A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald

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A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald

(8 User reviews) 915

By Matthew Garcia Posted on Mar 18, 2026

In Category - Intellectual Writing

Authors: MacDonald, George, 1824-1905 Published By : MacDonald, George, 1824-1905

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever felt like your spiritual life was a quiet battlefield? I just finished this incredible book that’s basically a year-long diary of one man's raw, honest conversation with God. It’s called 'A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old Soul' by George MacDonald. Don't let the old-fashioned title fool you—this is not a polite collection of prayers. It's 365 short poems, one for each day, that document the real struggle of faith. The main conflict isn't with some outside villain; it's the internal war between doubt and trust, weariness and hope, feeling abandoned and seeking connection. MacDonald holds nothing back. He shouts, he pleads, he sits in silence, and he wrestles with the divine. Reading it feels like overhearing the most private, turbulent, and beautiful conversation. If you've ever wanted your faith to feel more real and less rehearsed, this book is a companion for that journey. It’s challenging, comforting, and feels startlingly modern in its honesty.

File: A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald

So, what exactly is this book? Published in 1880, it's structured as a personal diary written over one year, but instead of prose entries, each 'day' is a short, intense poem. There are 365 of them, meant to be read one per day. The 'story' isn't a narrative with characters and a plot in the traditional sense. The plot is the internal landscape of a soul—MacDonald's own, or perhaps a stand-in for ours—as it navigates a year of spiritual life.

The Story

The journey starts with a soul feeling distant and yearning for connection. Each poem captures a different mood or challenge: some days are full of doubt and feeling lost ('My soul is sick and sad'). Other days burst with sudden clarity and gratitude. He argues with God, questions why pain exists, begs for strength to keep going, and sometimes just sits in quiet wonder. The 'strife' in the title is the real deal—it's the hard work of faith, the daily choice to believe, love, and hope even when you don't feel like it. By the end of the year-long cycle, there's no tidy 'happily ever after,' but there is a profound sense of movement, growth, and a deeper, hard-won trust.

Why You Should Read It

I'll be honest, I picked this up expecting something dusty and sermon-like. I was completely wrong. MacDonald's voice is shockingly direct. He doesn't use religious clichés; he uses the language of a real relationship, with all its ups and downs. The beauty is in its lack of pretense. When he's angry or confused, he says so. This makes the moments of peace and insight feel earned and genuine, not sugar-coated. Reading one poem a day, as intended, became a quiet ritual for me. It gave words to feelings I didn't know how to express. It’s less about giving you answers and more about validating the questions.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who finds traditional devotional writing too neat or simplistic. It's for the thinker, the doubter, the weary soul, and the seeker who appreciates poetry. If you like writers like C.S. Lewis (who called MacDonald his 'master') or the introspective depth of poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins, you'll find a kindred spirit here. It's not a light, easy read—it demands your attention and reflection. But if you're willing to sit with it, one day at a time, it becomes a powerful mirror and a gentle guide for your own inner life.