Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - February Book Reviews
Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis
When most people think of C.S. Lewis' fiction, they think of Narnia. If you are more familiar with the author, you might think about the Space Trilogy or even Till We Have Faces. If you are very into Lewis, you might have even picked up The Dark Tower and some other of his short stories and unfinished novels. But most people, I can bet, haven't read this--Lewis first piece of fiction.
Possibly, this could be because Lewis wrote this collection starting at the age of eight. While it doesn't at all resemble Narnia, Lewis and his brother Warnie spent hours over their childhood inventing Animal Land.
This published edition features all the surviving stories of Animal Land--including the humorous anecdotes, geography, history, civilization, culture, and social issues going on in this great imaginary country. It also includes a few of young Jack's inventive illustrations.
While of course this is not an award winning piece of fiction, if you are interested in Lewis, it is worth it to see his earliest work of fiction. The affect is humorous, yet fascinating as you see how different his writing was at age eight versus age fifty-eight!
God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics
Essays on theology and ethics?!? You might ask. It doesn't sound the most...uh..interesting, does it?
It is. It's C.S. Lewis. It has to be.
This book of essays is divided into three parts--the theological, the semi-theological, and the secular ethical. Each section deals with various problems--everything from Lewis' thoughts on capital punishment, war, and other social issues, to his thoughts on theological problems themselves--from prayer to apologetics.
This is a great collection of essays--some of the best on Christianity offered by a great mind!
Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories
While most of the "stories" in this collection are published in The Dark Tower and Other Stories, which I've read, the essays in this collection are brand new to me. They cover primarily literature, ranging on subjects such as science fiction and writing for children. Lewis also takes time to discuss both Narnia and his own Space Trilogy--something he rarely does. For that reason alone this is a worthy text.
Lewis spends a good deal of time on three essays in particular. First, one on writing for children. As someone who would love to write for kids, that aspect of it was fascinating. Lewis presented the idea that when writing for children you must write what you would like to read yourself. Although children have different tastes than adults sometimes, adults don't have to have different tastes than children. He points out mistakes authors make--such as writing things they think are boring but because they think kids would be into it. Second, Lewis discusses science fiction in depth. He discusses Verne, Wells, and other sci-fi writers, giving his thoughts on the history of sci fi and on the genre itself. How do you really accomplish writing in this genre? Lewis does his best to answer that question. Finally, Lewis' essay on criticism is great for any budding author or reader to read. Other works include publisher's notes, and a very humorous interview conducted not too long before Lewis' final illness.
Narrative Poems (C.S. Lewis)
I admit--I'm not a huge poetry person. But I do love narrative poetry. And I love C.S. Lewis--so how could I not love this collection of every narrative poem Lewis wrote?
First we begin with Dymer. This poem was written by Lewis as a young man. He began it at age seventeen, and it was published when he was twenty-eight. In an ironic turn of events, it tells the story of a man who throws off the bonds of a totalitarian society and faces his own monsters (literally).
Next, we have Launcelot and the Nameless Isle, but shorter poems but fascinating. Finally, another longer poem, called the Queen of the Drum. This was probably my favorite, with rich imagery and symbolism.
If you aren't into narrative poetry, you may struggle with these poems. Narrative poetry is fun and beautiful, but learn to love it the more you read it. I wouldn't try these poems to begin with, but if you do like narrative poetry, I would recommend these poems.
East of Eden
This book was not quite what I expected. I knew the story--I thought it was about two brothers. Apparently, that's only part of the story. Unfortunately, it is the best part, and the first two hundred pages of back story could have been compressed into fifty.
Once you get past that, though, the next four hundred pages telling of Cal and Aron are quite fascinating. These two brothers symbolize Cain and Abel. Their mother abandons them as babies, and their father is at first distant. These two boys grow up very close, but very different. Aron is good and likeable, while Cal is deep, dark, and mysterious. The characterizations of these brothers is by far the best part of the story. They are two great literary characters and their relationships to each other, their family, and their friends is a great glimpse into human character.
I don't usually make disclaimers with my books as far as who I recommend them to. While I enjoy some books and can learn from them, that doesn't mean I would give them to everyone who reads my blog. Some of the stuff I've read, while not in itself bad, I just wouldn't want to hand over to any twelve year old. I think that goes without saying--just because I've read it doesn't mean you younger folks shouldn't check it out with your parents first. I always assumed you folks were smart enough to know that. However, with this book I do have to make a bit of a disclaimer. There is nothing really graphic in this book--but I know that Steinbeck sometimes is read at an earlier age . People see The Grapes of Wrath movie then assume all of Steinbeck's stuff is equally fitting for kids. It's not. First, Steinbeck's mom should have washed his mouth out with soap. Haha! Like I said, though, there's nothing horribly graphic about this book (not trying to scare you older people away from it!) but it does deal with some more mature issues--at least I wouldn't recommend it for the middle school set, no matter how much you enjoyed Of Mice and Men. There, that's said. Good.
The Artist as Critic: Critical Writings of Oscar Wilde
Wilde is the king of a lot, in my humble opinion. Plays, poetry, even a novel--he's done it all and done it well. This is the first bit of non-fiction I've read, though. I was unsurprisingly impressed.
Wilde discusses all aspects of art and criticism in this series of essays. Whether he is talking about Americans, painting, or poetry, he makes his opinions clear in his humorous and witty style.
Perhaps the most interesting piece in this book, though, is his analysis of Willie Hughes, a young boy whom is believed to be the subject of some of Shakespeare's sonnets. Wilde explores exactly who Hughes could be (albeit a stretched story that he made up, some critics now believe it to be closer to the mark than even Wilde thought) and makes this an almost detective story and literary criticism rolled into one!
A great collection of essays on criticisms!
Nicholas Nickleby
Nicholas Nickleby has a great name. That alone makes this book awesome! However, I'm wiling to say that Dickens also did a nice job in writing a decent story, not just creating nice alliteration in name.
Nicholas Nickleby, after the death of his father, is left to support his mother and younger sister. He is only nineteen, and takes a job as an assistant at a boarding school. There he finds out that this seemingly respectable school is a place of abuse and cruelty to the young boys in it. He leaves--but not before he has made some enemies--and of course, some friends. Meanwhile, his sister tries to find her way in the world, hoping to contribute to the family. Unfortunately, like her brother, she is startled to find that the world isn't nearly so nice a place as she thought it was.
While a great story, it does drag a bit. I've always thought Dickens was great at beginning and ends, but sometimes he just let things go on a bit long in between. There was about two-three hundred pages in the middle that just made me want it to speed up. Maybe that's just the nature of something written as a serial.
Regardless, it is still a nice story, especially if you love Dickens.
Julius Caesar
Some people are surprised to hear I'm not a huge Shakespeare person. They know I love British lit, so they just assume I'm a follower of the Bard. I'm not really...sure, I read Lamb's Book of Shakespeare when I was eight; I've read quite a few of his plays since then; I've listened to them on tape and I've seen several of them a few times (Romeo and Juliet more times than I care to mention..gah, my least favorite of Shakespeare!). However, I never really connected with Shakespeare.
At least not until now.
And I realized, that part of it is, that I've never read Shakespeare properly. He wasn't meant to just be read, he was meant to be watched. And by better performers than Bob Jones University has to offer. No offense, of course.
So with Julius Caesar, I not only read it. I re-read it. I read it cover to cover twice, then read portions over and over. I've memorized parts. I'm still working on Antony's funeral speech ("Friend, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!"). I watched it (Brando version, of course). Multiple times.
I felt like I did it right. And I haven't enjoyed something so much in a long time.
Of course, it isn't just what I did. Caesar itself is a great play, the best of Shakespeare, in my opinion. It is a play of politics, glory, love, loyalty, and it is all a blaze of fire, action, and eloquent speech. There is nothing comparable to it.
If you aren't familiar with the story, basically--Caesar is offered the crown, and the senators in Rome don't like it. They are afraid he'll go to far and become a tyrant. Led by Brutus, they kill him, but his good friend Mark Antony manipulates the plebeians into waging war on these Senators.
There is so much depth in this play, about human emotions, struggles, revenge...it is the most complex of anything Shakespeare wrote, as far as I'm concerned. Brutus is conflicted as he wonders what is the right thing to do ("I loved Caesar but I loved Rome more"). Antony plays the loyal friend and comes across as a great leader. Antony is so well defined, that he is fast becoming one of my new favorite fictional characters.
Yet if you are going to read it, do it right. Don't make the mistake I've made with Shakespeare all this time. He takes time, but in the end it is worth it. Make sure you don't just read it, but watch it, as it was meant to be. For Julius Caesar, I highly recommend the 1953 version with Marlon Brando, James Mason, Deborah Kerr, and Greer Garson. It captures the essence beautifully. If you don't watch Shakespeare as well as read it, it might just be Greek to you!
Comments
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Heeey!
Guess what? I got on! hahaha
Sooo replying to your comment on Becoming Jane:
Yes, Becoming Jane was pretty good, I'm just not sure on how much was actual facts or speculation or made up. I know it was base don a book called Becoming Jane. Yep, Anne Hathaway is in it, with a British accent. heehee Yeah, I love Ella Enchanted.
I've got to reply to more comments, ttfn!
Jennifer
Thursday, March 5, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
So, do you like C.S. Lewis? ;o)
I may order the Caeser that has the Kerr dressing! I love that actress!
Friday, March 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Charlotte
I watched the Brando version too, when I studying J.C. in Lit class. I really enjoyed it, and I thought Brutus and Marc Antony were especially well played! It made me enjoy the play that much more.
Saturday, March 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Yay!!! So glad you were able to comment! I'm sorry I've not been on in so long!!! Crazy!
GB~
Sharla~
Sunday, March 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChristineDaae
Hey,
I'm sorry it's taken me so so long to get back to you. We were actually at another tourney, which was the one in Northern Virginia, NVCC. Arya and her TP partner broke! They were twelfth place TP team out of thirty nine. I'm so excited for them.
Arya has facebook under a different name. No, this is not her real name either, but I think you can find her under Kelly Amedick. She's planning to maybe change it to her name sometime soon, so I'll let you know if she does.
Thanks for the *hug* and the nice words about Tagg. We are planning to get another Westie in a few weeks which I'm excited about, but we all still miss him a lot.
God bless.
In Christ,
Christine
Monday, March 9, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChristineDaae
By the way- that is awesome that you were accepted to PHC! Arya really, really wants to go there. Congrats! What is the other college you applied to? What do you want to major in?
In Christ,
Christine
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
By the way, Arya and I have a message for you. (1, 2, 3-
"PLEASE COME TO IMPACT!" Lol, but seriously, I hope you can make it! I'd love to meet you in person, we both would. It's coming up so fast! *Shudders* too fast...
In Christ,
Christine
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