GREAT DIVORCE, THE

C.S. Lewis' dazzling afterlife fantasy is one of his most compelling tales. The title is a reference to William Blake's work "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell", in which the visionary poet depicted the necessary and ultimate reconciliation of Good (limiting order) and Evil (exuberant dynamism). Contra Blake, Lewis asserts that an enduring chasm - the Divorce - prevails between these cosmic polarities. The anonymous narrator begins in Hell, which resembles our own world in its sinister banality, and catches an outward bound bus along with a motley collection of fellow passengers. Their encounters with the inhabitants of a gorgeously tangible Heaven demonstrate that those who remain in Hell choose to do so, while the way to God - "further up and further in" - is always open to those who would take it, no matter how wretched their condition. THE GREAT DIVORCE remains in the mind like a vivid dream - whimsical, wry, yet profoundly serious. At a time when books about "real life" visits to Heaven (and Hell!) contend for the reader's attention, Lewis' engaging vision of our eternal abode stands out as a wonderful example of fictive imagery used in the service of greater truths.128 pages, from Harper Collins.

351219
ISBN   0007461232
EAN   9780007461233
Pages   160
Department   Academic
Category   Classic Authors
Sub-Category   CS Lewis
Publisher   William Collins
Publication Date   Jul 2012
Dimensions   12 x 130 x 196mm
Weight   0.140kg