The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man 
by CS Lewis

It’s an oldie, but a goodie. Everything CS Lewis writes is a classic – to me, at least. And the intellectual prowess of the author makes me feel smarter as I read. It’s not easy reading, but having finished this slight volume, I am definitely better for it.

I believe the content of this book was originally presented in a few lectures at Oxford. So basically, if you read this book, it’s just like going to Oxford with Dr. Lewis as your professor. What a thrill to sit under the tutelage of such a great theologian, thinker, and man.

In this book, Lewis coins his famous phrase: Men without Chests. He discusses the decline of education in his day and age (1940s) but the relevance of these words today is striking. Almost prophetic. His premise is that, traditional morality (as laid out by our Creator) must be taught as the sole source of all value judgements – it is not one among a series of possible systems of value. He says that “there has never been, and never will be, a radically new judgement of value in the history of the world.”

He discusses the idea that if children are not taught absolute truths, then we cannot expect them to behave with virtue and honor. We will essentially raise men without chests, who are all intellect and no heart.

Yes, it’ll make you think. Yes, you might have to read some passages twice. But you will come away from it smarter, wiser, and let’s face it, you’ll be an Oxford student for an hour or two, and wouldn’t that look great on your resume?

What is your favorite CS Lewis book? Leave us a comment for a chance to win this week’s prize!

Jennifer Fromke is a novelist who writes from NC, where she pines for colder temperatures all year long. Northerners by upbringing, she and her husband of 26 years have raised three Southern-ish children, much to their amazement. Jennifer reviews books at Shetalksbooks.com and you can download a free story from her website when you sign up for her newsletter at jenniferfromke.com. She writes contemporary women’s fiction and email. Lots of email.

Perennials

Perennials 
by Julie Cantrell

This is the story of a girl who lost herself. It's a story about sisters. It's a story about parents. And it's a story about flowers that always come back. I love how Cantrell uses the metaphor of flowers throughout this novel. There is so much to learn from the flowers and there is so much about God's creation that is not only beautiful, but mind-blowing when you realize the object lessons He included in almost everything He made.

The father in this story is full of wisdom, and he likes to share that wisdom with his adult daughters, whether they like it or not. There is love lost, hope lost, and time lost, yet there is an wonderful undercurrent of hope.

For the experienced gardener, there is much detail to love in this novel. For those without a green thumb? You'll still love it. One detail in particular that I must share - the daughter who gets sort of lost runs from the lush land of Mississippi, to the Arizona desert, where almost nothing grows. When she returns to her childhood home, her senses are overwhelmed by everything that is growing everywhere. The scents, the sights, the blooms. I love this dichotomy, and you will love how the author uses the setting as a character.

Do you like to garden? Do you prefer to observe nature from a distance? Leave us a comment to get your name in the drawing for The Healer's Touch by Amber Schamel! Giveaway ends 2/11/18. Winner will be announced in the February 12th edition of the weekly windup.

Jennifer Fromke writes from North Carolina and can be found at jenniferfromke.com or shetalksbook.com

Surprised by Oxford

Surprised by Oxford

By Carolyn Weber

I am generally a fiction junkie. Biographies and histories put me to sleep. And don’t get me started on the self-help section . . . please—do not buy one of those for me. But every once in a while, I stumble across a piece of non-fiction that stirs my soul. Surprised by Oxford is my latest foray into the world of non-fiction.

Take an economically challenged girl from Iowa, a scholarship to Oxford and add a heavy dose of poetry and pubs. This memoir reads like a novel and charts a journey of faith that is honest to the core, but filled with doubt…and wonder. Carolyn Weber is an intellectual through and through, and when she trips into conversations about faith, she pursues those thoughts like she would any other line of thinking until she reaches a point where she realizes--with great consternation--she actually believes in God.

Her journey is peppered with wonderful professors, friends, family members, and laced with poems which spoke to her as she studied and struggled with the concept of faith. If you like C.S. Lewis, you will adore this girl. The juxtaposition of intellectual pursuits and child-like faith combine to show a true examination and discovery of truth in a romantic and highly intellectual setting.

The author references many literary works as she processes this journey and her discoveries will become your discoveries. There are moments the reader will feel like she’s turned a corner and come upon the loveliest unexpected surprise. And that’s exactly what this entire book was for me: a lovely, unexpected surprise.

I studied at Oxford in summer years ago and revisiting that beautiful city through Weber’s eyes reminded me what a special place it is. What do you know about Oxford? Would you go if you could?

Don't forget to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for Love, Stock & Barrel by Crystal L. Barns. Winner announced in the Weekly Windup on the 14th. Check out all of our great prizes on the Prizes Galore page!