Other editions of book Sir Gibbie

Sir Gibbie is a “rags-to-riches” adventure novel by George MacDonald, renowned Christian author, about honesty and altruism which comes in many different forms. MacDonald, known for his unique, yet masterful storytelling through fantasy and fairy tale while including Christian faith and morality in lessons that are easily understood by children. His entertaining, but thoughtful work in theology and philosophy has led him to influence other great literary figures of the 19th century, including C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and Lewis Carroll.Sir Gibbie tells the tale of a motherless child raised only by his abusive, alcoholic father, and knows the harrow and hardship of living a destitute life. Gibbie, who does not know how to read or write, must rely on the kindness of others as he prowls the streets of 19th century Scotland. After witnessing a murder, he flees to the country where he meets new friends and finds new experiences. With his self-sacrificing nature, he touches the hearts of many, who cannot help but be inspired by his perseverance.While Sir Gibbie is a heart wrenching, forthright account of how cruel the world can be, it is also an uplifting story that teaches both young and old that, if they hold steadfast to hope, they will find mercy. With a complex cast of characters, deep social commentary, and religious subtext, Sir Gibbie is a coming of age story that will make you believe that you are capable of anything.

"Come oot o' the gutter, ye nickum!" cried, in harsh, half-masculine voice, a woman standing on the curbstone of a short, narrow, dirty lane, at right angles to an important thoroughfare, itself none of the widest or cleanest. She was dressed in dark petticoat and print wrapper. One of her shoes was down at the heel, and discovered a great hole in her stocking. Had her black hair been brushed and displayed, it would have revealed a thready glitter of grey, but all that was now visible of it was only two or three untidy tresses that dropped from under a cap of black net and green ribbons, which looked as if she had slept in it. Her face must have been handsome when it was young and fresh; but was now beginning to look tattooed, though whether the colour was from without or from within, it would have been hard to determine. Her black eyes looked resolute, almost fierce, above her straight, well-formed nose. Yet evidently circumstance clave fast to her. She had never risen above it, and was now plainly subjected to it.

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1880. Excerpt: ... taught her well. Her music was old-fashioned of course; but I have a fancy that perhaps the older the music one learns first, the better; for the deeper is thereby the rooting of that which will have the atmosphere of the age to blossom in. But then to every lover of the truth, a true thing is dearer because it is old-fashioned, and dearer because it is new-fashioned; and true music, like true love, like all truth, laughs at the god Fashion, because it knows him to be but an ape. Every day, then, except Saturday and Sunday, Miss Machar had for two years been in the habit of walking or driving to Glashruach, and there spending the morning hours; but of late her father had been ailing, and as he was so old that she could not without anxiety leave him when suffering from the smallest indisposition, she had found herself compelled either to give up teaching Ginevra, or to ask Mr. Galbraith to allow her to go, when such occasion should render it necessary, to the manse. She did the latter; the laird had consented; and thence arose the duty required of Nicie. Mr. Machar's health did not improve as the spring advanced, and by the time Mr. Galbraith left for London, he was confined to his room, and Ginevra's walk to the manse for lessons had settled into a custom. CHAPTER XXIX. THE BEAST BOY. One morning they found, on reaching the manse, that the minister was very unwell, and that in consequence Miss Machar could not attend to Ginevra; they turned, therefore, to walk home again. Now the manse, upon another root of Glashgar, was nearer than Glashruach to Nicie's home, and many a time as she went and came, did she lift longing eyes to the ridge that hid it from her view. This morning, Ginevra observed that, every other moment, Nicie was looking up the side of the mountain, as if she saw some...

Sir Gibbie is an 1879 novel by the Scottish author George MacDonald, written in the Doric dialogue of Scotland, that presents a narrative rags-to-riches arc for the title character, in the context of the actual emphasis on the integrity of Gibbie as an obedient Christian servant, and indeed as a Christ-like figure, despite his challenges and circumstances.Created as a means of supplemental income for MacDonald and his family, the characters of this and thematically related other works of his popular fiction also provided a means by which MacDonald's principle devotion--the spread of the Christian message, and of his conception of Christian obedience--could be furthered as well.