Lilith: A Romance

Likely the most intricate and layered of MacDonald’s novels, Lilith explores the nature of life, death, and salvation. It has been noted as the darkest of MacDonald’s works for its exploration of eternal sleep and the torture of souls. The novel also leads the reader through the healing of souls and eternal salvation. MacDonald brings all of these themes to vivid life through the memorable protagonist, Mr. Vane, as well as the mysterious Mr. Raven and Lilith. Like Phantastes, Lilith also influenced C. S. Lewis, and in his book The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, he pays tribute to MacDonald by making Lilith a primary ancestor of the White Witch.