I just finished Malcolm Guite's Galahad and the Grail is this morning. I was so moved by the beauty of the ending, the way it weaves its way with the beginning lines of the prologue: "Poet, take up the tale!" Incredibly well-done.
Malcolm shares this gift of a modern classic with us through his knowledge as a scholar, his heart as a priest, told with all his skill as a poet.
I'm very much looking forward to the following three volumes to come.
Also, if I was a tattooin' man, I'd put this on my arm:
Working my way through The Last Battle now by C.S. Lewis, the seventh and final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. So good. I had mentioned recently how The Silver Chair might be my favorite of the series, but going through this one makes me think this is the best of the lot. The way Lewis mingles hope and devastation together in this story is palpable. Also, it must have been many years since I last read this book because I don’t remember most of it, so it feels like I’m reading the story for the first time. And listening to Patrick Stewart narrate it has been amazing.
Loving Galahad and the Grail by Malcolm Guite. It's the first of four forthcoming volumes of a new epic poetic Arthuriad, and this first volume is beautiful – both the story and poetry, the incredible illustrations by Stephen Crotts, and the actual physical book itself. Thankful for the incredible gift Malcolm Guite is to the world of literary art.
The Chronicles of Narnia – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
It had been some years since I last visited the world of Narnia. This one is one of my favorites from the series. I love the sea voyage (reminded me of Odysseus’ sea-faring adventures in the Odyssey), Eustace’ transformation and reformation, meeting an embodied star, Reepicheep’s undaunted courage, and the beauty and wonder of crystal sea at the world’s end. Completing this story feels like I’ve been to the edge of the world and back. Most of all, I love the way Lewis can depict beauty and goodness. For some reason, I feel like goodness and beauty is much harder to describe in these modern times. But he, along with J.R.R. Tolkien, are master’s at not only showing the ugliness of evil, but the glory of goodness. It’s like they have sat with both, but become completely enamored with the deeper reality of truth, goodness, and beauty.
One of my favorite quotes from this story:
“In our world,” said Eustace, “a star is a huge ball of flaming gas.” “Even in your world, my son, that is not what a star is but only what it is made of.” [said Ramandu, an embodied star]
Finished Marilynne Robinson's Home today. Such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful story. It contains that quality of bright sadness. The novel stirred up my own thoughts and questions about home. I wrote about them here.
Starting The Artist's Way today with a good friend for quarter two. It's like a 12-steps program over 12 weeks for those who want to connect again to that creative part of themselves. I'm looking forward to the challenge!
I'm about 90% done with Home by Marilynne Robinson. It's such a beautiful book. "Can a person ever change?" is the question underlying the whole narrative and I'm loving it. All the characters & conversations feel so real and honest. Grateful for this story.
