Just finished rereading That Hideous Strength, by C.S. Lewis.
I had read it once before, when I was about 14 I believe but hadn’t recognized nearly any of the references. Having studied the Inklings all year though, the allusions were obvious.
George MacDonald’s Curdie stories are mentioned in passing.
In one scene the characters discuss some of Owen Barfield’s philosophy of meaning.
Tolkien is not bought up by name, but Lewis hijacks his mythology of Numenor = Atlantis all over the place and even refers to our own world as “Middle Earth” on several occasions.
Charles Williams Arthurian poetry cycle “Taliesin through Logres” is quoted, but that is only the beginning. Huge chunks of William’s reimagined Arthur, Merlin, and early Britain are built right into the plot.
And those are just the direct references. One of the evil characters (Wither) is said to be based on real-life colleague of his. Another character (MacPhee) is likely the incarnation of his rationalist childhood tutor.
Anyway, good stuff. A grand turning of tables at the end. I can understand if some people find it unsatisfying though. Nevertheless, it’s packed with relevant themes and conflicts. One gets the feeling it could have been written yesterday.
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September 27th, 2009 at 8:04 AM
It’s my favourite of his “space” trilogy.I’ve just been reading Diana Pavlac Glyer’s Inklings book, about how they influenced other. Apparently Tolkien was a bit peeved by the “Numinor” bit.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Oh, I didn’t know about that book. I just went and checked it out at the library today
Thanks.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:42 AM
I’m enjoying it a lot, hope you do too.