role as a storyteller; his work also includes poetry and sermons that reflect his theological insights and his capacity to address the existential questions of his time. Despite being a Victorian author, MacDonald's work has endured, continuing to resonate with and inspire readers and writers through the present day.