We Are Jonah

An Addendum...

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Hey, hey, I just realised that I forgot two awesome bunches of books...

The Quickening Trilogy, by Fiona McIntosh

Not as in "Highlander", but a really good low-but-with-some-elements-of-high fantasy trilogy by a good ol' Aussie artist.

Here's the gist - a realistic world (as in, no elves!) dominated by two Kingdoms - Morgravia and Briavel - who are hoping to find peace amidst a bitter, ancient feud. Enter Wyl Thirsk, the young general of the Morgravian Legion and the hated enemy of his new King - and one-time childhood companion - the arrogant and charming Celimis. Jealous that Wyl was like a son - a favoured son - to his late father, Celimis sends Wyl on a suicide mission into Briavel that will likely plunge the entire land back into a terrible war. But a most unexpected plot twist, offered by a dying witch that Wyl comforted in her final moments, changes everything...

Seriously, these books are a little bit "mature", but they are the most accessible fantasy books I have ever read! I didn't like the fantasy genre at all until I read this, and I quickly bought the rest of the trilogy as soon as I could find them. Seriously, I will lend these to you!

The Screwtape Letters, and Basically Everything Else by C. S. Lewis

I realise that I've already mentioned him, but Narnia is just the tip of the iceberg for this dude. The Screwtape Letters is one of the most intelligent books I have ever read, and I could seriously put this in all three categories of books - for the mind, the creativity (heart?) and for the spirit.

And his non-fiction is amazing! The Weight of Glory, so they say, "addresses some of the most difficult issues we face in our day-to-day lives." That, though, won't do it any justice, so I will just quote it to you, and point you to where you can read it for free --

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but
too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

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