There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry--
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll--
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul--

-Emily Dickinson


November, 2010. This is when I had an epiphany that I knew nothing about literature. What exactly prompted this revelation, I don't remember. But what I did after that was print off "BBC's Top 100 Books" list in order to expand my horizons. (Although I'm aware that there are plenty of books omitted from the list, as well as new books constantly being published, this is intended simply to help me be acquainted with literature.) I challenged myself to read all of the books on the list. One year later, I've realized it will take much longer than expected. With only 7 of the 100 books read, this task seems daunting and unrealistic. While some may think it's somewhat masochistic, some may think it's an admirable goal. I guess it depends on the book I'm reading. Frequently I'll read a book that is not on this long list. I used to apologize for it, but I'm assuming hardly anyone reads it anyways.

I started by critiquing the books and authors, but the purpose for writing has changed over the years. The purpose of this blog isn't necessarily to write reviews for the benefit of high school procrastinators or for eagerly researching book-readers or for really anyone besides me. It's a documentation of my own progress as a learner and a reader, as well as being wonderfully cathartic. Books elicit an emotional response, which allows me to explore my own beliefs about life and spirituality.

As of Sunday, June 21st, 2015, I have read twenty-six books on the list. This is hopefully subject to change, and will be updated regularly...or more accurately, as regularly as I finish a book, which isn't always regular.


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis

Read Tenth on December 27, 2011.

You may ask yourself, "Why is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe a separate number on the list than The Chronicles of Narnia?"

The answer I do not know. But it makes it easier for me, so I'm happy for it!

I had not read this before. I had seen the movie before I read the book, and I found a little surprise during my adventures in Narnia which they either omitted from the movie or has left my horribly vacant memory: What the heck is Santa Claus doing in this book? I first found it peculiar that it even mentioned Christmas at all in describing the spell of the winter where Christmas never comes. But then Father Christmas shows up in his sleigh and with his reindeer and gives the three children weapons for Christmas. I'm horribly reminded of a certain movie my sister and I found at the Movie Gallery with an especially terrible selection of media. It was called "Santa's Slay." No, not sleigh, as in the giant sled Santa travels in with Rudolph; slay, as in brutal, barbaric, messy homicide.

The Movie Gallery is since-then closed and run out of business.

But now that I think about it, it kind of makes a little bit more sense. We all know about the symbolism of Aslan dying for Edmund's treachery, coming back to life as a part of the Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time, which entails that whomever is in no fault, but for the fault of another's betrayal, is killed, then death reverses itself. This obviously represents the resurrection of Christ. Lewis was a die-hard Christian, and of course Christmas has to be in the book somehow. 

But notice I said "a little bit more sense." He still stuck Santa Claus where, in my opinion, he doesn't belong. Fiction is not a genre, and any number of fictitious characters do not necessarily belong in one work of fiction. Santa belongs in its own "Oh, dear heavens, some one is out to steal Christmas!" movie. Not in this.

All in all, though, the five hours I spent on reading it was not a waste. I did enjoy it, even though I've been bashing it for quite a while now.

*Also for your enjoyment: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446192/
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