The Fantastic or Mythical is a Mode available at all ages for some readers; for others, at none. At all ages, if it is well used by the author and meets the right reader, it has the same power: to generalize while remaining concrete, to present in palpable form not concepts or even experiences but whole classes of experience, and to throw off irrelevancies. But at its best it can do more; it can give us experiences we have never had and thus, instead of ‘commenting on life,’ can add to it.
~ C. S. Lewis
(Of Other Worlds: Essays & Stories)
C.S. Lewis is one of my all-time favorite authors
I’ve yet to read his books, Laurie, although my daughter seemed to like them. Will have to put Lewis on my “to read” list since he is one of your favorites!
Just beautiful! Is’nt reading the books from the right authors when meets the right reader give a truly different experience much beyond where the reality stops? The picture is perfect. So, how are you doing Barbara? Its been a long time.
It’s so true, Sonali! If we are the “right” reader we can have “experiences we have never had.” I love the picture, too, especially as my husband Tim loves turtles.
I’m pretty good, Sonali, all things considered – having a little trouble balancing time for blogging, research, housework, gardening, reading, vegan cooking and changes that are needed in caring for my father, 90, and my aunt, 97. Will be taking a peek at your blog after I post this – hope all is well with you!
Oh your father & aunt are very old, definitely they need you & your support. Its okay if you blog little less often. But do take care, and make sure you don’t get much stressed out.
You’re so sweet, Sonali. Sometimes we call Dad and Auntie the ancient ones… 🙂
Hi,
Great reading the words of C.S. Lewis, always very good reading, and I love the picture very unusual, it actually took a couple of seconds before I realised she was sitting on a turtle, just magic.
Another vote for C.S. Lewis! 🙂 There’s a lot to see in the illustration, isn’t there? I love how the woman’s hair is so long that it even falls down to the turtle’s foot. Yes, magic!
Very interesting quote…. thanks
You’re welcome, Merrill!
What a lovely thought-provoking picture!
Thank you, Sheryl! There is a lot of food for thought there in the scene…
Many of the natives say that North America is a turtle upon whose back we ride. Beautiful photo and quote!
Thank you, Kathy! If the turtle was large enough and strong enough to support me comfortably, I think it would be an amazing experience to have a ride on one and get a turtle’s perspective on the journey.
Hi. Love the stars in the background and the red tree to the right! Jane
I love the sparkly stars, too, Jane! A dash of red here and there always adds something special, too… 🙂
Hi Barbara,
I love the illustration of the turtle, but boy oh boy C.S. Lewis is so wordy. I’m sure someone else could’ve said that whole paragraph in a few words.
Ah, Rosie, then perhaps Lewis is one of those writers that my dad would have labeled “verbose” and “garrulous” and poked fun at while we were eating dinner, absorbing his opinions on literature. No wonder there were never any C.S. Lewis books in our house!
That illustration is SO delightful. And CS Lewis is such an inspiration…I am going to share this!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this pairing, Diane! And thank you muchly for sharing!
I like the picture.
I’m glad you like the picture, Paul!
I agree. Each one of us has the ability to go to a place in our mind and heart that bring a sense of fascination and magic. We had them as kids and somehow during our adult life , we forgot. It is never too late to start looking from within and experience an amazing mystic event. Beautiful words with a mesmerizing painting. Have a great weekend my friend.
Childhood is a wonderful, magical, mystical time. Lucky are the adults who can return often to that inspiring place in our minds and hearts!
I saw that picture and thought – I’ve seen that before somewhere, and went beetling off to Google to look up her work and realised that she illustrated Tanglewood Tales! Which I have (or had – I hope I still have it, I shall have to go and look). Thank you for reminding me of that. Also of the C.S.Lewis quote. As a child I was a fan of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I believe he also wrote some other interesting stuff but I didn’t quite get into his more ‘mature’ writings. I had a copy, for many years, of The Screwtape Letters but didn’t get into it.
There was a film – Shadowlands – about his life, with Anthony Hopkins, many years ago. I keep meaning to get a DVD of it.
Hmmm – will have to see if I can locate copies of Shadowlands and Tanglewood Tales – so many words to read and pictures to see … I love Virginia Frances Sterrett’s illustrations, they transport me to another world!