Well i don't know about you guys but i am really happy to be reading a book that has a story again. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the other Lewis books as well but i just get more into a book that has a story because i can get into the story. I care about the characters and what happens next, especially when an author like Lewis makes in interesting. So having said that, what kind of C.S. Lewis books are your favorite? Do you like the books with a story? Or the non-fiction books?
posted by $tovetop at 8:35 PM
4 Comments:
I think I enjoy Lewis most in his nonfiction work. I really liked the Narnia Chronicles when I read them and I am also enjoying Till We Have Faces (a lot), but not as much as say The Problem of Pain or The Four Loves. When I read fiction I become the characters and while this is a great way to struggle through issues of morality, fiction focuses more on a storyline than on supporting the arguments faced in the book. It helps me more to have the argument laid out with support. I enjoy both … but I guess learning over entertainment.
A comment from Anna, who's having blog issues...
I do not think fiction should have a bad reputation. In fact, it may be an excellent way to explore a timeless truth in a way that is understood by all people (so anthropologists say) in the form of the story (or “myth”). Oftentimes, a story may be the best way to address an idea, or a concept that otherwise might be extremely difficult (or even awkward) to express in a form other than fiction.
Thus, I have to say that I am partial to the fiction works of C. S. Lewis. It is not that I do not like the non-fictional writings; it is simply that, out of all Lewis’ books, most of my favorites have some “fictional” element in them: e.g. Till We Have Faces, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, The Screwtape Letters . . . and even some of his Poetry . . .
I must say, however, that to make an ultimate decision between the fictional and the non-fictional writings is difficult – and, quite frankly, I am a bit hesitant to report my preference, as I am not entirely sure I will think the same thing tomorrow, or next week, or . . . My mood changes; I cannot help it . . . (Most unfortunately, a lot about “preference” seems to depend upon what mood one is “in” at a given time.) Thus, a time may come when I may say something like, “Well, my favorite book by Lewis has always been TILL WE HAVE FACES, but today I think I would prefer MERE CHRISTIANITY . . .”
I hope that made sense.
Anna
In the end all of C.S. Lewis's books,whether fiction or non-fiction, we are engaged and ecouraged to think. Thinking is good, however their are times were I become discouraged and then ultimately complacent and look for easy reads to calm my mind down from endless debates ranging from epistemological debates (truth claims), linguistics, the role of meta-narritves, and so on... Sometimes my mood permits me to sit down and enjoy an easy read. I would consider Till We Have Faces very enjoyable. Probably my favorite book so far. And even though I consider it an easy read it is only beacause Lewis permits us to think as much as we want about certain things. So the thinking is left up to us, so I am able to relax, take a deep breath and enjoy a retelling of an old myth.
Is what I am saying making sense, because I know sometimes my thoughts seems more reasonan;e in my head, but when I try to bring them out it comes out as something different than what I want to portray?
I am more inclined toward his non-fiction books, but Lewis is a different kind of author then most people are. He writes a mixture of both fiction and non-fiction. So, in reading a little bit of both it is giving me a new angle at looking at his books as a Christian. The non-fiction I like, 'cause I feel I can relate it more personally to my pursuit of finding out more about what I base my faith on.
The fiction books play a role as well. They help me develop my imagination more, and the concrete images given, such as the Aslan as a Lion, gives me more concrete images when I think of my Christian faith.
Also, in being called to be a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I should be exposed to a wide variety of reading genres, so that I may engage both non-Christians who like more fiction or more non-fiction types of books.
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