The Whimsy and Levity of George MacDonald with Dr. Danny Gabelman and Dr. Reno Lauro

Classical Education

About the Guest

Dr. Daniel Gabelman grew up in the arid foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains but now finds himself in a contrapuntal landscape--the flat, marshy fenlands of Cambridgeshire. He studied in Virginia and Chicago before completing a doctorate at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Currently, he is Head of English at King's Ely, one of the oldest schools in the world.

He completed his PhD on George MacDonald's fairytale levity at the University of St Andrews in the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA). His thesis was published under the title, George MacDonald: Divine Carelessness and Fairytale Levity (Baylor University Press, 2013).

George MacDonald: Divine Carelessness and Fairytale Levity (Making of the Christian Imagination)

You can follow Dr. Gabelman's work at the ITIA website.

Show Notes
In the spirit of levity, Adrienne decided to release this episode on April Fools' Day. During this interview there were some bloopers (between a few of us) and I decided to leave them there in the spirit of April 1 and in the spirit of MacDonald's own whimsy and levity. We had fun laughing at our own blunders while considering grand ideas!

Adrienne's friend and colleague, Dr. Reno Lauro co-hosts this discussion. Dr. Lauro completed his PhD at St. Andrews and shared a love of literature with Dr. Gabelman while they both were completing their doctoral pursuits in Scottland simultaneously. The joy of their friendship shines in this episdoe.

I am grateful for the brilliace that these two scholars bring to this conversation.

Some Topics and Ideas in this Episode

• George MacDonald, Coleridge, and whimsy!
• George MacDonald's essay, The Imagination: Its Function and Its Culture

Resources and Books & Mentioned In This Episode
Dr. Gableman's book: George MacDonald: Divine Carelessness and Fairytale Levity (Making of the Christian Imagination)
A Dish of Orts by George MacDonald
various George MacDonald titles

The George MacDonald Society

Follow the George MacDonald Society on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GeorgeMacDonaldSociety

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Credits:

Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel

Logo Art: Anastasiya CF

Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

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