Sometimes in life you meet someone online or in person or wherever and you think to yourself, “Why in the world did I not know you fifteen years ago when I was the only I girl I knew who who was kind of in love with a fictional Scottish doctor? Why?”
Hehehe…that person would be Rachel McMillan. Rachel is a wonderful writer and has become a fun online friend…and when we discovered a shared love of Dr. MacNeill from the book (and later TV series) Christy, well, that sealed the friendship deal.
In fact, Rachel’s whole post today is about the awesomeness of Dr. MacNeill. See why I’m excited about this? If you’ve not read–or seen–Christy, I have a few words of advice for you: A) Read Rachel’s post. B) Get thee a copy of the book. And C) If you really need a good dose of the good doctor, consider yourself invited to my place for a viewing of the TV show…during which I may or may not practice my fledgling Scottish accent. 🙂
p.s. I meant to record the intro video in a Scottish accent today but then I decided against humiliating myself…’cause, you know, every once in awhile I like to protect my dignity.
Five Reasons why Neil MacNeill is the Greatest Hero in the History of Christian Fiction
 |
|
Reader’s Digest 1967, Neil and Christy
dance at Ruby Mae’s wedding
|
1.) He’s Super Doctor: Neil gives up a prosperous and distinguished career as a city doctor at the edge of medical research to stay in the Appalachian mountains in Cutter Gap. The nights are long and arduous, the superstition of the locals precedes and sometimes inhibits his medical practice; but he cannot imagine being happy anywhere else:
“I knew what I had to do.”, he tells Christy, “The call of the mountains and my own people was too strong to deny. I knew how desperately they needed a doctor back in these hills and coves. Personal ambition didn’t matter really.”
2.) He rides a horse: Move over Prince Charming, you aren’t the only guy who can sweep a girl off her feet and gallop off into the sunset (or, in this case, the Cutter Gap Mission):
“As Charlie moved into a free-swinging easy- gait and the cool morning air flowed past my face, I began to feel better, no longer exhausted, just comfortably drowsy, as though I could sleep forever… One part of me wanted to relax against the Doctor; the other part of me resisted vigorously.”
3.) He has a RUSTIC CABIN: Girls, MacNeill is a man’s man. He wears plaid. He hunts and fishes. He has this cool Gaelic family motto: ...Tha mo chas air ceann mo naimhdean: which literally means “my foot is on the head of my enemies” So strong and warrior-like. Those MacNeill’s weren’t wimps. As Neil says “ the Highland Scots were not exactly drawing-room dandies” He’s a Scotsman.
4.) He can DANCE: “The doctor was surprisingly nimble. I had never done much square dancing, so did not know all the intricate figures. But by whispered instruction and skillful leading, he was steering me with scarcely a step missed by either of us.”
 |
from the 1990’s CBS series
|
5.) The Joy of The Children Was in His voice: Christy may harbour feelings for David Grantland, the third in their love triangle; but it is ultimately Dr. MacNeill who wins her heart. While David’s stern reactions to her creative ideas for health and reform in the mountain regions deflate her zeal; the doctor encourages and nurtures her passion and resolve.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Neil MacNeill’s function in the story is how he strengthens Christy’s faith and conviction. When challenged by the doctor and his initially agnostic views, she is inspired to confront her own faith and decide what she believes. Even when she is not with him, their banter and arguments resonate:
“Now I knew how to answer the doctor’s question. Call this what you might… God…Father…Starter-Force, it was personal all right. It thrust deep into me. It pulled and it insisted that life was precious.”
Indeed, the doctor is so important to Christy’s spiritual, emotional and physical welfare that the last line of the book, in my opinion one of the most beautiful lines in all of literature, is centered on him.
Several readers, upon finishing the story modeled after Catherine’s mother Leonora Whitaker Wood are surprised, and sometimes desolated, to learn that Leonora married Reverend John Ambrose Wood and there was no doctor in sight. Why, then, would Marshall create a hero who steals Christy’s heart and secures her future at the end?
I like to think that Doctor MacNeill is a bit of a hybrid of Marshall’s own doubts (though by no means agnostic, she wrestled openly with God in moments of despair) as well as a dash of the qualities possessed by her charming, intelligent and illustrious Scottish husband, Peter Marshall. This fact breathes slightly into the fiction when meted against Marshall’s biography and I choose to see it as a bit of the kernel which drove the novel into full-force.
Ladies, if you’re looking for a contemporary author who delves into MacNeill territory, please consider reading The Frontiersman’s Daughter by Christy award finalist Laura Frantz. The moment I met Ian in that book I knew that Neil MacNeill had a fictional kindred spirit.
*****
Rachel McMillan blogs at a Fair Substitute for Heaven. She recently completed her first historical romance novel and is represented by William K. Jensen Agency. She traveled to Scotland for the first time last year to listen to the acc….umm….to study the history. She’s spent a lot of time waiting for a real life Neil MacNeill to show up.
Note from Melissa: I totally agree with Rachel about Laura Frantz’s book. Ian was sooo similar to Dr. MacNeill. Also, Joanne Bischof’s wonderful Cadence of Grace series is set in the Appalachian Mountains and has such a Christy feel to it.
Readers, your turn to talk! Who is your favorite literary hero? Have you read and/or watched Christy? If you have, who do you like better: Reverend Grantland or Dr. MacNeill? Please know that if you answer Grantland, we will still be friends but I may seriously question your taste.
Comments 35
Such a fun post. Melissa, you have to admit that (at least in the TV show), Christy’s first glimpse of Rev. Grantland is rather romantic … Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m voting for Grantland. I like how Dr. MacNeil challenges Christy–forcing her to think about who she is and what she believes.
And Joanne Bischof’s Cadence of Grace series is wonderful!
Haha, yes, where Christy faints in the rain. And I mean, okay, so I’m kind of harsh on the Rev…he does have his sweet moments. (in the TV show moreso than in the book) My problem is I’m always comparing him to the doctor…who is way more fun. And has a Scottish accent. 🙂
Everything you just said, Melissa. Yeah, I didn’t HATE David on the show, so when I read the book (gasp, I know, I did it in the wrong order, but in my defense, I was like 15), I was surprised at how much I disliked him. But book/miniseries/TV show, always Doc MacNeil. You can never beat the Scottish accent.
Did you notice that when they did the miniseries, with an ENTIRELY different cast, he was the ONLY one who didn’t change? (I definitely still preferred the Kelli Martin version, but Stewart Finlay-McLennan made even the other one watchable.)
Ah, yes. Bonding over heros. Rachel and I bonded over our love of Barney in The Blue Castle, but Dr. McNeill is a great one, too. Scotland is our dream trip and I won’t even pretend that soaking in that accent isn’t at the top of my reasons why! Another really good Appalachian read is Laurie Alice Eakes’ Choices of the Heart, the last of her Midwives series.
Ooh, I still haven’t read The Blue Castle. But Rachel recommended it awhile back and it’s on my “I must read this SOON” list. 🙂
I went to Scotland for a week when I was studying abroad. The whole time felt…magical. And yes, I realize how silly that sounds, but it’s true. I remember thinking, “I could just sit in a pub ALL day long and listen to Scottish people talk and this trip would be worth every penny.”
I watched Christy but I admit, I’ve never read the book. But I have read Laura Frantz’s! Amazing, it was. (Dude, that was so Yoda-ish)
Anyway, I’m partial to Darcy. What can I say?
You need to read the book!!!
And I just had a brilliant idea. ACFW. Late night viewing of Christy. I will convert everyone to Dr. MacNeill fans.
@anne ah yes, barney snaith. barney and neil are kinda a toss-up for two fictional characters i would most like to marry.
@jessica: i do love me some darcy; though knightley is one of my fav. austen heroes as well 🙂
@beth: i cannot get enough of joanne bischof! just finished ‘though my heart is torn’ and love how tortured and real gideon is 🙂
Love Christy, though I’ve never actually read it. Gasp. I know. I’ve seen it several times, you’d think I’d haul out the book and read it! And, yeah, I’m a fan of the doctor:) It was the accent. Totally the accent.
Yep, the accent. And the wit. And the fact that he actually challenged Christy instead of just pampering her like David.
And that one part where they’re competing and he throws the log. I mean…throwing a log is just cool.
@ Susan you must, must, must read it! the book is so infinitely better than the series.
PAX also did a series of Christy movies — with the same actor playing MacNeill 🙂
Okay, I have bad feelings toward the PAX series. BAD feelings…yes, they kept the same MacNeill, but for real…the Rev was over the top whiney…I was like, Christy, this shouldn’t even be a hard choice for you. Come. On.
Agree, Melissa: The latter movie series of ‘Christy’ is a poor substitute.
I haven’t read the book, OR seen the show – I think it came out when I was in college and not in possession of a television of my own. But y’all just may have me convinced to try it out!
Oh Melissa, yes, it’s so worthy of a reading or viewing. Like Rachel mentioned, the book is definitely better. And the TV show…um, it’s definitely 90s cheesy. Think Dr. Quinn. 🙂 But it’s still a fun watch. Especially anytime Christy and Dr. MacNeill argue. 🙂
Haven’t read the book…only seen the show. And I was quite put out when I discovered it ended before knowing the ending! ARgh!
I liked the doctor better too, because I do feel like he “got” Christy. The reverend was nice in the show but too often he wanted to make Christy into what he wanted her to be…instead of accepting who she was.
Ahhh, but if you read the book, you will know how it ends!!
I was mad, too, though. Like Rachel mentioned above, PAX did put out some TV movies to finish off the story. They’re, um, low quality. But for anyone itching to see how it ends and unwilling to read the book, it’s an option. At least they have the same character playing Dr. MacNeill. 🙂
Also, I think when you come stay with me, we need to watch a little Christy. I think we’re racking up quite the list of things to watch, actually. You may need to stay two weeks. Haha!
Ha – love this post, Rach & Melissa! Well, as we have already discussed to Rach’s deep and bitter disappointment, having read Christy as a young girl, I don’t remember much. It was in my tomboy days so I don’t think I was really contemplating the appealing or egregious qualities of either man 😉
I hope I have redeemed myself by my love of The Blue Castle, Laura Frantz, and John Thornton (in literary and Richard Armitage forms!).
I’ve recently acquired an attachment to Jody Hedlund’s nobleman Carl von Reichart. German he may be but he gives the good Scotsman a run for his money!
Haha, you have completely redeemed yourself with your other loves. John Thornton a la Richard Armitage…simply…yes. 🙂
The Noble Groom is my next-read. I can’t wait!
Christy is one of my sister’s all-time favorite books. She’s had to replace her copy three times now because she reads it so often that it has fallen apart. 🙂 What a fun post – love it! And your video? You’re just cute as a button. There are so many literary heroes that I love! I can’t narrow it down to just one because the perfect hero would take a bit of all of them rolled into one. 🙂
Your sister and I are in similar situations–both of my copies of Christy are falling apart! And thank you for liking the video. I had sooo much more I could’ve said about Dr. MacNeill…hehehe…
Um…I’ll admit that when you first said, “kind of in love with a Scottish Doctor,” I immediately thought DOCTOR WHO!!! Okay, haven’t read Christy for so long, but loved the series and I do remember being impressed at how Christy/the doctor could hash out Christian ideas. I love being able to talk about those things w/my own hubby, too. Great breakdown today on one of my fave topics–Appalachian fiction.
You know, I’m not all that familiar with Doctor Who, but I know a lot of people who love it. Maybe I should try it out while I’m desperately awaiting BBC’s third Sherlock series.
And yeah, Christy and the doctor’s spiritual conversations kind of rock. I love how they build a friendship despite their differing views…and then how…okay, some people haven’t read it, so I shouldn’t go into that next part…but it’s so good. 🙂
Such a memorable post! Love, love, love the quotes from Christy and Rachel’s insights into the story. I think what we absorb and fall in love with plays out on the pages of our own stories. That’s certainly how it was for me and Christy and the good doctor. I do think my Ian is a little echo of Neil. I never gave the preacher a second look ;)! Must go back and savor Christy all over again…
P.S. And then there’s the beloved Barney S. Oh my, don’t even get me started (though I see dear Anne is a fan, too)!
Laura, thank you so much for stopping by. I so agree with Rachel that Ian is totally on Dr MacNeill’s level. Ohhh how I love your books. 🙂
LOVE the Christy series. It was one of the few that my parent’s were okay with us watching and still to this day, I adore it. Wish it had lasted beyond a first season considering the ending – I mean, really!? How could we not have been given closure. *sigh* Ah, well! I survived.
Lovely to see you over on Melissa’s blog, Rachel! GREAT post!
I adore the series, too, even in all its 90s-cheesiness. Haha. So fun!!
I feel so cheated by life! I have neither read the story, nor watched the television show, but I’m going to need to change that soon! If Dr. MacNiell is as wonderful as all of you claim (and if he’s anything like Ian in Laura’s story), I know I’ll fall in love. Oh, to create a hero like that. *sigh* 🙂
Gabe, I have a fabulous solution. I will bring the Christy dvds when we’re up at your place this summer. Maybe in between working/writing/brainstorming/laughing/Seven Brides for Seven Brothers watching, we can catch an episode or two. Because it’s just that wonderful. And I feel like you’d like it. 🙂
I read the book, but didn’t watch the show…that I remember. Parts of that story are still fresh in my mind even after #$% years…lol Great post. Must find Rachel’s book!
I’m really thinking I may bring the dvds to ACFW for a late-night viewing, Pat. If so, you are definitely invited…:)
Rachel, Melissa – LOVE this post. Loved listening to Rachel rant about it on FB. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this post – ha!
I grew up on Christy – I remember begging my mom to let me read it long before I was ready, and was terribly affected by some of the medical procedures (amputation) and slow, terrible death by Tetanus…. but I read it again and again, loving it more every time. I used to write “alternate endings” and spin-offs when I was older. In fact, I felt sorry for the stern David, and I used to write in new characters, offering him new love that not only solved all the dilemmas of a love-triangle, but also helped him to see how much better life would be if he would just lighten up!
Melissa – every time I see pictures of Ollie, I feel my heart swell. What a delight – and the comic? OH. MY. GOODNESS. Amazing.
Thanks for sharing today – both of you!
Thanks, Becky! And ohhhh, isn’t Ollie just the cutest? I think I never stop smiling when I’m around him. He has this infectious joy that’s just, well, infectious.
You know, it’s nice of you to feel sorry for David. Haha!! I tend to brush him off as an annoying character…but he could’ve been redeemed, I’m sure, in a future book. 🙂
I have never read or watched Christy! I need to change that! I know I’d fall in love with Dr. MacNeill. He sounds like my kind of hero…