Ranald Bannerman: the Hero as ‘Real’ Boy

First published in serial form in ‘Good Words for the Young’ Nov 1869 – Oct 1870, Ranald Bannerman’s Boyhood (RBB) holds premonitions of MacDonald’s later books such as Princess and the Goblin (1872) and The Princess and Curdie (1883) and includes autobiographical material. Indicators of MacDonald’s views on for example, education and allusions to political changes make RBB as much a story for adults as for children.
Set in the North East of Scotland, MacDonald’s home, the story begins with Ranald’s earliest memory and ends with his departure to school and university. In between are all the agonies of growing up, punctuated by vivid episodes that act as stepping stones toward maturity.