At the Back of the North Wind, by George MacDonald, came highly recommended by someone who loved it years ago. I found it tedious and poorly told, as though Mr. MacDonald had awoken from a dream, and tried unsuccessfully to get it all down before the memory faded.

I have not enjoyed MacDonald’s other things that I’ve read, so I suppose this wasn’t a surprise. I think he has good stories, but is incapable of telling them.

Next on the list is Persuasion, by Jane Austen, although based on the first few chapters I’m hoping to get through it quickly. I’m also still reading River Teeth, but I’m almost done.