Really good book. MacDonald was a Scottish 19th century writer, his books are usually about families living in Scotland. This one is a love-story, but other characters and incidents are recorded. I like his unhurried prose, and he also writes some poetry in his books, usually as songs or poems in the characters' words.

MacDonald was a Christian minister, and his books can be read by Christians without worry about content and language. He describes the growth of the spirit and spiritual experience of Paul Faber and others throughout the book.

He reproduces the Scots dialect, some readers may find it difficult if English is not their first language.

I gave it 4 out of 5 because the language is heavy going at times. This is a book which needs to be read more than once to get the most out of it.