Monday, July 7, 2008 - June Book Reviews
Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis
I had two thoughts while reading this book. The first was, "this is pretty darn brilliant!" The second was "this is utter nonsense!" Throughout the book I was torn between those thoughts. Now that I have finished reading the book, I still can't decide which is the correct school of thought regarding the validity of the arguments presented in this book.
Michael Ward, a C.S. Lewis scholar, attempts to solve the mystery that has haunted Lewis scholars and fans alike for decades. The seven Chronicles of Narnia have no obvious organized coherence to each other, and scholars for years have tried to link the seven books with a symbolic theme. The seven deadly sins, the seven sacraments, the seven books of Faerie Queene--all of them have been discussed until now. In this book, Mr. Ward shows what he believes the true answer--the seven books represent the seven medieval planets.
Sure, there is some interesting truth in what Mr. Ward has to say. For instance, Mars is characteristic of war, and Prince Caspian follows the martian characteristics pretty closely. Other times, Mr. Ward is not quite so convincing in his arguments. Some things are too stretched for my liking. I have come to the conclusion that if a person looked hard enough, they could find similarities between any book series and planetary characteristics.
Is Mr. Ward wrong in his assumptions? We'll never know, this side of heaven, I suspect. If you are a Lewis aficionado, you will probably find this book interesting. Even if Mr. Ward is wrong in assuming that Lewis intentionally included these planetary elements, as I believe he is, his thoughts still give a new look into the Chronicles. Perhaps they may help you understand the books a little more, in a fascinating new way. But is this the solution to the enigma about the Chronicles as Mr. Ward claims? I highly doubt it.
C.S. Lewis and Narnia for Dummies
No, I'm really not a dummy. I swear...and especially not regarding Narnia. So why I read this book, well...I just need to repeat, I am not a dummy!
Now if you are a dummy regarding C.S. Lewis (not pointing any fingers, of course!) or even if you are a fan, you will probably find something in this book that is new. It's not a biography, or a commentary, or a list of books, but instead, all of that rolled up into one.
It contains commentaries on each of his important books, as well as a biography on Lewis. The commentaries explore in depth Narnia, including sections on Narnia and faith, complete with timeliness, charts, and other useful tools. Other commentaries explore Lewis' lesser known (or harder to understand) books. Finally, the book contains lists--from Lewis most famous quotes, to the books that influenced Lewis himself.
This book isn't really anything new, but brings everything old together under one cover. It's just a great reference book on Lewis that, if you want to read his texts, would be handy to keep near you.
C.S. Lewis' Letters to Children
Delightful, lovely, informative, deep, and sweet--all these and more words can describe this book. It's a collection of letters written by C.S. Lewis from the early fifties until the day before his death. Some are to his goddaughter as she grows from her confirmation to her wedding, and some are to fans of Lewis' books.
What is most interesting about this book is to see the relationship between Lewis and fans unfold. Lewis spent a better part of his mornings answering letters all his life. As can be told by these letters, when Lewis received a letter, he not only answered, but began a new friendship. Fans wrote him not once, but periodically throughout the years, developing a pen pal sort of relationship.
In this collection of letters, Lewis discusses Narnia, his life, literature, faith, and more--all for his youngest friends. The letters are full of charm and wit that is not lost on grown ups, however!
Brave New World
If I had to pick which book was the most interesting I read this month, it would be this one. It was interesting not just in fascination, but in its purely terrifying way of describing that which we do not yet know--the future.
Welcome to the future--and the life of one Lenina Crowne. She is a vaccination worker at the Hatcheries and Conditioning Centre in England. Here, she has the noble profession of vaccinating test tube babies (for natural reproduction is a purely disgusting function and never happens in this modern world) that are "hatched" and reared at the center. Remember, this is quite a different new world.
Lenina vaccinates babies depending on their class. In the future, you see, people are divided into main groups. The low class are manufactured with the same genetic material for pure economical use, and the high class are never twins, and are always different. A third of all children are sterilized to keep down world population As the babies grow, they are conditioned into accepting a standard pattern of behavior by hypnotists and other measures. For instance, children are taught to fear books (for they are the supreme evil) as toddlers by placing picture books in front of them, then giving them a slight"zap" using the electric floor method. As they grow older, children are taken to hospitals, where they spend time with the dying and are given chocolate in return, so that they do not fear death and instead associate it with joy.
Lenina is like any other girl in this world. She works, she sleeps, she eats, she takes soma regularly (a drug used as a hallucinogen), and she does not tie herself down to one man (no, that is repugnant to his society. In fact, Lenina is considered morally astray because she has been with the same man for four weeks). However, things start to change when she goes on a date with a new friend--and he takes her to the famed Savage Reservation in New Mexico. This reservation, surrounded by electric fences, is where the savages reside. Savages, of course, are what we consider normal beings--who live and reproduce under normal conditions. But in Lenina's world, that is completely unnatural--and repulsive. These Savages must be kept under control. However, Lenina begins to befriend one particular Savage--a young man named John, who is part of a dreadful secret. Lenina, though, is more interested in the fact that John is satisfied with this despicable and disgusting life--living with his (oh, dare I say the word? After all, due to the nature of the family life in this society, the very word is consider obscene, and the most learned professors blush over it) mother!
Lenina and her friend have an idea--why not bring John back to England, as an example of how dreadful these savages really are? Of course, their plan is only bound to backfire as John is shocked at the life outside the Savage Reservation.
In a turning point in the book, as well as the character's realization of what a human yearns and needs from life, John rebels against current English society. In a discussion with the World Controller for Western Europe, Mustapha Mond, he says:
" 'I like the inconveniences.'
'We don't,' said the Controller. 'We prefer to do things comfortably.'
'But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.'
'In fact,' said Mustapha Mond, 'you're claiming the right to be unhappy.'
'All right then,' said the Savage defiantly, 'I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.'
'Not to mention the right to grow old and ugly and impotent; the right to have syphilis and cancer; the right to have too little to eat; the right to be lousy; the right to live in constant apprehension of what may happen tomorrow; the right to catch typhoid; the right to be tortured by unspeakable pains of every kind.' There was a long silence.
'I claim them all,' said the Savage at last."
In his preface, Mr. Huxley states that his portrayal of such a hideous, immoral world wasn't as far into the future as he originally projected.
"Today it seems quite possible that the horror may be upon us within a single century." That single century is almost over--how close are we now?
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Although Brave New World was the most interesting book I read this month, this one was my absolute favorite. In case you haven't noticed by now, I have a horrible obsession with Oscar Wilde. So it was only natural that I put away his short stories (for a time, as you'll see in a few paragraphs!) , poems, and plays, and pick up the only novel he ever wrote.
In a "Jekyll-and-Hyde" type story, Dorian Gray is a kind young man who was blessed with a beautiful face (and I just realized how stupid that sounds. Hang in there, it gets better!) One of his friends, an accomplished artist, asks to paint his picture. Dorian acquiesces, but upon seeing his picture, he yearns that the picture of himself would grow old, and he would stay young, instead of the opposite, which by all natural causes would happen. Be careful what you wish for, Dorian!
Dorian meets and falls in love with a beautiful actress, but circumstances force him to cruelly leave her. When he returns to his home, he finds the painting of himself to be altered. Now, he can just begin to see a touch of evil in the once pure face. Under the influence of a not-so-pure friend, Dorian begins to travel a road of debauchery, yet remaining young and pure in looks, while his portrait grows ever more ugly, old, and cruel. He lives in fear that someone will discover his portrait--and by doing so, find out his true character. It all climaxes into a stunning ending--terrifying and hideous!
Journey to the Center of the Earth
I have to admit, this is one of those books that I always wanted to read as a kid, but never got to. So I decided to pick it up now, and...well, to be honest, I couldn't have enjoyed it more thoroughly at seven than I did at seventeen!
Young Axel is the nephew of a renown professor, who has recently purchased a rare book. Inside the book the two find a secret code. After many tries, they succeed in cracking the code, and find this message:
"Descend, bold traveler, into the crater of the jjokul of Sneffels, which the shadow of Scartaris touches before the calendas of July, and you will attain the centre of the earth; I have done this, Arne Saknussemm."
Thus Axel, his uncle, and a friend attempt to journey to the center of earth. Along the journey, they find new discoveries--from fossils, plants, underwater ocean, and even--yes, life itself! Journey to the Center of the Earth is a fun adventure story, with lots of twists and turns (much like the path to the center of the earth itself!)--altogether, a science fiction thriller just like the ones we have come to expect from the father of science fiction himself, Jules Verne!
Oscar Wilde short stories:
Told you there would be more of Mr. Wilde coming up. I read three of his short stories this month, all of which were full of his usual wit and charm!
The Happy Prince
This is a very strange story--strange because it is so definitely symbolic.The protagonist in the story is actually a jeweled statue that overlooks the city. A bird rests on him, and ends up watching the injustice throughout the city with the statute. The bird then must take all the jewels from the statue and use them to help those in need--but at a price.
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
The most interesting of the short stories, this mystery is the story of a young man called Arthur. He is told by a fortune teller that he will be a murderer. Arthur is about to marry, but realizes he can't marry a woman if he is going to become a murder. This leads him to try to commit the murder before he is married, and thus be married with a clear state of mind (huh?). Of course, nothing goes as he plans as all his murder attempts don't work out. Is the fortune teller right, or was he merely using his position to make Arthur go mad?
The Birthday of the Infanta
Wilde was known for his fairy tales, including ones for children, and this is one of his more famous. It's the story of a hunchbacked, disfigured dwarf who is to perform at the birthday party of a young Spanish princess. Of course all the children at the party laugh at him--which breaks his heart--literally!
Villette
Although her Jane Eyre is the most widely read of Charlotte Bronte's books, this one is considered the best and most critically acclaimed. I had a hard time believing that, until I picked it up and read it. It's just one of those books that starts out fairly interesting, then gets more fascinating, and by the end, a favorite!
Lucy Snowe was raised in England, but because of necessity, flees and settles in France. There she becomes an English teacher at a girl's school. She meets old friends and new--witnessing romance among her friends but experiencing none for herself. That can be depressing for a young woman of twenty-three enough, but Lucy is also being 'haunted" by a mysterious nun. On top of that, she must put up with the school's literature teacher--a Frenchman who never ceases to annoy her!
My favorite part, actually, though, was just half of one single chapter. In it, Lucy, who is dealing with her feelings for said Frenchman, must put up not only with his nuisances, but also the fact that they share a different view of God. That, of course would harm any relationship they could have, Lucy believes. You see, the Frenchman, M. Paul, is of course Catholic, while Lucy is a heretic-- a Protestant. This difference leads to some very thought provoking discussions between M. Paul and Lucy about faith and the church itself--a discussion which is possibly more relevant now than it was when the book was first published in 1856. If you can't read the book, this one chapter is worth reading!
The book is also filled with unforgettable characters. Each one has such different and unique qualities--just like people we do or could know in our own lives!
Comments
Monday, July 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
I've heard of Only Angels Have Wings but never seen it.
I know! I know! I love Philly Story. I love when Mike rides all the way to Dexter's house, drunk, all the way yelling, 'C.K. Dexter Haven! Oh, C.K. Dexter HAAAAVEN!' (I sometimes just walk around the house doing that.)
You've seen Casablanca, right?
Monday, July 7, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
Hi!
Oh, I was afraid of that! I was so sure I answered your last comment, but I have indeed forgotten! I will answer it though, once I find it which shouldn't be hard.
Yes, I saw the clips! I REALLY liked them and agree with you that I hope they are in the extended edition!
Also, I did see Eustice was cast! What do you think of him? I think he looks very much like Euctice, looks like he could play a brat. Wonder how he will make a nice Eustice though, I mean when he turned nice.
Oh! So, which ones are some of your favorite fiction heros?
Will be back later with the other comment :)
Well, I am back :).
Once more I enjoyed your book reviews and you have made me want to read A Picture of Dorain Gray! I own it but have not read it yet.
Well, I FINALLY found your comment, sorry I did not answer it before! I have a bad habit of forgetting.
I think one of the main reasons I liked the duel in PC is that it shows Peter's character so well. Every time Mariz fell Peter would wait for him to rise. Also he did not listen to the men's taunts, which would be a difficult task, especially for a young man who would be wanting to prove himself to be king of Narnia.
Hmm, no I do not believe I have seen the video where Adamson interviews the kids.
Yes, I agree with the Nigh Raid. In the other parts I could see Susan fighting, to save her family, but the Night Raid, well that did not seem like her. Especailly with the throwing the arrow into that guy. But, I too can live with it. I think, that in our modern culture, people have got the idea that girls need to be tough and that lady like girls are, well I cannot think of the right word for it.
Anyways, what I mean is, lady likeness is looked down on. Take Susan, in the books she was the gentle one who did not like fighting. Not to say Lucy did. But it just wasn't in Susan's character. But, the film makers look at that and say, "No one would like that Susan, she is too girly." Characters like hers is looked down on, girls now days want to see women who are like men.
However, that is one of the reasons I like Lewis stories. His girls are girls! They aren't like the girls in fairy tales who couldn't fight to save their lives, and yet they aren't this warror women who don't leave the fighting to the men. They fight when they have to. Hmm, I think I am going in cycles and not hitting the point. So I guess my point is this, I find nothing wrong with girls who leave the fighting to the men, and yet who also fight when it means saving someone in their family, well or anyone.
I believe the reason they changed Susan in that part was just to give girls a "role model" but I fell the Susan from the books was a good role model for girls.
But I think I went on long enough. I can go on for hours on this subject, the lack of lady likeness these days.
Anyways. I agree with you on Peter's changes. I think it showed very well how he was relying on himself, and what happened when he did that. Though the Night Raid was not, persay, in the book, I think it showed very well what happened when Peter was relying on himself and showed the consquenses of that.
Well, I think I have gone on for a long while this time! :). So I will go for now.
Edited by MaidenCapitolaBallot on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 6:39 AM
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
You've been a busy young lady! =D
I loved "Dorian Gray". Just the bizarre concept alone fascinated me...
"Journey to" I read a kajillion years ago and remember more of the movie stuff than the book. Sad.
I don't remember reading "Brave"- only hearing the title forever. Looks interesting in a creepy kind of way.
Can't wait to *see* what you'll be reading next! =D
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Brave New World is my mum's favorite book of all time, and she keeps saying that I will love it, to bad I can't read it! LOL she say's there are inapropriate things in it that don't really need to be read right now so I wait LOL
And my dad did the same thing to me with the dorian grey, he liked the book alot, but won't let me read it because of the author. Hmmm LOL Don't worry I find plenty of books to read that I want to read, jus tnot all of them.
Guess what I watched! An Affair to Remember, I loved it, that was one of the movies you reviewed right?
GB~
sharla~
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Oooh, yeah. What is it you want to do? Do you see yourself going to college; 2 years, 4 years?
That's funny, my mom was just talking about Brave New World. We went to see Wall-e and some of the ways they depicted the humans in space reminded her of that book. I've never read it, but it sounds interesting.
I read Journey to the Center of the Earth years ago, and I didn't really like it. I read it after I had read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for school. Both seemed extremely long and boring to me. lol I also didn't really like the God and Evolution stuff in it, at the time it confused me since I was younger.
My friend Becky will be lending me Jane Eyre and Jorna Doone (sp?) since I need some new stuff to read. I can't wait to read them. Have you read them?
Jennifer
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by eilonwy
"I loathe prunes!"
"And so do I!"
That was one part that cracked me up from Lewis' letters to children.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - Those are
Posted by SuperAngel
interesting reviews.
I wish you could have seen EXPELLED! It was so good and knowing you, you would have really enjoyed it!
I must say I am so sorry that I never got back to you on the ConLaw class. :( I had a post going, but I think I lost it and never started again.
I didn't know you took the class, but I figured you probably did.
I honestly don't remember which class I took. It may have been the college one, because a lot of the kids were older than me.
Thanks for coming by!
Prayers and Blessings,
Miss Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Hehehe yes, they do have good tase and they have greatly inspired mine.
Yes, I spoke to me mum about the book and she said she would read it again and see, because it has been a few years sence she's read it. I hope it's apropriate enough for her to let me read it, but I can wait if I have to!
As for what you said, I in no way thought you were slighiting dad, everybody has their own opinions and not everybodies are the same there was no offence there at all!
My dad did resach on his own about OW and told me what he found, but before I said anything about it I went and looked up the story of his life as well, He was a socialist advocate, and he was a homosexual acording to the articals I read. Now I know that he may be a great writer and I'm sure there are alot of writers who's lives were not correct that I've read works by, but my dad found that he really did not want me reading his works at the moment. I am of course not sure if these are true thing's I've never met the man myself ( LOL), but that's what I found. And I really hope I am not offending you by slighting a writer you like because I really am not meaning to hurt your fealings in anyway! If you know more, or have read something different about him please tell me!!! I don't want to say thing's that are not true
GB~
sharla~
Saturday, July 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by GraceElizabeth
I read your PC review, and it's great! I love long reviews! I'm glad you liked mine, though it's not at all as thought out as your's. I also like the book reviews you post! Those are just pretty neat.
~Grace
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>
Posted by giftedgirl
Hello!
Thank you so much for your comment and your prayers!
I want to read Journey to the Center of the Earth; I saw a movie about it a few days ago, and the stoy itself seemed really neat. I've read The Happy Prince! I didn't even remember it until I read what you wrote! (Funny how that happens, isn't it? I do that all the time; like with Wuthering Heights.... except I listened to that on cassette, so the whole story is stuck in my brain somewhere, I just can't seem to "find" much of it.) It was an interesting story. But I've never read any other Oscar Wilde books or stories. :-) Villette sounds good!
Your posts about books are always very nice. I've found a lot of books that I've never read but now want to read due to your book posts. :-) So thank you!
Hugs,
Becca
Edited by giftedgirl on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Thursday, July 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChristineDaae
Hey,
Thanks for the comment. No, actually we didn't all go to I-day. My dad did, and being the chaplain he said he shook over 1000 hands! We all thought that was pretty cool!
Wow, great book reviews! I got some great ideas for reading projects. I especially would like to read Villette. It was also recommended to me by a girl from my church. Right now I am reading Oliver Twist and I really like it. I enjoy Charles Dickens writing a lot! I recently read The Tale of Two Cities as well.
In Christ,
Christine
Friday, August 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Hey! I just finished a couple day's ago reading Frankenstein I LOVED it! Thanks for the recommendation! I would love to hear from you!
GB~
sharla~
Thursday, August 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Becca ~ GiftedGirl
Hello!!
How are you doing It seems like I haven't talked to you for a long time! :-)
I got a new blog. :-) It's: fruitofthespirit93.blogspot.com Check it out if you'd like!
Hugs,
Becca
Thursday, August 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChristineDaae
Hey,
I just wanted to let you know that I posted yesterday. Please come check it out when you get a chance!
In Christ,
Christine
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