There are some general ways in which reading has been good for me. Expanding my world, teaching me to compassionately understand people in very different situations and cultures, helping me to think clearly and to express myself clearly, etc., etc. I'm not going to get into all of those now. This time, I want to write a post which honors some of the books which have been most influential in my life and mentions some of the specific ways in which they changed things for me. Some of these taught me a key lesson. Some portrayed something beautiful or interesting. Some included one image or one emotion that I have never been able to forget.
I may add to this post at other times. I could be writing this for a long, long time. But for now, without further ado, a beginning of a post to honor books that have changed my perspective in important ways, and through changing my perspective have changed my life.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: "Is he... safe?" "Safe? Who said anything about safe? Of course he's not safe. But he's good."
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: For encouragement to face the Shadow wherever it hides. "Always, after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again." Yet it does continue to be defeated, sometimes by the unlikeliest heroes.
I Corinthians: For showing me what love means and that it truly is more important than anything else I can do. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
I Corinthians: For showing me what love means and that it truly is more important than anything else I can do. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
The Curse of Chalion by Lois Master Bujold: because when I think of loyalty I think of Cazaril's scarred back and how he came back to serve again and again. May I perform my duty and love those I serve half, nay, a tenth as well as Cazaril.
The Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay: "It's just a _____." "No. This is a death." For teaching me how to grieve, and how to allow myself to grieve what is not a literal death. For teaching me about loving despite the fear of loss. For teaching me about the meaning of art. And for making me wish with all my might to see a mosaic in a dome, and when I got my wish years later, to know what to look for.
The Lord of the Rings: Faramir's courage. Not to love honor and power and the good opinion of others for themselves, but for the good things they can protect. Strength of character to turn down the Ring. Strength to defy his father, the man whose good opinion he most wanted, when necessary. Strength to go into battle as the greatest of captains even though he did not truly love war when it was necessary to protect his home. Strength not to be angry at how his brother always overshadowed him.
Perelandra by C.S. Lewis: May I always remember to treasure the good I am given and not spoil it with complaints about missing the inferior good I expected.
Philippians: Because in Christ we always have reason for joy. Because God does good even in terrible circumstances. Because Christ Jesus, the one man who deserved the most, gave it up and accepted the worst of punishments for our sake, and He is our example. Because from Christ's example we can learn to give up our rights for others. Because God does give us peace when we pray about all our anxieties.
Genesis: Because it may take years to see, but God has a plan even when people mean their actions for evil. Joseph's brothers couldn't thwart Him.
The Soldier Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb: Because of perhaps the first fully sympathetic, detailed look I ever came across at how awful it would be to be obese. Yes, sometimes something that simple, done right, can make a book great.
The Lord of the Rings: An enemy can be won into a friend just by looking at him with understanding, as Gimli was won by Galadriel.
A Call to Die by David Nasser: For challenging me to take my faith very seriously and showing me some of the tangible things that could mean.
The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks: For showing that even assassins and prostitutes can be redeemed and delving deeply into exactly what it would take to do so.
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay: For making me reflect on times when a kind of pride is redemptive, not destructive, and what differentiates the two. And for the purest representation I have read of revenge and what it does and how it mingles with and sabotages love.
The Lord of the Rings: For showing that sometimes the battles that hurt the most happen when we return home and see evil at work... but our struggles elsewhere will give us the strength we need to overcome it.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: Because of how vitally important it is to do our duty and to do it passionately. Karenin lacked passion and Anna lacked any sense of duty and they both destroyed themselves and those around them.
The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks: For showing clearly what happens when you say "No" to God in just one little thing.
Mordant's Need by Stephen R. Donaldson: Because of Geraden and Eremis, who showed me how to separate "good" from "cool." Trust someone who is good at heart, loyal, and kind, even when he is also clumsy, awkward, and seemingly no good at anything; never trust someone just because he is suave, charismatic, clever, and good with words, if it appears that he may also be manipulative, cold, and selfish. Geraden will not let you down in the end.
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis: Because even if the Good were a lie it would be worth fighting for, though praise God! it is not a lie.
Matthew: "Do not worry therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." God watches and cares for us at all times.
This is a beginning. There are many more. But let this suffice for part one.
I caught myself inwardly cheering at each book and lesson I recognized, and I appreciate those I didn't. Thank you, Melanie.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting lesson you drew from The Silver Chair. I just came across a similar one in Hinds' Feet on High Places. The protagonist (if anyone but Christ can be considered a protagonist), Much-Afraid, had been harped along her journey by her enemy named Bitterness who told her that the Shepherd had lied to her, that He would not take her to the High Places, but he would leave stranded and humiliated. When she comes to the mist, where it is hard to see the High Places and be reminded of Shepherd's promise, she learns not just to trust Him to keep His word, but swears to follow Him even if he should lie to her, she said, "My Lord-if you can deceive me, you may.It can make no difference. I must love you as a long as I continue to exist. I cannot live without loving you." Eventually she realizes "right down in the depths of her own heart she really had but one passionate desire, not for things which the Shepherd had promised, but for himself."