George Macdonald

Stephen Archer, and Other Tales George Macdonald

Publisher Marketing: Stephen Archer was a stationer, bookseller, and newsmonger in one of the suburbs of London. The newspapers hung in a sort of rack at his door, as if for the convenience of the public to help themselves in passing. On his counter lay penny weeklies and books coming out in parts, amongst which the Family Herald was in force, and the London Journal not to be found. I had occasion once to try the extent of his stock, for I required a good many copies of one of Shakspere's plays-at a penny, if I could find such. He shook his head, and told me he could not encourage the sale of such productions. This pleased me; for, although it was of little consequence what he thought concerning Shakspere, it was of the utmost import that he should prefer principle to pence. So I loitered in the shop, looking for something to buy; but there was nothing in the way of literature: his whole stock, as far as I could see, consisted of little religious volumes of gay binding and inferior print; he had nothing even from the Halifax press. He was a good-looking fellow, about thirty, with dark eyes, overhanging brows that indicated thought, mouth of character, and no smile. I was interested in him. I asked if he would mind getting the plays I wanted. He said he would rather not. I bade him good morning. Contributor Bio:  MacDonald, George George MacDonald was a Scottish author and minister best known for his fairy tales and fantasy novels. A theologian, MacDonald was pastor of Trinity Congregational Church in Arundel before moving to London to teach at the University of London. MacDonald's work influenced many fantasy writers including J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Madeleine L'Engle; he is recognized as a mentor to Lewis Carroll and heavily influenced Carroll's decision to submit Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for publication. MacDonald was a prolific writer, and penned such fantasy classics as Phantastes, The Princess and the Goblin, and Lillith. George MacDonald died in 1905.