I appreciated the emphases on rekindling our wonder at the Incarnation and letting the true story of Christ be the story we use to make sense of our oI appreciated the emphases on rekindling our wonder at the Incarnation and letting the true story of Christ be the story we use to make sense of our own individual life stories. I downgraded my rating by an additional star, however, because I was bothered that Tripp's dominant ways of talking about sin seemed to be through metaphors of brokenness and sickness/disease. If your hamartiology goes down that road far enough, sin simply becomes an unfortunate thing outside your control rather than a wicked rebellion against God for which you are morally culpable....more
This latest addition to the Green Ember universe is a good blending of fantasy and mystery. I liked the plot, the pacing, the suspense, and (as alwaysThis latest addition to the Green Ember universe is a good blending of fantasy and mystery. I liked the plot, the pacing, the suspense, and (as always) the characters. Some of the humor felt forced, but it's not unbearable. Regardless, I do think S.D. Smith's writing keeps getting better with every book he releases. ...more
"At length she gently pushed me away, and with the words, 'Go, my son, and do something worth doing,' turned back, and, entering the cottage, closed t"At length she gently pushed me away, and with the words, 'Go, my son, and do something worth doing,' turned back, and, entering the cottage, closed the door behind her."
A seminal work of fantasy and my first foray into George MacDonald. No wonder he meant so much to C.S. Lewis! We are all Anodos—learning how to make our journey through this life toward the next with purpose, learning how to love rather than seeking to be loved, learning how to see ourselves as we truly are, and learning how to be enchanted once again. Fairy Land is a true gift....more
An outstanding story whether you're reading it or listening to it. Although I still prefer reading Lord of the Rings, the Rob Inglis-narrated audiobooAn outstanding story whether you're reading it or listening to it. Although I still prefer reading Lord of the Rings, the Rob Inglis-narrated audiobooks definitely have their own kind of magic, especially in how they bring the songs and character voices to life. I will gladly listen to these again someday. ...more
"They, looking back, all th' eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. The gate With dreadful faces th"They, looking back, all th' eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. The gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped but wiped them soon. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. They hand in hand with wand'ring steps and slow Through Eden took their solitary way."
What an achievement for English literature. Milton's Christian epic is simultaneously one of the most challenging and most rewarding classics I've read (and reread). It's not a work to be rushed, but savored. The poetry and pathos are stellar.
The particular edition I used is the Norton Critical Edition. Although I can't speak to the helpfulness of the literary criticism in the back of the book since I don't have time to read it all right now, I can say that the annotations, glossary, and modernized spelling/punctuation definitely aid understanding while reading. ...more
This story works so well as an audiobook! I could listen to Treebeard's song on repeat. This story works so well as an audiobook! I could listen to Treebeard's song on repeat. ...more
“My dear man, if you hadn’t been here I’d have sent for you. Now let’s get to business. Of course, I’m settin’ off with the assumption that old Gerald“My dear man, if you hadn’t been here I’d have sent for you. Now let’s get to business. Of course, I’m settin’ off with the assumption that old Gerald didn’t do it.” “I’m sure he didn’t,” agreed Parker. “No, no,” said Wimsey, “that isn’t your line. Nothing rash about you—nothing trustful. You are expected to throw cold water on my hopes and doubt all my conclusions.”
So far, so good with Lord Peter Wimsey. Great mystery, with plenty of charm and wit. I quite like the premise of the detective having to prove the innocence of one of his own family members....more
Fourth time rereading Lord of the Rings, first time using the much-acclaimed audiobooks narrated by Rob Inglis. I loved entering into the story this wFourth time rereading Lord of the Rings, first time using the much-acclaimed audiobooks narrated by Rob Inglis. I loved entering into the story this way (the highlight for me was hearing all of the songs!) and look forward to listening to the rest. ...more
"The first qualification for judging any piece of workmanship from a corkscrew to a cathedral is to know what it is—what it was intended to do and how"The first qualification for judging any piece of workmanship from a corkscrew to a cathedral is to know what it is—what it was intended to do and how it is meant to be used."
Consistently scholarly, never boring. Yet another book chock full of Lewisian wisdom. An excellent way to get your bearings before reading Paradise Lost. Lewis will rescue you from reading Milton's masterpiece improperly, through a modern lens, and instead show you how to read it as Milton actually intended. Along the way, you will learn much not only about Paradise Lost but also about epic poetry as a whole. ...more
Every page kept my interest. Though I've already had many encounters with C.S. Lewis's life and work, this book's focus on the friendship between him Every page kept my interest. Though I've already had many encounters with C.S. Lewis's life and work, this book's focus on the friendship between him and Dorothy L. Sayers revealed yet another side to one of my favorite authors. Getting to know Sayers better, too, was just as exciting since I've only just this year started delving into her writing. If you love either or both of these authors, this is a book you'll want to read. ...more
"Invention rest, Comparisons go play, wit use thy will: Less than the least Of all God's mercies, is my posy still."
George Herbert is one of my favorit"Invention rest, Comparisons go play, wit use thy will: Less than the least Of all God's mercies, is my posy still."
George Herbert is one of my favorite poets. This collection is full of beautiful gems in language, form, and theme. Surely some of the greatest devotional poetry ever written....more
Having enjoyed Gyasi's debut novel, Homegoing, I was looking forward to reading this one. Although the family drama aspect of the story is quite movinHaving enjoyed Gyasi's debut novel, Homegoing, I was looking forward to reading this one. Although the family drama aspect of the story is quite moving, this novel ultimately bit off more than it could chew. The answers supplied just didn't measure up to the questions asked....more
"And as I surveyed them from this point, all the other heavenly bodies appeared to be glorious and wonderful,—now the stars were such as we have never"And as I surveyed them from this point, all the other heavenly bodies appeared to be glorious and wonderful,—now the stars were such as we have never seen from this earth; and such was the magnitude of them all as we have never dreamed; and the least of them all was that planet, which farthest from the heavenly sphere and nearest to our earth, was shining with borrowed light, but the spheres of the stars easily surpassed the earth in magnitude—already the earth itself appeared to me so small, that it grieved me to think of our empire, with which we cover but a point, as it were, of its surface."
"'I see,' said Africanus, 'that you are even now regarding the abode and habitation of mankind. And if this appears to you as insignificant as it really is, you will always look up to these celestial things and you won't worry about those of men. For what renown among men, or what glory worth the seeking, can you acquire?'"
"'Therefore, if you will choose to look aloft and fix your gaze on this our resting-place and eternal home, nor ever enslave thyself to the rumours of the rabble, nor stake the hope of your life on the rewards of men: virtue must draw you by her own attraction to true glory.'"...more
"He left the coffee-scented warmth of the Main Street Grill and stood for a moment under the green awning. The honest cold of an early mountain spring"He left the coffee-scented warmth of the Main Street Grill and stood for a moment under the green awning. The honest cold of an early mountain spring stung him sharply. He often noted the minor miracle of passing through a door into a completely different world, with different smells and attractions. It helped to be aware of the little things in life, he told himself, and he often exhorted his congregation to do the same."
"He’d never relished planning his own recreation; he simply wasn’t good at it. He was prone to turn recreation into something practical, to justify the time and expense."
"He hadn’t known the truth then, but he felt he knew it now—yes, he was too scared to rest."
This novel knows exactly what it wants to be: "the pause that refreshes" (Mayor Cunningham's description of Mitford) and a reminder that "Life and the world are astonishing things" (attributed to William Wordsworth). Surely we can all resonate to some degree with Father Tim's fear of rest and his struggle to let leisure just be leisure. Surely our vision grows dim to the wonder of being alive and the joy of life's simple pleasures. Without denying the reality of living in a fallen world (even Mitford's citizens know hurt and heartache), At Home in Mitford invites us to press pause, be delighted, feel at home, and find refreshment before we return to the responsibilities of our own lives.
For a number of reasons, I wasn't able to read this book quickly. But that's just fine. I genuinely looked forward to spending time in Mitford each night before bed. I enjoyed stepping into Father Tim's life and meeting the charming cast of characters all around him. I laughed often—perhaps the highest compliment I can pay this novel, considering how hard it is for a book to actually get me to laugh out loud. And I am excited that several other Mitford novels still await me!...more
"Niggle's Picture!" said Parish in astonishment. "Did you think of all this, Niggle? I never knew you were so clever. Why didn't you tell me?" "He trie"Niggle's Picture!" said Parish in astonishment. "Did you think of all this, Niggle? I never knew you were so clever. Why didn't you tell me?" "He tried to tell you long ago," said the man; "but you would not look. He had only got canvas and paint in those days, and you wanted to mend your roof with them. This is what you and your wife used to call Niggle's Nonsense, or That Daubing." "But it did not look like this then, not real," said Parish. "No, it was only a glimpse then," said the man; "but you might have caught the glimpse, if you had ever thought it worth while to try."
Just amazing how much meaningful ground Tolkien covers in this allegorical short story. Per the Literary Life Podcast, "Leaf by Niggle" is "the embodiment of [Tolkien's] principles in 'On Fairy-Stories.'" So if you know that essay, be sure to check out this story to see those principles incarnated.
Really though, the whole story is Tolkien's heart laid bare to readers: how he viewed his art and his artistic process, how he reconciled his artistic calling with the responsibilities of daily life, how he hoped to be remembered by others and used by God. Yet despite how intimately personal this short story is, it is also wonderfully universal. All of us can connect to Niggle's journey in some way. ...more
Sometimes long-winded and difficult to understand when the examples used are unfamiliar, but an absolutely essential essay for understanding Tolkien, Sometimes long-winded and difficult to understand when the examples used are unfamiliar, but an absolutely essential essay for understanding Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, and other good "fairy-stories." The ending (Recovery, Escape, Consolation and Epilogue sections) is pure gold and one of my favorite bits of writing ever....more
"Can I," said Lord Peter, looking at himself in the eighteenth-century mirror over the mantelpiece, "can I have the heart to fluster the flustered Thi"Can I," said Lord Peter, looking at himself in the eighteenth-century mirror over the mantelpiece, "can I have the heart to fluster the flustered Thipps further—that’s very difficult to say quickly—by appearing in a top-hat and frock-coat? I think not. Ten to one he will overlook my trousers and mistake me for the undertaker. A grey suit, I fancy, neat but not gaudy, with a hat to tone, suits my other self better. Exit the amateur of first editions; new motive introduced by solo bassoon; enter Sherlock Holmes, disguised as a walking gentleman."
Considering my love of mysteries, I'm not sure how I made it this long without reading any by Dorothy Sayers. All's right with the world now. Although I seriously doubt any detective can ever supplant Sherlock Holmes in my bookish heart (he captured my attention as a child even before Nancy Drew did!), Lord Peter Wimsey certainly has a charm and complexity that make me eager to continue with this series. In many ways, I found him more intriguing than the mystery he was trying to solve. (Bunter was great, too!)...more
"Leave me. Kindness isn’t kind if it’s unwanted. Let me lie here, girls. I have been felled by suffering: past, present and to come."
My goodness, the "Leave me. Kindness isn’t kind if it’s unwanted. Let me lie here, girls. I have been felled by suffering: past, present and to come."
My goodness, the emotion of this play is remarkable (and I was only reading it). I can't even imagine the power when performed on stage. Homer's The Iliad covers the Trojan War. Euripides' The Trojan Women covers the devastating aftermath through the perspective of the surviving Trojan women who await their fate from the Greeks. Through the women, we encounter different but realistic responses to grief: revenge, despair, lament, grim acceptance. We question along with them, "All this death and destruction because of a beautiful woman (Helen)? Why?" We realize, as they do, that the Greek gods bestow fortune or wreck lives according to their own ridiculous whims.
I think this play is a particularly compelling read for Christians—hence the reason I am willing to give it 5 stars even though I don't exactly endorse Greek mythology. Look at these gods compared to the God of the Bible. No wonder Hecuba realizes there's no point in calling out to her gods for help. Look at this play compared to the book of Lamentations. Both mourn the total destruction of a city. But whereas Lamentations ultimately centers itself in a beautiful declaration of hope (see Lamentations 3), The Trojan Women spirals downward to the death of every possible hope. Wow, just wow.
(The Literary Life Podcast's 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge - An ancient Greek play)...more
"We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces."
Per the subtitle, a trivial play for serious people. A brilliant, hilarious, charming, witty, penetr"We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces."
Per the subtitle, a trivial play for serious people. A brilliant, hilarious, charming, witty, penetrating satire of Victorianism. I nearly got whiplash trying to keep up with Oscar Wilde's cleverness.
(The Literary Life Podcast's 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge - A satire)...more
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