MY YEAR(S) WITH C.S. LEWIS (2019-2020)

At the end of 2018 I had read a grand total of twelve books. As a person who loves to read, and loves to really think and dive deep into that reading, I was disappointed in myself. I don’t mean I was ashamed that I had read fewer books than I knew I could, but that I knew I could fuel my brain with novels and books and I had let so much time slip by filling my time and mind with things that didn’t challenge me, amuse me, or sate my desire for intelligent mental conversation.

So, naturally, when deciding what to do for my next reading goal, I chose something less like a dip in the pool and more like a scuba diving adventure when one hasn’t taken the certification course. I’d been wanting to reread the Chronicles of Narnia for some time, and after several stimulating conversations with friends about their creator, decided to take a million steps further and read all of C.S. Lewis’s library. I knew it was a great undertaking, an ambitious goal to finish in a year (it became two when I had 24 books left to read in October 2019). The point? I wanted to get to know the guy. I wanted to get to the bedrock of his writing, to pass the quotes and misquotes, the embroidered “Courage, dear heart,” and the atomic age soliloquy that circled around in March of 2020. I wanted to know where those bits came from, not only in regards to the book, but to the soul of the man who penned and dictated the words.

Outside of the time constraint, I gave myself some rules:

1 No audiobooks or ebooks
2 No other reading other than what is assigned at work or through my church or Scripture
3 No “readings from” or “C.S. Lewis on [blank]”
4 No letters that weren’t collected, No journals, No specific literary criticism or analysis or writings about medieval literature

WORKS I READ You will find my thoughts/reviews/musings below organized by category. My dear friend Suzanna of @doodlesuze, and a fellow book buddy has created some beautiful shelves for me, adorning each with some bits and bobs to honor and smile with our friend, Clive.

WORKS I DID NOT READ All My Road Before Me, Allegory of Love, The Discarded Image, Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, An Experiment in Criticism, A Personal Heresy, A Preface to Paradise Lost

NOTE This is NOT a comprehensive review of C.S. Lewis’s works. I am literate, curious and of average intelligence, and that is where these thoughts come from. Also, like someone who typically flies by the seat of their pants, I didn’t take many notes and have been doing this for over seven hundred days, so, as you might expect, I’ve forgotten a lot of the things that really spoke to me in each book. I do, however, remember very clearly my feelings reading each of his published writings. I’ll do my best to describe how I experienced each of my reading encounters with Lewis, but there are PLENTY of more educated analyses on these monsters available for those who are curiouser than I was.

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KEY

🥰RECOMMEND TO ALL • ⭐️FAVORITE • 😅NEED TO REVISIT • 🔥FOR THE NERDILY CURIOUS • ✋🏼PROCEED WITH CAUTION

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THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA

Narnia needs no introduction. But my thoughts are nostalgic, like many, I’m sure. My first experience with Narnia and it’s secrets and wonders that I can remember was in the fifth grade. Mrs. Sutter read each of the seven books aloud to my class. It was a wonderful way to first meet them. Reading them early last year was incredible, to say the least. As an adult (and a nerdy theology geek one at that), there was much to gawk at, even if it wasn’t the actual intent of Lewis’s writing. Whatever his intent, my wonder at the creativity and intention of God was shaken awake again, and I hadn’t even known it had been sleeping. I read the books in the order that they were published, beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe If you don’t like this book, you know where the door is. The wonder of Narnia anew is quite possibly one of the best book feelings, akin to walking into a colorful theme park or a rustic and dusty bookstore.

Prince Caspian is one of the faster-moving books in the series, and sets up plenty of the attitude for the rest of the series. Much better, MUCH better than the movie.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader had the most lessons for me to learn, and if you try to tell me you’re not a perpetual Eustace, I don’t know what to say to you. Dragon scales are tough stuff. ⭐️

The Silver Chair Of all of Lewis’s fiction, this tastes mightily of Hobbit. Puddleglum constantly reminds me of a wonky Gandalf.

The Horse and His Boy has got to be in my top children’s books of all time. Shasta always appears in my mind like a little Aladdin, and I can see the colors as I read with insane clarity.

The Magician’s Nephew I may or may not own a green ring. I’ve had several discussions with people this year and last about the dreamy places we hope are in the wood between the worlds. The symbolism and final creation scene always gives me goosebumps, the idea of a song in the souls of creation. Perfect.

The Last Battle is a crashing end to a rollercoaster ride. Since I just finished the Space Trilogy, I think of the chaotic end to That Hideous Strength. This book, however, wraps up with a conclusion that sees every character, and seems to see the reader as well.

THE CLASSICS

It was hard to say that a lot of works didn’t fit this category, but these five are definitely the ones I’d recommend someone to have on their shelf at home to revisit. Three of these, in fact, I had begun before and never finished (filed that in “reasons to do this insanity”).

Mere Christianity I borrowed this one from a friend and I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the amount of hand cramps I had from writing so many quotes down in my journal. I’m not sure what it was about this time other than sheer force of will, but finally getting through this time was a wonderful trip. I’d recommend this book, but I’d recommend that you purchase it and write in it. 🥰⭐️😅

Surprised by Joy Lewis describes his life in pictures that use such colorful and visually thrilling descriptions. I won’t forget tearing up as he remembered the rolling hills sprinkled with sheep and cottages in his northern Ireland. Additionally, the wild and humorous descriptions of his reluctant conversion to Christianity made me not only immensely thankful for my own spiritual life and wanderings, but more willing to be honest with myself about them. 🔥

The Four Loves This book came just after Mere Christianity for me, and was a deep dive. Again, I underlined too much for a book I borrowed. This book was impossible to read without inserting myself and my own relationships into each analysis of love. Stretching, convicting and insightful. Also I remember turning the final page with a warm heart. 🥰😅

The Problem of Pain Three of my college buds talked of this book so often that when I started it I found it difficult to not love it. I will say it’s not for the faint of heart or the jetlagged traveller. I read this while spending a week in Boston, passing hours in random cafés while my friends worked. Read with a highlighter and a dictionary. Or just Google. 😅🔥

A Grief Observed A partner to The Problem of Pain, here is a personal take on pain, walking through loss and the sorrow of the grieving process. Reading these side by side might be a good idea, the former being a response to Lewis’s wife’s passing, while the latter a simple objective and theological/scientific take. 🔥

ESSAYS

“If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies but they need not dominate our minds.”

Present Concerns Journalistic essays. Politics, day-to-day, the everyday Lew. The above quote is from “Living in an Atomic Age,” and it was floating around earlier this year in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. 🔥

The Weight of Glory God as an artist delighting in his work, his redeemed and welcomed children. Though this address is only one in this collection, this will be one I’ll need to read again. And probably again. 😅🔥

God in the Dock Honestly this one was hard for me. I began it just as lockdown started, I read it on the college campus I live close to, I read it in my driveway. I read it everywhere I could because it TOOK. ME. FOREVER. This collection of theological essays is definitely something to chew on. If you are keen on it, I recommend it, but only if you are SUPER KEEN. It did have a nice primer on Miracles, though, which got me excited for that one! 🔥✋🏼

The World’s Last Night True Lewis fans will love these essays. Similar to Present Concerns, these are the satirical everyday, the deep thoughts explored, the one rabbit trail followed through. “Religion and Rocketry” was a blast to read right before the Space Trilogy, being as it concerns the idea of other gospels for other life on other planets. 🔥

The Abolition of Man Those who enjoyed The Problem of Pain would also probably enjoy this set of talks. I remember reading this right at the point where my head started hurting and all the lines got blurry. Less theological, more educational and reminiscent of arguments in early Mere Christianity. 🔥

Of Other Worlds Essays on writing, reading and a few short stories. Close to criticism, but analysis of the act, not of something else. Fun. 🔥

STUDIES

When I read Lewis’s essays, I see the beginnings of idea and the opportunity for it to go in so many directions afterwards, whether because of unanswered questions or because of new questions that have come up. In a few cases, an entire book written on a narrow topic, I say not only was the concept exhausted, but I was as well. These were mostly hard for me to swallow, but I was intrigued none the less.

Reflections on the Psalms One of my favorites. Would recommend it as a partner to a study of the Psalms, or if you love finding patterns or symbolism in Scripture. I’ll be coming back to this one. 🥰⭐️😅

Studies in Words If you like linguistics and don’t think a million footnotes will make you feel under-read and ill-prepared, have at this one! Dissecting pairs and families of words, Lewis challenges the reader (yes, I admit I was challenged) to think about the way we use words, correctly and incorrectly. Dry and way above my head at times. 🔥✋🏼

Miracles Argument for the possibility of miracles in the world, and in that way, the possibility of something bigger than our natural world. Will be rereading this one with a pen. 😅🔥

POEMS

I’ll admit it. I’m not a huge poetry lover. I wasn’t sure what to expect here, honestly. Lewis was so fascinated by Greek and Norse mythology, and his study of Medieval literature was much more than extensive. It definitely shows up in his poetry.

Poems Divided into several books, I’ll go ahead and say my favorite set had a lot to do with Narnia. This volume is definitely easier to swallow, sometimes funny and easy to visualize.

Narrative Poems Dymer is included in this set of “epics,” if you will. These were tough to follow, and as a Shakespeare lover I find that hard to admit, ha! “The Nameless Isle” and “The Queen of Drum” were fascinating. Not gonna lie, though, I wish Lewis would quit cutting off a story before it feels done.

Spirits in Bondage Think Poems, but darker. This set deals with heavier theological concepts, dark nights and hard moments. Many references to times before Lewis’s conversion to Christianity.

LETTERS

If you know me well, you know I love letters. Reading the sort of letters Lewis wrote himself and the sort that he wrote to or from fictional characters makes me feel like my letters are nothing more than those intricately folded notes I threw to my classmates in the seventh grade.

Letters to Malcolm If you value prayer AT ALL, you should read this. There’s more to it than simply thoughts on prayer, but if anything I read will affect me, I hope it’s this book. You can bet I’ll be reading this again. 🥰⭐️😅

The Screwtape Letters Clever. So clever. Put yourself in this one. Lewis’s knack for playing with the spiritual realm in his “fiction” is on full display and is better every time. This was my third time reading this one, and won’t be my last. 🥰😅

Letters to an American Lady For an obscure little book, this one had some gems in it, including one of the most quoted Lewisisms, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” He also mentions breakfast a good bit. More of the lovable, everyday Lew. These letters were written after Lewis’s conversion and during his marriage, and the collection serves as a sort of memoir for the time that Surprised by Joy didn’t cover. 🥰⭐️

FICTION

Here we are at last. My favorite category. I get sucked into a good story like nothing else I know. I was so excited for all of these, and they did not disappoint by any means. I laughed, I gasped, I may have teared up, but my eyes do water when I’m tired so that was probably it.

The Pilgrim’s Regress You may have heard of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Think of this as it’s evil twin. Not evil, really, but different with some similarities. This one had several moments in it that I was not a fan of. Whether they were a product of the time, or of Lewis’s mind itself, I’m not sure, but I was taken aback. One thing I did notice and appreciate was the heading of every page revealing the current allegory in the story. Clever and unexpected. 🔥✋🏼

The Dark Tower My favorite story in this collection was by far “The Man Born Blind.” “The Dark Tower” is in fact a supposed sequel to Out of the Silent Planet, and is a very gruesome and dark tale at that. Rather glad that it didn’t make it into the series, but that’s just me. 🔥

Boxen No one is surprised that Lewis and his brother Warnie began writing anthropomorphic tales at the ages of 8 and 11. Walter Hooper (who we love, so so much) collected them and published them, complete with illustrations and hand written portions. 🔥

The Great Divorce An allegorical tale like no other. A puzzle of a world, in true Lewis fashion. Honestly if it’s been long enough for me to forget most of it, it’ll need to be reread. 🥰😅

Till We Have Faces I really have nothing to say other than READ THIS. A retelling of a Greek myth, from the perspective of a rather unpleasant girl. Beautifully written (do we expect anything else??), imaginative and stunning. I began the book really disliking certain characters and ended up loving them in the end (This is how I felt about Hopper in Stranger Things, just for reference). 🥰⭐️😅

Out of the Silent Planet The first in the Space Trilogy. Fascinating, fast-paced and fun. Dr. Ransom seems like a true friend of mine now. 🥰🔥

Perelandra I’ve never done drugs, but this book seemed like it might be familiar to someone who has. A planet of pure paradise, with colors like you’ve never heard of and creatures unlike any we’ve ever seen. Dr. Ransom in a new light. I sent a message to a friend saying, “Did you think Perelandra was slow?” and she replied with, “Yes, it seemed that way, but then WOOSH,” and about a chapter later, WOOSH. 🔥

That Hideous Strength The chaos of Perelandra, the scenery of The Great Divorce, and the voice of The Last Battle. A definite screech halt to the end of this series. Let me emphasize CHAOS. I was very confused by this book, but there were lots of parts I really loved. Do not try to read quickly. 🔥

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IN CONCLUSION

In a recent conversation a friend asked me if I could describe my feelings about Lewis in a few sentences. I told her I really didn’t think I knew how. I feel that I know him, yes. I feel that we’ve had plenty of great conversations. Have I left them in complete disarray? Yes. It seems as if there is a sermon buried in everything he’s written, but then again I wouldn’t call it a sermon. It’s as if everything he wrote was affected by the spiritual experiences he had. But isn’t that how all of our works of art turn out? I know I’m glad I read through all of his works. I feel smarter and dumber all at once. I feel encouraged and convicted, elated and exhausted. Now that I’ve stuffed all this Lewis into the recesses of my brain, I’m looking forward to when they decide to come back up. Catch me in 50 years reciting some Narnia to my neighborhood kids or asking if they’ve ever considered whether other planets have a redemptive story.

Shoot me a message or a text if you have any questions or if you wanna talk about Lewis. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

WORKS YOU SHOULD READ
Mere Christianity
Reflections on the Psalms
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer
Letters to an American Lady
Till We Have Faces

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA; FEAT. LOS ANGELES

In October 2020, I escaped the craziness of Nashville’s host of the 2020 Presidential Debate. I hadn’t really traveled anywhere new due to the pandemic’s chokehold on everyone’s travel life. It was time! And it was a time that four, FOUR of my pals from Thailand found themselves living in Southern California.

I’d never been to the west coast until this trip, and boy was it an introduction. In-N-Out, PCH trip, our car getting broken into and robbed, and generally the best sunsets I’ve ever seen at a beach. Woes aside, traveling with photographers is the way to go: if your camera is stolen–like mine was, you’ll still have some high quality memories! So, please enjoy this small glimpse of a Thailand reunion, via my friends Scotty, Casey, Emily and Jon, and some mobile shots of mine that I didn’t totally hate. Heading back to the west coast soon, Portland on the agenda as well as a brief stopover to remind California that it does *not* own me, but the score is Alli: 0, SF: 1.

After exploring L.A. and a little bit around Riverside, we headed up the coast to SF. Honestly I was really looking forward to stopping to gawk at Big Sur, but there was so much fog, the below image was even doctored up to show… well, anything. We kept on, stopping for views, sleeps, ER visits (you read that right). The best parts consisted of quoting every movie I’ve ever seen with Jon, walking barefoot on “dunes” by the coast, and everything else that goes along with a fall road trip: snacks, Fleet Foxes, fighting over who had to sit on the b*tch seat, and who controlled Spotify. You know. Mature adult things.

We finally made it to San Francisco, swinging through redwood forests and basking in beams of light, emerging from the sun roof of Em’s car to get what we could of Lombard street from the actual drive down (failure, on all accounts). We laid in the grass at a park, walked way too much, and picked up tacos to eat at the beach (Marshall’s Beach was the greatest place I went this entire trip, maybe all of 2020). Then our car got its windows smashed and my backpack was stolen (thankfully that’s all, all of our luggage was in the back, safe and sound when we returned. The thieves got a beloved world-trekking anorak, my prescription glasses that really don’t help anyone, my camera, and an EXTREMELY nerdy C.S. Lewis book. Have fun with that? Either way, I’m thrilled that all of the professional photographers in our group had kept their gear on them while we were down at the shore.

For a first time in California, I wasn’t too disappointed (glaring circumstances aside). I saw six long lost Thailand pals, walked a lot, and I can sorta understand why people like the west coast (…sorta). Can’t wait to go back to explore now that I have more friends living in the PNW! If my layovers take me through California, which they will, I’m sure, I wouldn’t mind. I still need to prove myself to San Francisco.

Most photos Emily Gallina, Scott McCollum, Casey McCollum, Jon Nyquist ©2020

PORTLAND, MAINE

Truth be told, I did not expect to love Portland as much as I did. It was brisk, quaint, colorful, and worn all at once. Anna (no surprise here) found us a barn loft to call home while we explored a place I only new about because of Donovan Woods. A year after returning, here’s my take on this lovely city, akin to my love, Boston, if I may be so bold.

Our first thought after driving from Bar Harbor and dropping our bags was: food. Though the drive is less than three hours, we stopped, explored, dawdled, and took a few wrong turns. Can’t remember where we’d stopped for a delicious brunch what seemed days ago, but I do remember I bought the best coat I’ve ever owned and will ever own while we were in Brunswick.

We had read over and over about the amazing fare at Empire Chinese Kitchen , and we were not disappointed. Gyoza, spring rolls, white ginger bok choy, crab rangoons and local kombucha. This place was casual but striking, and if you’re an Asian food fanatic like me, you’d have been in heaven.

Our first full day in the city started slow, our sweet hosts left us a pair of doughnuts from The Holy Donut, a Portland staple. We made an occasion of it, plates and all, before heading out for the day. Peaks Island called us onward, a round trip boasting beautiful views (though difficult to capture via camera in the fog) from the ferry, a ghost town island with one little coffee shop/deli combo. It was quiet and eerie n the best way, and the sun came out to warm us before we took the return trip.

Couldn’t stay away from a coast for long, so we headed down to Cape Elizabeth, a bit of a drive away from Portland. The waves were enormous, the rock shore keeping them away. Didn’t really keep us from getting wet, but it made for some glorious sitting and reading moments. We took the scenic route around greater Portland afterwards to visit a favorite of ours: Allagash Brewing. Like all breweries it was a fun and lively place, but unlike all breweries, Allagash White holds good memories for both Anna and me. Read: I don’t buy merchandise from most breweries but you better believe I have already worn out the shirt I bought and Anna’s dog may or may not have an Allagash collar.

Portland showed us enough for want of another visit. It treated us well. I put the camera away for a lot of this city, which is only a testament to how many moments I spent loving what was happening right then and not even considering how to tell someone else about it. We sipped a rosé that our server said was “tiptoeing toward a red,” at More & Co. We sampled multiple flights of kombucha at Urban Farm Fermentory. Lived our fanciest foie gras life at Central Provisions. After arriving late and meeting new friends at a Portland Comedy Co-Op show (where we were pointed out for coming late and when we laughed, “Oh good! The tewnty-year-olds think I’m funny!”) we got late night quail eggs and Pad Thai at Boda.

The day we said goodbye was a wonder: thrifting, antiquing, best biscuit of my life at Tandem Coffee Roasters, etc. We finished stopped for oysters and Asian bowls (what a combination) at Eventide Oyster Co., a perfect farewell to the port town that turned us into Maine believers if Acadia hadn’t already.