Posts Tagged Literature
CS Lewis: Meet Mr. Screwtape and Wormwood
Posted by Kirsten Monzon in Literature on February 18, 2010
CS Lewis is better known for his Narnia series; however, my most favorite book from him would have to be The Screwtape Letters.
Okay, The Screwtape Letters might not be your run in the mill book, but it does offer plenty of insights whether you are a Christian or not. Lewis initially published this book in 1942 and it chronicles how a senior demon, Screwtape, admonishes and give advice to his nephew, Wormwood, in the art of temptation and securing damnation of a British person, referred to as “the Patient” in the book.
The book is filled with thirty one letters that provide insights and counsel on how Wormwood can win over his Patient. It is also filled with Screwtape’s observation of human nature and the Christian faith.
Lewis mainly presents that the world is made up of two powerful forces, the good and the evil. These two continually struggle to gather their share of human souls. There is no denying the fact that Lewis is one of the best Christian writer’s ever, in fact, the Screwtape Letters is a favorite among evangelical pastors.
Beyond its humorous and satirical presentation, there is an underlying meaning, one of reflection and thought. It is impossible not to question your beliefs and ideals when you read it regardless of your faith. Screwtape becomes real to the reader and quite believable. Through him, Lewis shows an accurate portrait of Hell and what it could be like.
Lewis essentially achieves the best out of both worlds, creating a book that is entertaining and at the same time enlightening.
Why the Fascination with Jane Austen?
Posted by Kirsten Monzon in Literature on January 23, 2010
With a realism that bites and blistering social commentaries, Jane Austen earns her right to be one of the most beloved writers in English literature. However, why does Jane Austen deserve our praise so much?
Little is known about the personal life of Jane Austen. One biographer is quoted as saying that any information about the life of the writer is “famously scarce.” Most of the remaining letters she had were destroyed; hence it is difficult to ascertain how she was as a person, with her family and how this has translated to her novels.
Austen creates novels that are filled with characters that exemplify human behavior at its core. They exhibit a sense of humor and are accurate reflections of what people would do in certain situations. Her characters often do not possess grandeur or elegance, but they are certainly polished and precise in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. She portrays life in an accuracy sometimes missing from most of the literary works written today.
Many people praised Pride and Prejudice (1813) when they read it or saw movie adaptations; others could not put down Emma (1815) without finishing the last page. Sense and Sensibility (1811) became even more renowned because of the film adaptation.
Ang Lee, the Director for Sense and Sensibility, sums up the reason why Austen is so well-loved, he says, “”Austen tells us how much we have to suffer in order to find real love and truth as well as the pain of growing up. These conflicts in one way or another determine our lives. This is a universal issue.”
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Neil Gaiman: The Master Sandman
Posted by Kirsten Monzon in Literature on December 23, 2009
Considered to be among the “top ten living post modern writers,” Neil Gaiman has certainly been at the forefront of modern literature. Although he is most well-known for his contribution to modern comics, Gaiman is actually a prolific poet, filmmaker, journalist and lyricist.
The author professed to grow up influenced by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Edgar Allan Poe to name a few. Some of his most famous pieces to date include the Sandman and the American Gods.
The Sandman was first published in 1985. It is one of the few comics to become a part of the New York Times Bestseller list and it is considered by many to be a “comic book for the intellectuals.” On the other hand, American Gods has also proven that Gaiman can hold his own when it comes to novel writing. This book has garnered some of the most prestigious awards given to literature including the Hugo and the Nebula Award. It has become a bestseller as well and was published in 2001 under William Morrow in the United States.
Gaiman is known for creating worlds that are far removed from reality yet seemingly contain the same human problems as the real world. If you read through his work, you will notice that it incorporates countless allusions. From old literary works to Greek mythology, Gaiman weaves them into a perfect fine mesh. His universe is multi-layered and very intricate.
When inquired about his ideas, he says, “You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we’re doing it.”
Sylvia Plath: Exhibiting the Life of a Troubled Poet
Posted by Kirsten Monzon in Literature on December 23, 2009
Being able to speak and write poetry by five years old means that a child is special. Sylvia Plath was more than special; she was creating complete poems by this age, way more than what most ordinary children would have.
After experiencing her father’s death at the age of eight, she was quoted to have said, “I’ll never speak to God again.” On that same year, she published her first poem, aptly titled, “Poem” in the Boston Herald, under the children’s section. Plath was perfect at first glance, she was a great daughter, a straight A student, popular, and won great achievements.
However, behind all that there was something that was unraveling in her. After the summer of her junior year, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. This was to become a part of her only novel The Bell Jar. This novel was released in January 1963 by William Heinemann Limited in London. Plath took a pen name since she was not convinced that the novel had much significance.
Nevertheless, the novel drew various parallels from the life of the author. From the death of her father, her many accolades and achievements at a young age, to her depression and electro shock therapy, all of these were also experienced by her protagonist Esther.
Plath died on February 11, 1963. She had finally succeeded in killing herself by thrusting her head far into the gas oven and completely sealing off her kitchen to suffocate in the gas. Today, Sylvia Plath remains as one of the most influential women literary writers. Sylvia Plath was truly a remarkable poet, a wife, a daughter, a writer and human being.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Posted by Kirsten Monzon in Literature on December 21, 2009
Being one of the most prolific and famous literary writers of the 20th century, Neil Gaiman has certainly proved himself worthy of the title.
One recent novel American Gods has won praises from both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards. It showcases Gaiman’s spin on Americans themed work incorporated with fantasy and mythology at the same time.
The book starts with the main character, Shadow, being released from prison. He finds out that his wife is killed and he is offered a job by a puzzling stranger. However, Mr. Wednesday knows more than he wants to let on and warns that a clash for the “very soul of America” is heading on its way.
American Gods has won critical appraise from various book critics and writers alike. Each one praises the book as one of the contemporary masterpieces of today. It is essentially a book that tackles the myths embedded in the American landscape which was one of the least favorite tackled subject in most literary novels before.
Gaiman had taken from various influences around him and in the past. He names different real life towns and tourist attractions that are present to this day. He also admitted to obscuring some of the exact addresses for the locations. The author also incorporated several ideas from other books and ideology. Most notable of these were from Norse and Greek Mythology.
With this book, Gaiman has proved to his critics once again that he is indeed a talented writer and he can sit comfortably in the fiction novel seat without any problems. His career has produced numerous books and stories, his movies are well loved and his graphic novel was one of the best in the field. Neil Gaiman is truly one remarkable artist.
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