Concise Title: Essays on Life, Literature, and Imagination

In the estimation of C. S. Lewis, the literary merits of George MacDonald derive almost exclusively from his work in fantasy, which he did "better than any man." However, MacDonald's literary output extends far beyond the realm of fantasy, encompassing five books of theology, a dozen-plus volumes of poetry, and scores of essays and lectures. While the quality of this additional literary yield might not have attained the same lofty heights as his fantasy, it still delivers - in that happy blend of gravity and levity particular to MacDonald - a trove of wisdom and imaginative insight into the works and ways of both God and man.

Orts (an archaic term for "leftovers") is more than mere scraps from MacDonald's literary table. Originally published in 1893 (as A Dish of Orts), the volume presents twelve essays on a diverse range of topics, including the imagination and its functions, Shakespeare and his genius, the poetry of Browning and Wordsworth, and a study of Shelley. Additionally, the collection includes two book reviews and two sermons. Read in whole or in part, what MacDonald writes of a Browning poem will be found as equally true of these Orts: "powerful in their simplicity, and embodied in words of admirable force...full of pathos and humour; full of beauty and grandeur, earnestness and truth."

In conclusion, while George MacDonald's fantasy works may have garnered the most critical acclaim, his broader literary output, as exemplified by the essays in Orts, also deserves recognition for its depth of insight, imaginative power, and command of language. The varied and engaging nature of these "leftovers" from MacDonald's pen serves as a testament to the breadth and richness of his literary legacy.

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