Horror MacDonald, George: The Portent and Other Stories. v1. 10 Jan 2026

[GrannyGrump]

George MacDonald (1824–1905) is considered a father of modern fantasy, influencing writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. His works explore deep themes of faith, the soul, and the human condition through allegorical and imaginative storytelling.

This collection of supernatural tales features the title story about a young man in the Scottish Highlands who experiences "second sight." (It is MacDonald’s only novel that can be classified as horror.) The stories blend realism with fantasy, mystery, and spiritual themes like fate, redemption, and the battle between good and evil. The collection is known for its eerie atmosphere, vivid imagery, and exploration of profound moral and philosophical questions through its fantastical elements, making it a bridge between fantasy and realistic fiction.

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List of stories:

Spoiler:

The Portent (novella)
The Cruel Painter
The Castle
The Wow o’ Riven
The Broken Swords
The Gray Wolf
Uncle Cornelius, His Story

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Contents were first published 1854 ~ 1871; the collection first published 1909. This book is in the public domain worldwide, because the author died more than 100 years ago, and it was published prior to 1930.
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