Great Divorce

Awesome

CS Lewis is an extremely talented individual and I think The Great Divorce is a perfect example of his gift and his craft. He has taken the subject of Heaven and Hell, a subject that it usually 'black and white,' and had added several different shades of gray. It's as though he wants the subject matter to be attainable to his readers. He has created characters that are real and believeable - not only because of his descriptive nature but because you may know any one of those characters. This book really makes you think and it leaves you with a new perspective. I strongly recommend this book. It's a great, quick read.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

A Lesson in Perspective

Ever observant and insightful, Lewis has taken mankind's major shortcomings and embodied them in a group of ghosts from Hell. Each of the doomed spirits is given the opportunity to shake off the chains of purgatory and respond to the invitation given by the heavenly host to 'come and feed'; in turn, each ghost finds one excuse or another why they cannot possibly do so. Through the eyes of the narrator, we witness those who hold themselves back because of fear, pride, selfishness, cynicism, ignorance, and blindness. Ultimately, Lewis' story hails individual choice as the chief determinant of where we will belong in the eternities: 'no soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it.' Whether a warning to or a reflection on society, the book stimulates thought and forces the reader to look inward at their own weaknesses. Far from being pessimistic, however, the book leaves us with the notion that change, while perhaps difficult and even painful, is indeed possible. Lewis gives us a small glimpse of how the celestials might view and value important qualities such as joy, freedom, forgiveness, charity, and love. In the end, we are reminded that to live in a celestial environment, one must forego the telestial perspective.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

All will be well

William Blake wrote of the marriage of heaven and hell, in this splendid fantasy novel Lewis becomes judicator of the divorce. The narrator joins a bus queue in a perpetual sunset town and takes a trip to heaven where any can stay and go to the mountains if they let go of their selfishness. Lewis hits the mark at describing our fallen psychology. As Dante had Virgil as guide so our narrator has Scottish author George MacDonald along on the tour. MacDonald trying to explain the choice of the lost says: 'Milton was right,'... 'The choice of every lost soul can be expressed in the words, 'Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven.' ..... There is always something they prefer to joy --- that is, to reality.' The people from hell are shades as they all quickly discover on leaving the bus. The grass, trees, and even the water are solid and the shades from hell leave no impression. Conversely the new environment does effect them, one example being that rain drops would blast holes in them like a machine gun. The heavenly region they visit is much larger than hell although they don't realize it. 'All Hell is smaller than one pebble of your earthly world: but it is smaller than one atom of this world, the Real World.' The reason hell is so small is that it is so full of mostly nothing. The insistence on self will leads eventually to the person becoming more and more unreal. The narrator, who is really Lewis of course, asks MacDonald about his being a Universalist, that he talked in his books as if all men would be saved. Paraphrased MacDonald says something like: Doctrines such as universalism or even predestination may be true in eternity from God's perspective and paradoxically not true in time where freedom operates and the choice of ways is before you. In eternity it may be as our Lord told Lady Julian of Norwich 'that all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.'

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Amazing!

I first read this book my freshman year of high school. I was disappointed. Then, the opportunity to read it again arose when I was a senior and I fell in love with it. It's a simple book that deals with the not-so-simple topics of heaven and hell. This book, written by an amazing critic and author, is one to read and understand and think about for years to come. Please take my advice and read this book! You won't regret it.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful book

This was an absulutely marvelous book. the characters and imagry keep you on the edge of your seat. i hardly put it down until i was done.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Read despite age, religion, or background.

Over and over again I'd heard this title. . . the Great Divorce. It is brief for the short of attention span but something that should really be read over and over again until we tear away at the coverings of story and plot and find the message and the intention. I'm a teenager but that does not prevent me from ever turning away. You don't need to be Christian, only believe in change, in choices, in some sort of divine something. IT's so well written in orderto express his message, and certainly leaves any reader wtih a responsibility no other can bear. You can feel the horror of WWII at least in part driving the words. REad it, read it again and grow with it. IT's amazing what one can learn on a bus trip through heaven. The vision we see through the windows is far more potent than fire and brimstone, and far more pressing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

CS Lewis - 'nuff said!

CS Lewis - 'nuff said!

C. S. Lewis is a master. I have yet to read one of his works and

C. S. Lewis is a master. I have yet to read one of his works and not find myself thinking about for the next several weeks.

Mind Blowing - completely changed my perspective

C. S. Lewis tells the world about his own perspective on the Heaven versus Hell conflict in the novel. From giant gray towns to see through people to "the real world", Lewis takes you on a journey that leaves no one's thoughts unchanged. A challenging book to read, but still an incredible story. Perfect for anyone looking for a book with substance!

Will Be One of the Great Classics! 50 yr.s Proof in the Making!

This book has changed my family paradigm concerning Jesus's descriptions of hell. What I mean is, we no longer argue about who is going and why, but whether or not it is even fair.

According to CS Lewis, hell might be a place where sin is free to rule.

The central figure (1st person) is surprise! Lewis as himself. He meets many characters who are up to hellish shenanigans and hellish arguments (defense of their sins, despite their sins' poisonous effects).

This to me was Dante's Inferno on steroids. Affectionately written, without judging too much who goes where, this is defenitely a thorough explanation of hell through the eyes of one of 20th Century's greatest publicists (maker of public awareness) and apologists (defender of Christian faith).

The idea of infinite sinning deserving infinite hell seems fair. Lewis brings a definite creative flair to his arguments, having had expertise in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and discussions of faith with English professors whose jobs are to understand the meaning of words.

One of the main conversations exists between Lewis and his own "Teacher" George MacDonald (THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN, PHANTASTES, BACK OF THE NORTH WIND), who inspired Lewis even before Lewis becamme a Christian.

The arguments presented by MacDonald's character lead to some kind of summarization that "Heaven is a place where we pray 'Thy Will Be Done' and Hell, where God says OUR wills be done'!

Very poignant and descriptive.

There are many twists and surprises at the beginning and the end. Heaven is no place for sissies! (in fact, the people visiting from hell find it so powerful and ignore the causes of their own weaknesses)

I must spoil this allegory with mention of its characters:

One in particular: a dwarf intricately linked by a chain to a giant. We discover it is one and the same, but that the giant is a weakling cry-baby that grows as it sins, and the dwarf shrinks. This represents the dual nature of sin and obedience, that the more we strengthen one the other is weakened.

Is raises a wonderful question, almost ignorant of answer, whether or not people cease to exist in either direction: to sin until becoming completely pathetic, or to believe in Christ into complete perfection. Lewis wisely says the remedy to the question is not its answer, but repentance and / or obedience to the call to faith.

Apparently God is not vengeful so much as the giver of such a powerful freedom that this our freedom can have disastrous consequence when unleft by the check of God's love.

And finally, be subtly aware that Lewis--defender of the faith, appeal to the masses--has a hankering for the theology of purgatory, after referencing a passage of scripture.

We can all hope as Lewis does, after purchasing this book, that God is as loving as Lewis's words about Him, and as exciting and sensible as the kind judge and the anecdote-carrying medic described ...

Wonderful!

Our book club read and discussed this remarkable little book. Everyone enjoyed it, even if they had read it previously. This allegorical tale is an original and innovative presentation of ways we find to separate ourselves from joy. It inspired spirited and thought-provoking discussion in our group. Individually, I enjoyed it greatly and highly recommend.

Don't Divorce Yourself From This Book!

Whether you share his faith or not, it cannot be denied that Clive Staples Lewis was one of the greatest thinkers to ever walk the planet, and we are blessed that he leaves behind such thoughful and provoking books such as The Great Divorce. Take a journey with C.S. on a magical bus ride from hell, into a fanciful and interesting version of Heaven that perhaps none of us have ever before considered. Let this book open up your mind to the possibilities of afterlife and relax as you listen to C.S. Lewis tell a story about what he thinks we will all soon face ourselves. Not to be taken too seriously, The Great Divorce is just one man's thoughts about something greater than himself. His authoritative and self-assured manner of writing will eave the reader thinking about things bigger than his or her self. You can't die without at least reading this quick-read thought provoker once.

Amazing find

CS Lewis is an exceptionally talented writer. While he can sometimes be difficult to comprehend, once you grow accustomed to his style it is easy to see why his works are timeless. It's a book I will read again just to see what I let slip by the first time. Taking us on journey to heaven from our present place on earth Lewis is able to point out the obvious in surprising new ways. He makes us think and re-think how we live our lives, re-evaluating every decision we make. I found this book very difficult to put down and found myself mulling over its contents when it wasn't open in my hands.

Interesting Read

I read this book because it was recommended by a friend.

This book is an interesting read that makes you think. There are a lot of metaphorical situations that will make you evaluate life in ways you never thought. You'll constantly be asking yourself, "Why didn't I ever think of things that way?"

This book allows you to see things that are often thought of as good, to also having what could be interpreted by some people as bad.

The only downsides to this book are that it is short (around 150 pages), and it doesn't explain much about the main character (why they are where they are).

Outstanding

Thus so far of Lewis' works I have read 'Mere Christianity' and 'The Great Divorce', both have been absolutely wonderful. 'The Great Divorce' is a transcending jounrey through Heaven and Hell, and it definitely makes the reader deeply contemplate. Lewis' selection of precise, flowing words makes it that much more intriguing. Literally no one knows what Heaven or Hell is like, but it's the message of this novel that matters the most. You will be able to quote this book quote after quote, time after time, it's full of thought-provoking sentences.

Profound & Relevent to the Human Condition

C.S. Lewis was incredibly in tune with the human condition in our present day and age, even though the book was written decades ago. He's very profound and hits the target right on with his ability to pinpoint some peoples inability to deal with humanism and their own sin.

I would have liked to pick his brains

I would have liked to have picked this author's brain. Not only is he a talented fictional writer, but he is also a deep thinker who makes you think. Fortunately, he wrote so many good things, fiction and non fiction, that I can pick his brains long after his death. And so can you. And it's worth the picking

Makes You THINK

I have read a variety of Lewis' books so far, and this is a very, very valuable and very practical one for anyone to read. Not only is it an easy read because of its story-format, it introduces us to so many different characters that resemble many of people, you, me, etc. I see this as a warning, in a way, of which person we might be and how we can actually say 'No' to God and to Heaven even though the whole reward is within our grasp if only we'd put in a little courage and faith. If you have faith like a mustard seed, it can grow and become larger than we can imagine.

A masterpiece that only Lewis could depict

The Heaven and Hell of Life. For so long have we neglegted our views (as Christians) on this topic. I loved every minute of this philosophically-full novel, it has power,description, and attains greatness in it also. And it even captures younger readers like me who is a teenager. 'The Great Divorce' opposes William Blake's 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell' and now we have a complete set. One of their marriage and the other of their divorce.

Greatness

I liked this book very much. The pacing of the story is nice and easy to follow along. I was surprise how C. S. Lewis depicts Heaven and Hell. I highly recommend this book!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.