Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - August Reading List
The Pilgrim's Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity Reason and Romanticism You've all heard of the Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, I'm sure. If you haven't, it's a delightful piece of literature that is an allegory of the path of a Christian from earth to Heaven. In that book, the main character, who represents the Christian, tries to find his way to the Celestial City, along the way meeting such characters as Envy, Prudence, Ignorance, and Mercy, all of whom teach him an important lesson. That book was first published in 1678. 255 years later, C.S. Lewis published The Pilgrim's Regress. It is like the Bunyan book in many ways--it is an allegory (his first fictional book, and I believe the first book written after his conversion) of a man's journey to Christianity. It contains the same fictional, representative qualities of the first book, but is an undoubtedly more modern version. Whereas some books just can't be modernized with losing their touch, Lewis was able to revise The Pilgrim's Progress by updating it. Instead of the main character meeting the 17th century characters of the church, he meets characters that are much more meaningful to modern day readers. These characters address modern day philosophy, thought, worldviews, and politics. Instead of meeting people like Evangelist and Goodwill, the main character meets people like Lady Reason, Mr. Open Minded, and Mr. Enlightenment. Both The Pilgrim's Progress and The Pilgrim's Regress are amazing books. Neither one will ever be "outdated", because both deal with issues that continue to plague Christians. One is more about the moral and character issues that a Christian deals with, though, while Lewis' book deals with the psychological issues and the worldviews of those around the Christian. Both should be read, but modern day readers will enjoy being able to relate more to the thought that comes out of The Pilgrim's Regress as it describes that state that the world is currently in. The Problem of Pain "How can a good God allow suffering?" is the question that has been asked to and by Christians for centuries. It is probably the number one question Christians are familiar with, and many have explained it. But perhaps none so well as Lewis, as he attempts to tackle the issue with logic, reasoning, illustrations, and of course Biblical principle. Lewis clearly shows where pain comes from, how we combat it, why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, how wickedness results in pain, how God uses pain, and what lays ahead for us when there is no pain. He is frank in his writing, saying, "I am not arguing that pain is not painful. Pain hurts. I am only trying to show that the old Christian doctrine that being made perfect through suffering is not incredible. To prove it palatable is beyond my design." Lewis makes a good case with strong points, leaving a very stable argument for why God allows suffering. Idylls of the King A reviewer at Amazon.com wrote "If Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" is the backbone of Arthurian literature, Tennyson's "Idylls" are its flesh and blood." I hope the reviewer doesn't mind me taking that quote, because I've loved it since the first time I read that review. I was introduced to both those works in literature classes, reading bits and pieces here and there, but I've never really sat down and read all of Idylls of the King. I finally got to it...and....have found one of my new favorite books. Interestingly, the tales of King Arthur and his knights are expressed here in verse. Although that may sound rather tedious--who wants to read a 200+ page poem?--it is not. I always said Tennyson "writes poetry that reads like prose," and never has this been better illustrated than in Idylls. The book is made up of several poems, each dealing with a different aspect of Arthurian literature. For instance, one is about the quest for the Holy Grail. Another details the love of the Lady of Shalott--Elaine--to Lancelot. Another is about Guinevere, and still another about the adventures of Sir Gareth--knight and kitchen scullion, and so on. The Amazon reviewer was in every way correct. While Malory tells the tale of King Arthur in simple prose, Tennyson adds depth and beauty to each of the scenes and characters. Each character is complex in their thoughts and actions--whether Queen Guinevere in her desperation after betraying her husband, or Sir Lancelot as he is haunted by past sins and present desires. It accumulates into stories that are heartbreaking and tragic, provocative and spiritual, funny and tender--keys to a book that is more than just an enjoyable read. A Grief Observed While I've already discussed Lewis' book on pain, this one, written afterward, is much more specific--to a certain type of pain--and a lot more personal. Lewis was no stranger to grief--tragedies such as his mother's death when he was child or watching his friends die by his side in the trenches of France were among some he experienced at a young age. But the one that affected him most of all was the death of his wife, Joy. Lewis was a bachelor for most of his life. He and Joy were initially only pen pals, until she came to England with her two sons, where they became close friends. There was nothing more between them, though, but when Joy and her boys were threatened to be sent back to the US, Lewis married her in order for her to be able stay in the country. Joy was later diagnosed with cancer, and somewhere at this point the two realized they were deeply in love. They shared over three years together before Joy's cancer came back and she died. When Lewis penned this book on grief, it was initially not even a book. Instead, it was his scribblings on various blank notebooks he found about his home. When he did go to publish it, it was under another name. Why? Maybe, because this book isn't just another book on "how to be patient through suffering." Maybe it's because it isn't a how to manual, or a self help manual, or a "how to get over it quickly" book. It's Lewis' own emotional ramblings about how he felt. In the foreword, Madeleine L'Engle writes, "I am grateful to Lewis for having the courage to yell, to doubt, to kick at God in angry violence. This is a part of a healthy grief which is not often encouraged. It is helpful indeed that C. S. Lewis, who has been such a successful apologist for Christianity, should have the courage to admit doubt about what he has so superbly proclaimed. It gives us permission to admit our own doubts, our own angers and anguishes, and to know that they are part of the soul's growth." Lewis recognized this, and said that it wasn't that he stopped believing in God, but that everything he thought he knew about God had instantly changed. It is through his anger and grief (in which he is able to admit everything that many of us, when grieving, feel but don't want to admit) that he is able to come to a conclusion about grief and about God. That is what makes this different from any other grief books--it's not just sad. It's angry, which sometimes is the most important step in the grieving process. The step that leads us up--towards heaven and God. It has become another instant favorite of mine--a book in which I can relate without feeling ashamed of it; relate while knowing that I'm learning something. Gifts of Passage You know, sometimes timing is everything. The timing regarding when I got to read this book was very interesting. I plan my book lists way in advance. I had this one originally for July, and requested it from the library. For some reason, it wouldn't come in, so I moved it up to August, along with A Grief Observed and the others you see here. Thus, I ended up reading A Grief Observed first, which I never planned. Now here's the funny part. I had no idea of this, but this book was basically inspired by A Grief Observed. The author was very influenced by that book in penning this book (also a grief book) and quotes it many times. I don't think I would have the same appreciation for this book if I hadn't read A Grief Observed first. Gifts of Passage is a book about grief, but another very different one. Instead of focusing on the grieving person, it tells about the gifts that the dead leave us. Of course, this isn't about people talking from the grave or anything, at least not physically, but the things that God sends us to comfort us after the death of a loved one. Through various stories--from those of C.S. Lewis and Joy, the Phantom of the Opera, a forgotten locket (which happens to be about my aunt), the author's own struggle with her father's death, the author shows different ways that God can comfort us through death. And it all leads up to the greatest Gift ever given through death, and that of salvation through Jesus' death on the cross. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Here's timing again for you. I get this book at the library, next day, the author dies. I'll leave you to figure out what that means. This story takes place in a Soviet labor camp in the 1950's, and chronicles one prisoner's experience for an entire twenty four hour period. It is a grueling tale of the tedious life of a Soviet prisoner--and all the struggles he faces, from his meals to the cold to labor. Long considered a Russian (and world) classic, One Day in the Life gives a good glimpse of just one day among a work gang. One day--out of many thousands that most prisoners spent there. Do Hard Things If you are in the blog world, or at least the Christian or teenage blog world, you've probably heard of the Rebelution. It was launched by Alex and Brett Harris not too long ago, and has quickly growing into one of the top Christian teenage blogs in the world. Just this past year, Alex and Brett authored this book for teenagers. In a world of low expectations for teenagers, the Harris brothers show just why and how teenagers need to take action. By using historical and modern examples, they quickly disprove the so called "myth of adolescence" After all, it used to be that humans were two things--either children or adults. There was no such thing as teens--they were adults. So what has caused us to be so labeled? Why are there such low expectations for young people today? Hint: it's not because we aren't capable of so much more. We are. In fact, Alex and Brett prove this by using example after example of modern day teens and what they can do. This is a great book for anyone, Christian or non-believer, who wonders why the teenage world has become, well, teenagers. What can we do to rise up and surpass the lame expectations that society has given? Even those teenagers who "are good kids"--how much effort does that really take? Are we following the good path just because we haven't chosen the bad one? I totally recommend this book for any young person who wants to go against the grain and start doing "hard things." And as the brothers said, just because you do hard things doesn't mean they aren't fun! People of Sparks In this sequel to the City of Ember (see my review from last month), we find the people of the underground city of Ember realizing that there is a world above them. They flock to this above ground world, where they are dubiously welcomed by the people of the town of Sparks. However, the Emberites have come to a world that is not how we know the world to be. Instead it is a primitive society, destroyed by years of war. The Emberites and people of Sparks must learn to get along, but it is a harder process that they realize. Sparks is, like all the world now, not a wealthy city. They have enough food and necessities for themselves, but to add 300 Emberites to that? Tensions rise and war seems inevitable between the two groups of people.
Comments
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Wow you read a lot of great books, I'm so glad you read the City of Ember, I def. like the sparks one, kinda sad, I just finished a few months ago The prophet of yonwood. LOL I have to keep reading them to find out what happens.
I've heard about 'Do hard things', but not too much.
I noticed you said you read Animal Farm, my mum want's me to read that, what did you think of it?
He was funny lol. I want to read it, but my dad said that he was afraid it was more sexual than need be, so he'll have to screen it! LOL I'm going to go nut's with all the books I want to read!
GB~
Sharla~
Thursday, September 4, 2008 - Letter from Hemlock
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
Before I do anything else, I think I found a book you might like. It is called the White People, writen by the lady who wrote the Secret Garden. I am half way through it, and though I don't get the plot yet, it is a wonderful little tale. I think you might like it!
Now to answer your lovely long comment *Rubs hands together and grins*
I wish we lived closer together to. I can never find anyone who will talk to me about Narnia, I mean they just talk about the basics, not really go into it. I can never get them to debate and talk about all the details with me. Were do you live? I live in Wyoming.
Yes, we are going to have to meet! I would love that!
I am going to have to help in VBS next year, it sounds so fun!
Yes, after my busy summer I was hoping for a peaceful winter, not a chance. Seems l will be just as busy this winter as I was in the summer. Oh well.
Yes, I shall give all the details of Les Miserables. I love that story and would love nothing better then to see the play!
I am to the part where Dorian broke off his engagement to Sybil. That was so sad and cruel! I felt so bad for her as she loved him so much! And all that stuff Henry said to him as he left, not really comforting. Still, I can't believe Dorian just left her because she acted badly. I think, without him knowing it, Henry's views wore off on him. For the Dorian before he met Henry, he didn't seem the type who would do that. But this Dorian, all he seemed concerned about was making Sybil famous, and being able to go about bragging, "She is my wife!"
But I am eager to find out what happens next!
I know, Wilde is such a good author, his detail is wonderful and not dull. When he is describing a flower, or a bee, or a summer day, it is like he is painting a picture with an expert hand. Swurling colors across the page, but with words. I am always transfized as I read, it is like I am carried to another world. I just love his discriptions!
Oh, I didn't know he wrote plays! Which ones?
I think I remember catching a glimpse of a man on a donkey, but of course it went to fast so I was never able to see for sure. When the DVD comes I will have to play it slow and keep and eye out for Silenus as well.
Quite odd, we didn't talk about that! We actually forgot something! Hmm, and here I thought we had covered everything :D.
Well, I am not sure about that scene. I always thought, after the battle and everything, it was kind of dull to go into all this other stuff about them walking through a town. But now I can see the spiritual meaning behind it, how Aslan called certain people to him. So, I would rather have liked them to leave in the part where they were walking through town, but with the change I can see why they left it out. So, I am not quite certain how I feel on that matter, you?
Come to think of it I think I have heard some people say that, that LWW had more of a message then PC. The first time I saw PC I missed a lot of the message, but the second and thrid time it got clearer and clearer. Hmm, odd that non believers can see the message but believers can't. I wonder why that is? Maybe, maybe Christains don't notice it, I mean maybe we have become so used to following the world we don't stop to think about it, and miss the message when someone says, "Look, follow Christ, not the world!" But every time I see it I am amazed at the clearness of the message, all through it, I am very pleased with the way they brough it out and now understand why Doug Greashem was smirking in the interviews.
Yes, I suppose there is a lot of expectaion on all the actors. We are all hoping Barnes can pull of an older, wiser, and yet tempered Caspian as well as he pulled off a younger and innoceter, That is probably not a word, but as well as he did a younger Caspian.
Then there is Ed, though the actor has not as much to change he still has a hard character to play. Now Ed is older, has to act more of the older brother and look after Lucy now that Peter isn't around, and it doesn't help any that he always has to look after Eustace.
I have always felt that, no matter how much Eustace changed, he and Edmund were never that good of friends, but maybe that was just me. Lucy, as is her nature, seems to just forgive him and forget all about how annoying he had been, Edmund and he, they just seemed to come to this agreement that they won't argue any more. But as for being good friends, I never really saw that.
Yes! I see what you mean! Ed's change involed death and sorrow. Eustace involed an over dose of humility and work :D. I love how the one man said, "Now that you are a dargon you can be very useful to us." And they put him to work, more work then if he had been a boy.
That was always so sad, I felt so bad for Caspian, getting left behind, loosing his dearest friends! I know! Sure Narnia was around for 100s of years before Lucy came, but she, well as you said, she is a part of it. To not let her come back, yeah, doesn't seem right!
I think Lucy was an example of those Christians who are so close to God it seems they are already a part of Heaven and don't belong to earth. And no one can deny it, out of ANY of the others, Lucy was the closest to Aslan. She understood him better then any of the others.
Maybe Lewis didn't write a good bye scene for Lucy as Edmund as a way to sort of promise that they would come back.
But yes, that is going to be so sad in the movie! It was sad enough when Peter and Susan left. And then Lucy looked back at Aslan as though to say, "Don't make me go, let me stay with you forever." It just showed her devoted love for him! So lovely.
I think the earth is flat line was, well just perfect for Caspian to say! And I agree, it had better be in the movie! Barnes would be good at doing it. I just love that line, "You mean you live on a round world, and you never told me!" That was just so funny!! And very much like something Caspian would say, er, that made no sence as he was the one who said it.
Oh the fight by the lake! Oh that part I am eager to see to! That will be good! I can see the two actors pulling it off well. Yes, it would be like that. The rively between Caspian and Peter now passing on to Edmund and Caspian for a moment. And then Alsan coming and Caspian saying, "What was I saying? I think I was making an idot of myself."
I know, they REALLY have to stop moving the date for VDT back! It is really cruel to us!
Lucy seems the type who has to have someone to rely on, someone she can trust. It was Peter in the first two, and now Caspian. But it would be nice to see some bonding between her and Ed as you said. He did seem always there looking after her, though not in the same way Peter was.I think her relationship with Ed is unique. I think of Ed as not one to show fondness as Peter, not as openly. I think he kind of kept it hidden but you knew he liked you. Like Lucy, she would never have doubted he loved her and looked after her even though he wasn't as open about it as Peter.
Like up on the cliff in PC. When they went the other way. Ed never said anything to her, he just gave her a kind look, one that seemed to say, "I understand." Wherein if it had been Peter he probably would have wrapped his arm about her and comfort her openly. If that makes sence.
When the bear attacked both were equally concerned for her, but it was Peter who held her and Ed just stood there, ready should the bear jump up.
I like how, in the pictures, Will is nearly always beside Georgie. Always hugging her or has his arm around her shoulders. You can tell that in the movie that they were really close in real life. And I just love how Will said, "Ben will look after them, and if not I told Skander to put him in his place." Or something like that. Just the fact that he would care about her that much and make sure that she was going to be well looked after while they filmed the next movie. In fact, I would pity Barnes if something did happen to her, as Will would probably come after him.
VDt is one of, probably my most, favorite one as well. I just love the story! SC is a close 2nd though, or a fight for first!
Yes!! You hit it right on the head! That is what I have been trying to say, but couldn't find the words! I know the BBC was following the books, but they just left so much out! The characters are, well, Susan was potrayed as almost perfect as was Lucy, and though Lucy in the book is sweet and innocent and everything, she wasn't perfect! Peter, he was next to perfect too. And, yeah, they are diffinty children's movies! I don't like the Caspian either, the younger one was fine, I liked him, but the older on. I am not sure why, but I don't like him that much. He just seems so, pridictable. Like you KNOW what he is going to do next. But, it will do until the new one comes out! I know the characters in the books, at first glance, are smiple characters.
As an example. You can discribe them all in one word, Peter brave, Lucy innocent, Edmund bold (Well okay his is harder) Susan bosy. That is just at first glance. Once you read the books and actually get to know the characters, as you have helped me to do, you find that Lucy was also brave, had an understanding for Narnia, and so on. In the old movies they left this out. The characters are so pridictable. In the new movies they actually go more into the characters, and bring out all those things that are hidden when one first reads the books. If that made any sence?
The more I think about it the more it does seem that everything was rushed between Caspian and the Star's daughter! I mean he didn't even talk to her that much, just stelthly tried to kiss her :). And yeah, I agree, after the thing with Susan it is almost like the have to make her have a bigger role, or it will make Caspian seem like he goes about kissing every pretty girl he sees. I like your idea, of having her go with them! In fact, now that I think about it, she was a very interesting character, it would be great to get to see more of her! Besides, I have always thought that one cannot fall in love at first sight, I mean they have no idea what kind of character that person has, so it would be nice for Caspian and her to get to know each other better, I think :).
I agree about that line. To be honest, every time I hear it or read it I go, "I can't believe you said that Caspian!" And laugh. It is just so, rediculous I guess, and so funny that Caspian, resonable Caspian, would be the one to say it.
Oh I agree! Getting to see Caspian REALLY in love. Ah, that will be cute! You have just got me excited to see one of the scenes I was not too eager to see :D. I am not very romantic, but in some things I am, and now I am looking forward to actually seeing Caspian fall in love! :D In fact I am excited to see the movie and can't wait!
Actually I could never get tired to listening to, er reading, to you talking. As I said, you are the only one who will discuss Narnia with me and pick it all to pieces and go over every little think :D. So the longer the comment, the more delighted I am :D.
Oh, I have been doing some, hmm, study, on Johnatan in the Bible. I know this probably looks out of place, but oh well.
I think, in everyone's reading of David, Johnatan gets forgotten a lot. But this was one great guy! The more I read about him the more I admire him! Here was a guy who, after probably looking forward to ruling his father's throne for years, saw it given to an unknow shepherd boy. And rather then get upset, he befriended this boy! I think Johnatan was one of the most honorble men in the Bible! He was wonderful!
*sigh* well I should go! I have a lot to do.
Have a great day! Heather
Edited by MaidenCapitolaBallot on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 6:31 AM
Thursday, September 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
I think McCain's pick for VP is good. She conservative, which is really good, and has experience. Which, I can't believe the liberal media is trying to say she doesn't have enough experience to be vice president - wait, what about Obama? argggggs. I absolutely love what John Thompson had said at the Republican National Convention (i think it was) - oh, Obama's just going to raise taxes for the businesses, so unless you buy food, clothing, or work for a business, it won't be a problem for you. HAHAHAHAHAHA of course, he said it funnier than I can type it. lol
Heehee. My mom suggested an ice cream party at Friendly's, that sounds yummmmy. :D
LOL Yes, expensive. bleh. Well, I just uploaded one of my first projects to my gallery. :)
Jennifer
Thursday, September 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
STOP READING!
I can't keep up.
I can't even seem to get caught up on blogging.
Or the books I'm currently reading.
And then you make me want to read more.
SO STOP IT!
=D
Thursday, September 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by hotlipsbarton
I Love Cary Grant.
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