Tuesday, November 26, 2013

C.S. Lewis and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, by: Marissa Burt


I'm writing this post on Friday, November 22, which marks fifty years after C.S. Lewis' death.  In the Anglican tradition, today is his feast day, and tonight some friends and I will gather around soup and cider to read aloud favorite passages from his books.  My selections come mostly from his space trilogy and non-fiction books, but I love hearing what captures other readers' imagination.  Inevitably, Lewis' well known middle-grade series, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, will feature prominently.

If you haven't joined Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy on their fantastical adventures, it's time you did.  A tromp through Narnia feels almost a rite of passage for children, and I have yet to meet a reader - child or adult - who, upon completion of the books, didn't wonder wistfully whether they might stumble across a portal to adventure in an otherworld.  So I thought to put up today's post and invite you, Mayhem readers, to comment about your experience with Narnia as a middle-grade reader.  Do you remember your reaction?  What about teachers and librarians?  Do you think today's readers are still drawn to the magic of Narnia?


And for the writers among us, I thought to share some of Lewis' no-nonsense writing advice found in his LETTERS TO CHILDREN.  (If you haven't read this slim volume, it's great fun, as it includes reprints of his replies to fan letters, some of which include illustrations).  Someone must have asked him for writing tips, and he responds:

"What really matters is: -

1.  Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn't mean anything else.

2.  Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one.  Don't implement promises, but keep them.

3.  Never use abstract nouns when concrete ones will do.  If you mean "More people died" don't say "Mortality rose."

4.  In writing.  Don't use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the thing you are describing.  I mean, instead of telling us a thing was "terrible," describe it so that we'll be terrified.  Don't say it was "delightful"; make us say "delightful" when we've read the description.  You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers "Please will you do my job for me."

5.  Don't use words too big for the subject.  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean" very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite."

Much more has and could be said about Lewis and his contribution to literature, but for now I'll conclude by expressing my gratitude, because his writing has nourished my imagination and spirit in profound ways.  Cheers.




20 comments:

  1. There's been no better portal than a wardrobe of fur coats, the crunch of fresh snow and a lonely lamp post lighting the way. C.S Lewis's academic articles and books were my close companions at university.He's not only a writer but a philosopher and a thoroughly honorable gentleman.

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    1. I love how you've described his books as "close companions." I feel the same way - he accompanied me through many twists and turns.

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  2. He was a brilliant man. I read his books so very long ago, but still remember them vividly. Especially, and always, Aslan.

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    1. Yes! I don't know that I've re-read the Chronicles since I was 8 or 9. I'm always saying I want to, but then there is something about leaving those vivid impressions back in my childhood imagination.

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    2. Absolutely. I'm sure these books would still stand up, but some things are better left to memory.

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  3. There is more than a slight Lewis influence in my book The House on the Corner, and a nod to him in the form of a wardrobe in the attic.

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    1. I can't help but think all fantasy authors have to be influenced by Tolkein and/or Lewis! I love that there's a wardrobe in your book - I always like spotting those "nods" to kindred things as a reader.

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  4. This made me tear up. My mom read the Narnia books to me when I was in Kindergarten, I read them to myself in college, and we just finished reading them as a family last year. So much of my childhood and my faith are wrapped up in these books.

    An aside for you, Marissa: Have you ever read A SEVERE MERCY, by Lewis's friend, Sheldon Vanauken? It's incredible. I'd love to discuss it with you!

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    1. I am SO looking forward to my boys discovering Narnia. That's when I'll finally re-read them!

      I have not read A SEVERE MERCY, though I have heard it often recommended. Another readalong, perhaps? ;)

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  5. I love the fact that you have a C.S. Lewis appreciation society! As a child, I read only THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, which I do think of as a delightful book and which my children have also enjoyed. I never did get into the rest of the Narnia tales--although the movies have revived interest in them for the younger generation. I do appreciate his plain-spoken words about writing. Crystal clear!

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    1. That's an interesting point, Michael. I wonder if kids resonate with the movies as much as the books. I saw the first film, and, while I enjoyed it, it paled in comparison to the books. (Which is always the case, isn't it?)

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  6. Love this, Marissa. Narnia figured prominently in my childhood. When I was only 2 and my sister was 5, my father was reading us LWW one chapter each night at bedtime. I was too little to understand, but when Aslan is killed, a chapter ends. My 5 year old sister was completely unglued and my father made her wait until morning before he read the next chapter. Can't say I agree with the parenting choice, but the story is so powerful. Rediscovering them with my daughter was tremendous fun.

    Oh, and when I was around 12, I was in a production of LWW. (Which, incidentally, Lewis did not want stage--or film, one presumes--adaptations of his books and I have to agree. Aslan simply cannot be recreated outside the imagination, IMO.) I so wanted to play the White Witch, but I got stuck playing Mrs. Beaver.

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    1. Unbelievable! That should have definitely been a two-chapter night. :)

      And, yes, I agree. Aslan doesn't translate well off the page, but I'm sure you were a spectacular Mrs. Beaver. ;)

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  7. I've read (and loved) some of C.S. Lewis' non-fiction as well as the Narnia books...and reading this post makes me want to go back to Narnia! *eyes towering TBR pile* *throws caution to the wind and adds the complete Chronicles to the pile* ;) (I have a C.S. Lewis quote tattooed on my forearm -- "Courage, dear heart" -- from Voyage of the Dawn Treader.)

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    1. LOVE that quote. And I hear you about the never-ending TBR pile. There's always 2014!

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  8. I tried to comment the other day and my university computer wouldn't allow me, ugh! I LOVED this post. First of all, I am so stealing your Feast Day idea!! For Lewis, but also for Tolkien and Poe!! And, thanks to you, my 1st grader is getting his first introduction to Narnia! Your post prompted me to bring the chronicles to his bedside. Thank you! :)

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  9. Hooray! Kindred spirits. Books + feasting = perfection. We've talked about doing Tolkein among others. And Poe would be perfect for mid winter. I might have to steal that one!

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  10. I loved this post--and I LOVE the image of the feast day celebration. I will steal that next year. It's hard for me to describe the wonder of those Narnia books when I first encountered them. They were just so magical--each time I read them.

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Thanks for adding to the mayhem!