Rants and Raves 2

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.