The Healer by George MacDonald
The Healer is a novel by George MacDonald that explores themes of faith and redemption through the story of a young man named Paul Faber, who becomes a doctor after experiencing a spiritual awakening. The book follows his journey as he struggles to reconcile his scientific training with his newfound beliefs, ultimately leading him to discover the true meaning of healing.
By George MacDonald · First published 1870 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Poetry, Inspirational · 250 words
First lines
They come to thee, the halt, the maimed, the blind, The devil-torn, the sick, the sore; Thy heart their well of life they find, Thine ear their open door.
Ah, who can tell the joy in Palestine -- What smiles and tears of rescued throngs!
Their lees of life were turned to wine, Their prayers to shouts and songs!
The story dear our wise men fable call, Give paltry facts the mighty range; To me it seems just what should fall, And nothing very strange.
What this Textopian page supports
The Healer is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Fiction, Poetry, Inspirational, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 250 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Healer by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Healer?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Religious Fiction — The text contains themes of healing, Christ-like figures, and spiritual transformation, which are central to religious fiction.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and a lyrical quality, indicative of poetry.
- Inspirational — The themes of healing and spiritual renewal provide an uplifting and motivational message, characteristic of inspirational literature.
- Historical Fiction — References to Palestine and the context suggest a historical setting, aligning with historical fiction.
Tags
fantasy · spirituality · healing · redemption · love · faith · mysticism · self-discovery · sacrifice · nature · morality · suffering