Thomas Wingfold Curate

The character of Thomas Wingfold is introduced in this preeminent of George MacDonald's English novels, a young curate suddenly brought face-to-face with the hypocrisy of having sought the pulpit as a profession rather than a spiritual calling. Wingfold's prayerful journey into faith highlights MacDonald's most powerful "theological novel." We also meet the dwarf Joseph Polwarth, Wingfold's spiritual mentor and one of MacDonald's most memorable humble apologists for truth. The depth and poignancy of Wingfold's quest makes this 1876 publication one of MacDonald's best-loved works. MacDonald biographer and editor Michael Phillips ranks Thomas Wingfold Curate near the apex of MacDonald's corpus, among his personal favorites along with Malcolm, Sir Gibbie, and Donal Grant.