Dear Readers,
Well, it is March.
I haven’t been to see any good new movies. I have been keeping busy working and TAing for a class at
the college, so I am not quite sure what to write. So, I guess I will just update you a little about what I
have been reading and watching, and my recommendations there. So without further ado, Rants and Raves
2.
The class that I have been assisting in is about well-known
children’s author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. Most of my reading lately has been from Lewis’ works. We have been reading two essays a
week. I would recommend reading
several of these. In On the
Reading of Old Books Lewis discusses the value of reading books that are
not commonly read anymore. Any
students on literature, and anyone who reads generally should read this essay
because it brings up the importance of varying your reading, of experiencing
literature from different periods.
Lewis points out that different historical periods are inclined to
different errors in belief, and reading from various times highlights the
strengths and counters the deficiencies of the modern era. Fern Seeds and Elephants is an
excellent essay on the issues facing all literary critics, but particularly
those who engage in Biblical analysis.
While mentioning such basic principles as historical context and genre,
Lewis points out the supreme arrogance of much of the modern style of criticism
and the errors to which such critics are often prone. He particularly criticizes the assumption that any modern
scholar can have a more accurate understanding of the “real meaning” of a text
than those who shared with the author the assumptions, cultural understanding,
language and situation as the author.
I have also been reading some material from authors who
influenced Lewis; I just finished reading G.K. Chesterton’s Heretics. The book was a collection of essays about
various authors and literary themes.
The fascinating thing about Chesterton’s work is the way in which he
connects the work or author he is examining with the wider implications
inherent in the work and from there, to the impact on belief and
understanding. Addressing such
varied issues as poverty, cultural identity, alcoholism, and humanism,
Chesterton approaches his subjects with respect, but with a deeply critical eye
and the recognition that beliefs have consequences. Highly readable and very engaging, Heretics is an excellent book for anyone interested in
literature, philosophy, or theology.
It gets the reader thinking about the implication of their beliefs and
how their most deeply held convictions influence their day-to-day actions.
Towards the end of February, I read Richard Platt’s As
One Devil to Another, a novel written in
the same style of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, containing letters from a senior devil to a junior
tempter. Like Lewis’ Screwtape,
As One Devil to Another is a cutting look
at temptation in the modern world, and the difficulties of living a Christian
life with the distractions of technology, the independence, pride, and selfishness
that have become commonplace. Mr.
Platt’s book is highly readable and deeply convicting’ it succeeds well in its
goal of drawing attention to the difficulties of Christian life in an academic
world. The highest praise that I
can give for this style of writing is that I felt like the book was written for
me personally. The temptations
that the “patient” faced where instantly relatable and the strategies that the
devils employed were easily recognizable in my own personal struggles with
pride and ambition. The book was readable without being overly simplistic;
again capturing a style and language similar to that used by Lewis. While some readers might not be used to
eloquent language, I encourage them to keep reading. Like all truly valuable things in life, the more you are
willing to invest, the more you will get out of it. The language is not really that difficult, and if the reader
allows himself to become immersed in the story, any difficulties he might
encounter are quickly dispersed by the enjoyment of reading and a growing
appreciation of the elegance of good writing. I highly recommend that everyone
read this book, particularly Christians looking to pursue a career in academia.
For pleasure reading, I often go back to the fantasy
genre. As an avid fantasy reader
over the years I have enjoyed the works of Terry Brooks, particularly the
Shannara series. I have been
working my way through his latest trilogy in the world of Shannara: The
Wards of Faerie, The Bloodfire
Quest, and Witch Wraith. As
much as I love Terry Brook’s writing, however, I have been rather disappointed
with these latest books. Part of
the issue comes in continuing to write within the world of Shannara. Mr. Brooks has completed such a body of
work within this magical land that it is inevitable that some of the events and
themes will be reused. This
trilogy feels like a “best of” collection, a little bit from this book, a
concept from that, this quest threatened by that dangerous adversary. Having created such a diverse world,
with such a potential mix of characters and attributes after centuries of
families intermingling, it is frustrating that Mr. Brooks does not take
advantage of that situation: bringing back the old plots such as the failing of
the Forbidding, or the threat of the Federation, but introducing new and
dynamic characters instead of recycling the same collection of characters, just
with different names. The one
truly fresh addition is the presence of Oriantha, a shape shifter who’s druid
mother and changeling father left her a powerful legacy of magic. Oriantha is a fascinating character
that is well developed and effectively used within the scope of the story. For the most part however, there was
nothing new about the new trilogy, and the avid fantasist would be better off
re-reading Brooks’ earlier books than continuing to pursue the series.
Along with the reading I have been doing, I have also been
following a few TV shows. Dancing
with the Stars returned last week, and I am
looking forward to the season with both anticipation and dread. Last season I was appalled by the final
episodes and disgusted by the way in which the show rewards popularity over
talent. I was determined not to
watch anymore, however, two names changed my mind: Meryl Davis and Charlie
White. The Olympic gold medal ice
dancers are competing against each other on the show. I was very excited to see what such talented athletes could
do on a show that is mainly driven by personal popularity and audience bias
toward particular professional dancers (I.E. Derek Hough). Thus far, the show has been excellent
with the exception of two painful performances by Billy Dee Williams. The Star Wars actor has not
demonstrated a modicum of dancing talent or of the suave sophistication that he
was able to bring to the role of Lando Calrissian. If he lasts beyond three weeks, I will despair of the state
of humanity. Most of the time, I
tend to be lenient in my judgment of the poor dancers, especially if they seem
to be enjoying performing or are funny in their approach. There is no hope of redemption
here. Mr. Williams is the second
worst performer I have ever seen on the show, falling just shy of the colossal
monstrosity that was the dancing of Master P Miller. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the season plays
out, but at this point, my expectations of the show have been shattered, and I
am just watching for the two Olympians, not for the show itself.
The other show I have begun following is The Tonight Show
with Jimmy Fallon. I do not normally watch comedy TV, but
with Jimmy Fallon taking the reigns on the Tonight Show, I have been hooked. My favorite part is always the opening monologue; the jokes
are hilarious, and Fallon is not afraid to make fun of himself along with
everyone else. Other highlights
are the Thank You Notes section, and Tonight Show Superlatives. While I do not normally stay and watch
the closing musical numbers because most of the acts are musicians I have never
heard of, the show has had some great guests over the last month. It has been refreshing having a show I
can watch that just makes me laugh.
It is a great relief from my work and the more serious reading I have been
doing lately.
So there are my rants and raves for March. I hope that my readers will take this
opportunity to begin reading the works of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and Mr.
Platt. All three are excellent
writers, with the ability to communicate complex conceptions in language that
is simple and elegant. For readers
of fantasy literature familiar with the works of Terry Brooks, the latest
trilogy is more reminiscent of a “top hits” collection instead of an original
work, and the discerning reader would benefit more from re-reading his earlier
works than by reading these latest books.
In TV, I highly recommend watching The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon if you are looking for a way to relax and enjoy an
evening. I still remain leery of
this season of Dancing with the Stars, but I hope the presence of Charlie White and Meryl Davis will make
the season bearable, despite the obvious flaws that the show has developed. In short, be reading older books rather than constantly watching TV. It is more enjoyable, you will learn more, and you will be more deeply affected by what you are putting in your head.
Well, back to reality.
