The Little Minister

"The Little Minister" by J. M. Barrie is a story that takes place in the late 1800s, in a made-up Scottish town called Thrums. The book is about a young minister named Gavin Dishart, who is starting his first job and trying to figure out how to balance love, what he's supposed to do, and the problems in his town. As told by a former teacher, the story starts with Gavin and his caring mother arriving in Thrums, filled with optimism. This is contrasted with the sad story of a former minister who never married the woman he loved. Gavin is portrayed as a good person who wants to do the right thing, but he quickly gets involved in the lives of the people in Thrums. Early interactions with the local community and an mysterious Egyptian woman, foreshadow the social challenges that are about to happen. The writer uses vivid descriptions to capture the life in Thrums, setting the stage for the events that will unfold as Gavin deals with difficulty and challenges.