See also:

After 2020: Monographs and Edited Volumes

In reverse chronological order.

  • Vernon, Amanda B. Reading With the Trinity: Theology and Literary Form in George MacDonald. Manchester: Manchester University Press, forthcoming.
  • Gabelman, Daniel, and John Patrick Pazdziora, eds. The Cambridge Companion to George MacDonald. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press, 2026.
  • Trafton, Jennifer. If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling Through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter. Brentwood, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2026.
  • Gabelman, Daniel, and Amanda B. Vernon, eds. Unsaying the Commonplace: George MacDonald and the Critique of Victorian Convention. Hamden, CT: Winged Lion Press, 2024.
  • Canty, Jolyn. Far Above Rubies: The Life of Louisa MacDonald. N.p.: The Works of George MacDonald, 2023.

2000-2020: Monographs and Edited Volumes

Below, in alphabetical order by author, are some of the significant volumes in MacDonald scholarship published between 2000 and 2020. See their bibliographies for references to earlier works. Let us know of additional monographs and edited volumes to add to this list.

  • Dearborn, Kerry. Baptized Imagination: The Theology of George Macdonald. Routledge, 2016.
  • Gabelman, Daniel. George MacDonald: Divine Carelessness and Fairytale Levity. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2013.
  • Larsen, Timothy. George MacDonald in an Age of Miracles: Incarnation, Doubt, and Re-enchantment. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2018.
  • McGillis, Roderick, ed. George MacDonald: Literary Heritage and Heirs. Wayne, Pennsylvania: Zossima Press, 2008.
  • MacLachlan, Christopher, John Patrick Pazdziora, and Ginger Stelle, eds. Rethinking George MacDonald: Contexts and Contemporaries. Glasgow: Scottish Literature International, 2013.
  • Manlove, Colin. George MacDonald’s Children’s Fantasies and the Divine Imagination. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2019.
  • Manlove, Colin. Scotland’s Forgotten Treasure: The Visionary Romances of George MacDonald. Aberdeen: University of Aberdeen Press, 2016; reprint The Works of MacDonald.
  • Partridge, Michael, and Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson, eds. Informing the Inklings: George MacDonald and the Victorian Roots of Modern Fantasy. Hamden, Connecticut: Winged Lion Press, 2018.
  • Pennington, John, ed. Crossing a Great Frontier: Essays on George MacDonald’s Phantastes (Hamden, Connecticut: Winged Lion Press, 2018.
  • Pennington, John, and Roderick McGillis, eds. Behind the Back of the North Wind: Critical Essays on George MacDonald’s Classic Children’s Books. Hamden, Connecticut: Winged Lion Press, 2011.
  • Pennington, John, and Roderick McGillis, eds. Phantastes by George MacDonald: Annotated Edition. Hamden, Connecticut: Winged Lion Press, 2017.
  • Prickett, Stephen. Victorian Fantasy. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2005, 2d ed.
  • Webb, Jean, ed. ‘A Noble Unrest’: Contemporary Essays on the Work of George MacDonald. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2007.
  • Yamaguchi, Miho. George MacDonald’s Challenging Theology of the Atonement, Suffering, and Death. Tucson, Arizona: Wheatmark, 2007.

Unpublished Dissertations and Theses

Below are MacDonald-related dissertations completed since 2000. Once published as monographs, they will be removed from the list below and added to the list above. Please contact us to alert us of additional titles to add here!

  • Hayward, Deirdre Christine. “George MacDonald and Three German Thinkers.” Doctoral dissertation. University of Dundee, 2000.
  • Jeffrey Johnson, Kirstin. “Rooted in All its Story, More is Meant than Meets the Ear: A Study of the Relational and Revelational Nature of George MacDonald’s Mythopoetic Art.” Doctoral dissertation. St. Andrews, 2011; http://hdl.handle.net/10023/1887.
  • Kohlt, Franziska E. “‘More than a figment of scientific fancy’: Dreams and Visions in Victorian Psychology and Fantastic Literature, 1858-1900.” Doctoral dissertation. Oxford University, 2019.
  • Koopman, Jennifer. “Redeeming Romanticism.” Doctoral dissertation. McGill University, 2007.
  • Kregliner, Gisela Hildegard. “George MacDonald’s Christian Fiction: Parables, Imagination and Dreams.” Doctoral dissertation. University of St. Andrews, 2008.
  • Smith, Jeffrey Wayne. “George MacDonald and Victorian Society.” Doctoral dissertation. University of Dundee, 2013; https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/george-macdonald-and-victorian-society/.
  • Stelle, Ginger. “A Swipe at the Dragon of the Commonplace: A Re-Evaluation of George MacDonald’s Fiction.” Doctoral dissertation. University of St. Andrews, 2011.
  • LaPlue, Caroline. “Mapping MacDonald: A Digital Network of George MacDonald’s Influence in Victorian Britain.” Doctoral dissertation. Middle Tennessee State University, 2026. Proquest: proquest.com/docview/3373847235.