A Book of Strife in the Form of the Diary of an
A Book of Strife in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald is a collection of poems and prose that explore themes of spirituality, faith, and human nature. The book was first published in 1880 and has since been recognized as one of MacDonald's most significant works.
By George MacDonald · First published 1880 · Genre: Poetry, Spirituality, Diary · 12 chapters · 33,354 words
First lines
1. LORD, what I once had done with youthful might, Had I been from the first true to the truth, Grant me, now old, to do -- with better sight, And humbler heart, if not the brain of youth; So wilt thou, in thy gentleness and ruth, Lead back thy old soul, by the path of pain, Round to his best -- young eyes and heart and brain.
2. A dim aurora rises in my east, Beyond the line of jagged questions hoar, As if the head of our intombed High Priest Began to glow behind the unopened door: Sure the gold wings will soon rise from the gray! -- They rise not. Up I rise, press on the more, To meet the slow coming of the Master's day.
What this Textopian page supports
A Book of Strife in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul is listed on Textopian as a novella by George MacDonald, dated 1880 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spirituality, Diary, Philosophy, Christian Literature
- Length: 33,354 words
- Structure: 12 chapters, 366 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- De Profundis by Charles Kingsley
- Out Of The Deep Of Death by Charles Kingsley
- Providence by Charles Kingsley
- Death by George Macdonald
- The Rabbis Song by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Poetry — The book is structured as a collection of poems, each entry reflecting poetic form and style.
- Spirituality — The themes revolve around spiritual reflection, personal growth, and religious contemplation.
- Diary — The format mimics a diary, with daily entries that provide introspective thoughts and reflections.
- Philosophy — The content explores philosophical ideas about life, existence, and the human soul.
Tags
diary · spirituality · philosophy · soul · struggle · self-reflection · existentialism · faith · morality · personal growth · introspection · life lessons