Jun 21 2011
Book Trailer: Toward the Gleam
Interesting trailer for Toward the Gleam by T.M. Doran. Clearly going for the Tolkien and CS Lewis fans. Looks interesting nonetheless …
C.S. Lewis
Jan 31 2011
The Narnia Code by Michael Ward
Like many evangelicals – heck, like a great many people period – my introduction to what you might call fantasy fiction was C.S. Lewis. I have read a decent amount of his writing as well as books about him.
I wouldn’t say I am quite as taken with him as some (there is an almost cultish aspect to many of his fans within evangelicalism) but I am a big fan of the Narnia series.
So when I heard about Planet Narnia by Michael Ward I was intrigued. Was there really a hidden code behind this famous series? But the book was academic in nature not to mention long and expensive – so I never got around to reading it.
But the folks at Tyndale publishers had the bright idea to bring out a sort of slimed down introductory version called The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens. I figured this was my chance to see what all the fuss was about.
Millions of readers have been captivated by C. S. Lewis’s famed Chronicles of Narnia, but why? What is it about these seven books that makes them so appealing? For more than half a century, scholars have attempted to find the organizing key—the “secret code”—to the beloved series, but it has remained a mystery. Until now.
In The Narnia Code, Michael Ward takes the reader through each of the seven Narnia books and reveals how each story embodies and expresses the characteristics of one of the seven planets of medieval cosmology—Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Luna, Mercury, Venus and Saturn—planets which Lewis described as “spiritual symbols of permanent value.”
How does medieval cosmology relate to the Christian underpinnings of the series? How did it impact Lewis’s depiction of Aslan, the Christlike character at the heart of the books? And why did Lewis keep this planetary inspiration a secret? Originally a ground-breaking scholarly work called Planet Narnia, this more accessible adaptation will answer all the questions.
Seems outrageous and interesting, right? Well, it is sort of both. I found the book interesting in concept but less successful in practice.
More thoughts below. Keep Reading
Dec 28 2010
Looking for the King by David Downing
The concept used in Looking for the King is an interesting one for a novel. Calling itself “An Inklings Novel” the story intertwines a romance of sorts, a mystery/adventure and a series of conversations with and between the main characters and the famous literary group which included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien.
Basic plot:
It is 1940, and American Tom McCord, a 23-year-old aspiring doctoral candidate, is in England researching the historical evidence for the legendary King Arthur. There he meets perky and intuitive Laura Hartman, a fellow American staying with her aunt in Oxford, and the two of them team up for an even more ambitious and dangerous quest.
Aided by the Inklings-that illustrious circle of scholars and writers made famous by its two most prolific members, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien-Tom and Laura begin to suspect that the fabled Spear of Destiny, the lance that pierced the side of Christ on the cross, is hidden somewhere in England.
There are basically three threads: the relationship of the two main characters Tom and Laura; the mystery surrounding Laura’s dreams and the Spear of Destiny; and the intellectual/spiritual conversations with the Inklings and its impact on Tom’s worldview.
While the unique structure, and the underlying mystery, had the potential for an entertaining story I found the combination fell flat. There was no sense of danger, no suspense or surprises, just conversation and a plodding plot. Those with a strong interest in Lewis, Tolkien or the Inklings might enjoy the book just for those aspects but it wasn’t enough for me.
More below.
Dec 18 2010
The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers
One of the challenges of reading young adult fiction is trying to determine what actual young people might think. As an adult I have different expectations, and experience books differently, and this makes reviews tricky. To be honest, I read YA fiction mostly because it offers some very creative approaches to fantasy and imaginative fiction that is often lacking in “adult” fiction.
This came up again while reading The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers.
Here is the publisher’s description:
As far back as he can remember, the orphan Grady has tramped from village to village in the company of a huckster named Floyd. With his adolescent accomplice, Floyd perpetrates a variety of hoaxes and flimflams on the good citizens of the Corenwald frontier, such as the Ugliest Boy in the World act.
It’s a hard way to make a living, made harder by the memory of fatter times when audiences thronged to see young Grady perform as “The Wild Man of the Feechiefen Swamp.” But what can they do? Nobody believes in feechies anymore.
When Floyd stages an elaborate plot to revive Corenwalders’ belief in the mythical swamp-dwellers known as the feechiefolk, he overshoots the mark. Floyd’s Great Feechie Scare becomes widespread panic. Eager audiences become angry mobs, and in the ensuing chaos, the Charlatan’s Boy discovers the truth that has evaded him all his life—and will change his path forever.
My first mistake was not really thinking of this as a young adult book. I guess I vaguely knew that but when I picked up the book I didn’t have that clearly in my mind and it affected my reaction.
But then knowing that it is YA what expectations should I have?
I love the setting and the personality and voice of the main character, Grady, but found the story dragged and held little suspense. But this might be due to “adult” expectations so your mileage may vary.
Dec 16 2009
C.S. Lewis Foundation establishing College
From the web page:
The C.S. Lewis Foundation has long envisioned establishing C.S. Lewis College in the U.S. as a fully accredited Christian institution of Great Books and Visual and Performing Arts. That vision is now about to become a reality as plans move forward to launch C.S. Lewis College on the beautiful campus in Northfield, Massachusetts, recently acquired for this purpose from Northfield Mount Hermon School. This property has been purchased for the use of C.S. Lewis College by Hobby Lobby, a privately held retail chain of arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, OK.
Subject to securing all appropriate approvals, C.S. Lewis College currently plans to commence instruction in Fall 2012.
Video after the jump
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