Comments on: What I’m Reading Now

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:37:10 +0000

I’m glad to have you around, Dawn, and I’m excited to hear that you found Imani’s blog. There’s some great stuff there.

I didn’t know Chesterton was a speed writer, Clemens. Maybe that’s why I like him so much. I kind of favor the rough-edged. And I know what you mean about Moby-Dick, I think. There’s some wild thought in there. And some moments of sheer horror (the whiteness!). It deserves it’s tough rep.

By: clemens

clemens — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:05:47 +0000

I’ve read a lot of Lewis but it was so long ago I’ve forgotten most of it! Except Screwtape Letters and Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, because I read them again last year for my Episcopal book club.

Chesterton I like, though Orthodoxy has been setting on our shelf for as long as I’ve been married and neither of us have managed to push through more than the first two or three chapters. Chesterton has a rep for writing at speed and never, but never, proofreading or editing. That could explain a lot.

You will be an educated man when you finish Moby Dick.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:55:36 +0000

Thank you for the welcome and Chesterton suggestions, Ian. I have followed Elliot’s blog for awhile and occasionally bug him. I am pleased to find yours and Imani’s blog.

I thought Lewis’ A Grief Observed was touching but it’s been some time since I read it.

I remember enjoying the Lang series, especially the later titles like Brown and Pink Fairy Books.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:42:19 +0000

Welcome to Upper Fort Stewart, Dawn. I’m glad that you chose to comment on this particular post first because, if you’re checking up on the comments, you get to also meet Imani and Elliot, two of my regular commentors, who’re doing my work for me here.

So, Chesterton. You might try reading The Everlasting Man, Orthodoxy, and his book on St. Francis. Then we’ll be caught up. Chesterton can be a bit too clever, I guess. But I find Lewis to be a little, I don’t know, pedestrian? That sounds too elitist. I think I just mean dull.

That said, Till We Have Faces is on my wishlist and Lewis’ Surprised By Joy has had a lasting effect on me.

By: Imani

Imani — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:36:52 +0000

I have that Out of the Silent Planet trilogy. I should get to it some time. (I should get to a lot of books.)

By: Elliot

Elliot — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:30:32 +0000

Oh, and I find Chesterton works best in small doses. He’s great at zingers and bon mots, but after awhile he can be too… pompous? Or smugly clever? Cleverly smug? Something.

By: Elliot

Elliot — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:27:46 +0000

My fav Lewis book has become “Till We Have Faces,” though “Out of the Silent Planet” is pretty good too.

By: Imani

Imani — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:06:25 +0000

If you’re referring to Lewis’ Narnia series I always thought there were only two really good books (”The Horse and His Boy” & “Silver Chair”) and an ok one, primarily because it’s so popular (”Lion, Witch, Wardrobe”) out of the whole thing away! I should have read it first when I was a kid.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:41:38 +0000

What books of Chesterton should be read?

I’ve only read the Father Brown stories and The Man Who Was Thursday.