C.S. Lewis

[twyrch]

So I've read Mere Christianity, the Screwtape Letters, the Space Trilogy and the Chronicals of Narnia.

I loved the Chronicles of Narnia. I think that was the best work of fiction he has created.

What did you everyone else think of these works? Did you like something different?

[dinadan]

Narnia definitely rocks socks, but I'm a much bigger fan of the space trilogy. Elwin Ransom is by far one of the best characters in literature ever. Plus, I tend to view the space trilogy as a kind of syncrotism on Lewis' part; that is to say, he took elements of the creative genius of those he associated with (namely Barfield, Tolkien, and Williams), and fused them within his own non-traditional framework of Christianity and created something so spectacular that really does outshine a lot of things being produced at the same time that have become regarded as "classics." Of course, one problem Lewis has being recognized as a cannonical classic in literary discourse is that he's too overtly religious; modernism is fashionably non-religious, especially if that religion is Christianity. In all, though, I think it is the best thing he ever produced (that was not Narnia)--possibly excepting "The Four Loves."

[twyrch]

dinadan said:

Narnia definitely rocks socks, but I'm a much bigger fan of the space trilogy. Elwin Ransom is by far one of the best characters in literature ever. Plus, I tend to view the space trilogy as a kind of syncrotism on Lewis' part; that is to say, he took elements of the creative genius of those he associated with (namely Barfield, Tolkien, and Williams), and fused them within his own non-traditional framework of Christianity and created something so spectacular that really does outshine a lot of things being produced at the same time that have become regarded as "classics." Of course, one problem Lewis has being recognized as a cannonical classic in literary discourse is that he's too overtly religious; modernism is fashionably non-religious, especially if that religion is Christianity. In all, though, I think it is the best thing he ever produced (that was not Narnia)--possibly excepting "The Four Loves."

yes, the Space Trilogy was very awesome. And the Christian ebbs were all too evident. I think I liked Parlandra the best of the 3. The idea of creation getting a 2nd chance....

Tolkien, I believe, attempted this as well with the Silmarillion.

[dinadan]

Hmm...see I think of The Silmarillion more the way I look at The Magician's Nephew. There are also some interesting parallels (namely, Aslan creating Narnia as the proxy of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea, and the Valar creating Arda as the proxies of Illuvatar--also, the fact that in both instances these creations take the form of songs).

I think the thing to keep in mind is that Lewis isn't just re-imagining the events of creation and the fall, but with the space trilogy he is actively opening up the idea that yes, the Incarnation was a big deal FOR US, but that God is concerned with more than just us in the universe. That's a profound leap--and one that I think many super-consevative Christians who look at Lewis as a kind of spiritual inspiration should think about the next time they say they don't believe in extraterrestrial life because it isn't in the Bible. I think Lewis' response would be "Out there in all that, of course there is other life!"

That said, Perelandra really has some shining moments--and the scene where the Lord and Lady are invested with the powers of ruling their own world from the angelic beings presiding over it really was touching (not to mention explosive theologically). Also something to keep in mind is that while Lewis is writing fiction, he would never write something that didn't tally with him theologically (I maybe should make this point on the magic thread).

That being said, The Hideous Strength is my favorite by far. I love the odd-fellow collection of people at St. Anne's.

Also, on the subject of the Space Trilogy, has anyone read "The Dark Tower" fragment? I wish he had finished it, because I am really terribly interested in that long but strangely sensible explanation of time (which comes up at least tangentially in THS because it explains Merlin's presence in the novel).

[Riothamus]

Count me in as another "Space Trilogy" lover. It blew my mind when I read it--let's see, I was fourteen or so--and even though I've become more "ultra-conservative" since then, I still love the imaginative "what-if" conceptually. I think it's time I run through it again...high time. (Oh, and That Hideous Strength is also my favorite.)

Narnia's great, too, and deeper than one would think (those people over at NarniaWeb can get some big stuff out of those little books,) but I much prefer the adult novels, when Lewis didn't have to worry so much about "watchful dragons."

[Had to get this in:

he is actively opening up the idea that yes, the Incarnation was a big deal FOR US, but that God is concerned with more than just us in the universe.

The Incarnation's a big thing for the universe, too--remember that, after it took place, all other intelligent life was destined to assume a human form, according to the green lady in Perelandra. Just the pedant in me coming out again. ;D ]

[dinadan]

Oh dear. Yes, ok, I concede your point. However, my intent (although it came off poorly in my quick respose to twrch) is that the modus operandi of God on Earth is not the same as on other possible places. There is no need, as I see it, as many people like to argue that "Christ would have to die for other beings sins too"--that presupposes that other beings fell from grace. That was my point.

[twyrch]

dinadan said:

Oh dear. Yes, ok, I concede your point. However, my intent (although it came off poorly in my quick respose to twrch) is that the modus operandi of God on Earth is not the same as on other possible places. There is no need, as I see it, as many people like to argue that "Christ would have to die for other beings sins too"--that presupposes that other beings fell from grace. That was my point.

That is a very good point Dinadan and one I agree with. I've always felt it arrogant presumption on the part of humans that we are the only created beings God gave life to. When God said, "Let us form man in our image", maybe he left out the rest of his sentance...
"Let us form man in our image, this time...." Who's to say human kind isn't another of his creations?

Which begs this question.... Christ died for our sins. If another created race did the same thing, could he die again for their sins?

[Riothamus]

dinadan said:

Oh dear. Yes, ok, I concede your point. However, my intent (although it came off poorly in my quick respose to twrch) is that the modus operandi of God on Earth is not the same as on other possible places. There is no need, as I see it, as many people like to argue that "Christ would have to die for other beings sins too"--that presupposes that other beings fell from grace. That was my point.

I get your intent, and (more or less) agree in theory. As I say, I was being pedantic on that point--it's a weakness of mine. (As you may have noticed elsewhere. ;D )

[twyrch]

Riothamus said:

I get your intent, and (more or less) agree in theory. As I say, I was being pedantic on that point--it's a weakness of mine. (As you may have noticed elsewhere. ;D )

Pedantic... Good word use!

[twyrch]

Riothamus said:

Emperor: Rise, my friend.... [insert cackle]

LOL.... Superfluous Piffle is my favorite phrase...

[Child of Immanuel]

I love the space trilogy, but I was twelve when I read it first and That Hideous Strength really freaked me out. I wanted to go to another new planet! Perelandra was my favorite.

[dinadan]

As I said, Narnia rock socks. Not only because the stories and quick and good, but also because there are little nuggets of highly deep stuff in them. Rereading them is always a great pleasure (I read LLW and PC last night).

[Riothamus]

twyrch said:

LOL.... Superfluous Piffle is my favorite phrase...

I just might take that personally. [Incidentally, I decided you're right and deleted the post. What I meant to say was "thanks" ]

Posted by: dinadan Posted on: 02/11/2005 at 16:45:18
As I said, Narnia rock socks. Not only because the stories and quick and good, but also because there are little nuggets of highly deep stuff in them. Rereading them is always a great pleasure (I read LLW and PC last night).

Oh, yeah; and the more one learns about one's own faith, the better they get.

[dinadan]

I've often found that the more one learns about the author and his associates, the better they get. For example, as I have stated elsewhere, I often see Lewis as a Tolkien/Williams syncrotist; it's fun to see their influences on him, and how they come together in odd ways in his writing.

[Riothamus]

That, too. As a matter of fact, just about anything, any experiences of one's own--short of a conversion to an anti-writing cult--makes a good book better over time. The personal journey with the book is something I think highly of.