the Abolition of Man

This book is a trio of lectures by C.S. Lewis on the proper relationship between Nature & Truth, and as such the threats of subjectivism & scientism. I've read it for this blog before (see previous post) and I don't think I have all too much to add - I still think Lewis is far stronger as a rational apologist than as a full-weight philosopher of any ilk, but I do think on my previous reading I was a bit harsh on him.* This is far from the best text out there dealing with its themes, but as a series of essays introducing the topic to a lay audience, I think it paints a coherent and valuable picture. The contrast posited between tradition & progressivism especially upon this reading struck me as rather salient, even bespeaking some possible influence from Owen Barfield's Lucifer-Ahriman dynamic, which seemed to be lurking behind some of Lewis's points. I think Lewis in his polemic here is a little dramatic, seeing in modernism particularly (one shudders to think what he would have actually made of postmodernism had he lived to see it bear its fruits) the basic erasure of everything that roots us to our humanity, but nonetheless taken with a pinch of salt this is a very thought-provoking & interesting sketch.

* I think having read That Hideous Strength last year softened me substantially, as there Lewis develops the ideas of these essays to a fictional conclusion that I found to be very convincingly satisfactory indeed.

When the Trees Say Nothing

This book, edited & introduced by Kathleen Deignan,* is a curation of extracts from 20th-century mystic monk Thomas Merton's voluminous writings - specifically those that ruminate on the spiritual life we have in & with the natural world. These extracts are split into eight chapters: firstly, general reflections on what it means to know living things; then the seasons [autumn, winter, spring, summer]; the elements [earth, air, fire, water]; the firmament [sky & clouds, sun & moon, planets & stars]; creatures [butterflies & birds, rams & lambs, rodents & rabbits, horses & cattle, snakes & frogs, deer & dogs, bees & bugs]; festivals [rain, flowers, trees]; then finally the presence of mountains & the sanctuary of forests. I really enjoyed this book - it's a doxology of experience rather than any kind of systematized argument or collection of points. If you're a Christian who doesn't take creation with the seriousness, reverence & joy it deserves, this book will nudge you in a healthier direction - and vice versa if you're a non-Christian nature-lover who doesn't take the God who is present in all creation with the seriousness, reverence & joy He deserves! Overall a very pleasant & spiritually-edifying read, and it's made me hungry to seek out some of Merton's other works.

* And illustrated by John Giuliani - though I have to say, while the pictures are nice, there isn't many of them, and the prose is already so beautifully descriptive & thus immersive that they don't really serve to add much.

A Bit Lost

This book by Chris Haughton is a lift-the-flap illustrated adventure. I read it to my friend Dave's 2-1/4 year old son, who, when I visited Dave earlier today for a long overdue catchup, no sooner than I had been presented with a cup of tea & settled myself upon the sofa, demanded (very nicely, mind you) that I read it to him. And I have to say, for a book to read with/to children under the age of four or so, it's not bad at all!

   In it, our protagonist Little Owl falls out of his* tree. He panics, but soon meets a squirrel, who determines to help him re-find his mother. Due to the limitations of linguistic description, Squirrel leads Little Owl, one-by-one, into contact with a Bear, a Rabbit, and a Frog - obviously none of whom are Mummy Owl. Then finally, with Frog's input, Squirrel guesses correctly, and Little & Mummy Owls are reunited. The story closes with Squirrel & Frog being invited back to the Owls' nest for biscuits (it is unclear why Bear & Rabbit aren't invited, but I guess they weren't as immediately helpful as Frog was). Simple story, well-phrased for children learning their way around books, and the illustration style (which is by the author, I gather) is delightful. A great book for very young children.

* Little Owl is simply referred to throughout as Little Owl, with no pronouns being used, so I assume it's fair to say he could just as easily be she, but I was reading it to a young boy so that's where the character placement found itself in my head.