This unabridged version of Sir Gibbie is worth wading through the Scots dialect–a challenge even for those familiar with it to some extent. You can skip some of it and still follow the story, but the dialect adds much to the story. And the story is an extremely entertaining and edifying one. I read that this was C.S. Lewis’s favorite Macdonald, and I can see why. Now it’s mine, too. My husband was entranced with just hearing parts of the story. It’s a wonderful story. And then you have Macdonald’s words to make your heart melt or sing or sigh. The humor is delicious when it appears, as in the scene of Gibbie in the doghouse with Oscar, the collie. I finished the book inspired, entertained, and spiritually wiser.
Rating: 5 / 5
Having read & enjoyed Sir Gibbie some time back, I continue to purchase copies to give to friends (young & old) and to try to keep additional copies on our church book table.
Rating: 5 / 5
Relates the tale of Sir Gibbie greatly abridged. Though not nearly as good as the original (but you have to have an ear for heavy Scots dialect to wade through the original – yet it’s worth it) still a good tale. This may be my favorite MacDonald Book (in the original) which simplified for young people is worth 4 stars.
Rating: 4 / 5
The April 22, 2000 and April 26, 2005 reviews are, I think, referring to a different edition. This edition is by Johannesen, who just reprint the original edition. They are referring to edited versions which “dumb down” or make suitable for younger folk the difficulty in some of MacDonald’s writings (i.e. Scotch dialect, brief escapades away from the main story). If you are looking for the unedited version, you have found it. Buy confidently. This is one of my favorites of MacDonald’s books, but then, so many are.
Rating: 5 / 5
#1 by Maggie Jarpey on May 13, 2010 - 8:42 am
This unabridged version of Sir Gibbie is worth wading through the Scots dialect–a challenge even for those familiar with it to some extent. You can skip some of it and still follow the story, but the dialect adds much to the story. And the story is an extremely entertaining and edifying one. I read that this was C.S. Lewis’s favorite Macdonald, and I can see why. Now it’s mine, too. My husband was entranced with just hearing parts of the story. It’s a wonderful story. And then you have Macdonald’s words to make your heart melt or sing or sigh. The humor is delicious when it appears, as in the scene of Gibbie in the doghouse with Oscar, the collie. I finished the book inspired, entertained, and spiritually wiser.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Paul S. Harlan on May 13, 2010 - 11:10 am
Having read & enjoyed Sir Gibbie some time back, I continue to purchase copies to give to friends (young & old) and to try to keep additional copies on our church book table.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Les Thanp Erfect on May 13, 2010 - 11:18 am
Relates the tale of Sir Gibbie greatly abridged. Though not nearly as good as the original (but you have to have an ear for heavy Scots dialect to wade through the original – yet it’s worth it) still a good tale. This may be my favorite MacDonald Book (in the original) which simplified for young people is worth 4 stars.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by Yvonne F. Barrett on May 13, 2010 - 2:04 pm
Discovering Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald has changed my reading habits.
A wonderful story with many spiritual truths. I will be a fan of George MacDonald from now on.
Yvonne Barrett
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by kjmills on May 13, 2010 - 4:03 pm
The April 22, 2000 and April 26, 2005 reviews are, I think, referring to a different edition. This edition is by Johannesen, who just reprint the original edition. They are referring to edited versions which “dumb down” or make suitable for younger folk the difficulty in some of MacDonald’s writings (i.e. Scotch dialect, brief escapades away from the main story). If you are looking for the unedited version, you have found it. Buy confidently. This is one of my favorites of MacDonald’s books, but then, so many are.
Rating: 5 / 5