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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I'm not sure what to think of it all. On some level it's hard to escape the thought that this is the ur-Chronicles of Narnia. The whole book reads like a dream, not a fantasy. I appreciate the way that it approaches time; months, moments, and eons get equal emphasis. It helps to underscore the extent to which linear time doesn't have meaning in the spiritual realm. It also drives home a theme where the stakes are high, but the main character is not responsible for seeing those stakes come to fruition. He participates, but is mostly an observer. In fact, he does a good deal to detract. But we see ourselves through Mr. Vane and make his choices with him, gaining perspective (slowly then all at once) right with him. Also, hard to argue with a book that makes such a heavy use of the word "descried."
George MacDonald is one of the most severely underrated authors of all time. A contemporary to Lewis Caroll and major influence on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, this man’s imagination apparently knew no bounds and that is incredibly apparent in his masterpiece, Lilith. Narrated by a nameless everyman figure, it follows his adventures in a world he discovers after inheriting his father’s house and many unsettling circumstances there, leading him to a mirror which reveals another realm. Incredibly complex, this story is really more like a series of events that the narrator witnesses in this realm, all leading down to a confrontation with Lilith, the legendary “first wife” of Adam in various cults of Jewish faith. Ultimately, it is a story of the nature of evil and the hope of redemption but it is packed with literary allusion and stunning imagery that the reader will not soon forget. Written with a deft wit and a finesse for the subtleties of human nature, MacDonald deserves to be in the ranks of he highest of fantasy and allegorical writers rather than collecting dust at the bottom of knowledge’s shelf.
I wish I could have loved this book. My all-time favourite story is MacDonald’s Phantastes. I thought Lilith might have some of the same whimsy. But it was just dark. And a bit confusing. I didn’t hate This book but I didn’t love it either. It will be added to my George MacDonald collection on the shelf, but it is not on the top of the favourites list.
So far this is my favorite George MacDonald piece. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, and C.S. Lewis were clearly influenced by this work. Beautiful imagery, unlikely redemption, and good old nonsensical, metaphysical fun.
You can only read so many books in a lifetime; there is no reason to waste your time on this one.
A man goes into another world, it’s weird, he describes it to us, it’s tedious and boring. Lilith turns up halfway through to book, apparently she’s evil, more weird, but asinine shit happens, there’s some really tripe crap about being dead to be alive and let’s try to sound smart by contradicting ourself.
The author makes no attempt to say anything more than the tale, and the tale itself lack suspense, intrigue, a likeable hero, any likeable characters, a villain you hate or any qualities which may actually interest you.
A man goes into another world, it’s weird, he describes it to us, it’s tedious and boring. Lilith turns up halfway through to book, apparently she’s evil, more weird, but asinine shit happens, there’s some really tripe crap about being dead to be alive and let’s try to sound smart by contradicting ourself.
The author makes no attempt to say anything more than the tale, and the tale itself lack suspense, intrigue, a likeable hero, any likeable characters, a villain you hate or any qualities which may actually interest you.
A strange book, but with some very good bits interspersed with confusing bits. I got some magnificent quotes from it that are copied down in my quote book. Quite philosophical. I think it's one of those that are better the second time you read it. Maybe in a few years, I'll try it again.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
1 star = I did not like it, I did not finish the book
Absolutely random, the book, I feel, might appeal to fans of Alice in Wonderland - an eclectic walkthrough of one's chaotic journey with semi-bizarre encounters that feel shallow, short-lived and flaccid.
I did not get even into the second half of the book, so it is possible that a grander story would unfold. Though I do not need a grand story, don't get me wrong, but what Lilith has offered did not enrich me and I felt I was wasting my time with every sentence.
It might be it is just not for me, be sure to give it a try if what other reviewers say may interest you.
Absolutely random, the book, I feel, might appeal to fans of Alice in Wonderland - an eclectic walkthrough of one's chaotic journey with semi-bizarre encounters that feel shallow, short-lived and flaccid.
I did not get even into the second half of the book, so it is possible that a grander story would unfold. Though I do not need a grand story, don't get me wrong, but what Lilith has offered did not enrich me and I felt I was wasting my time with every sentence.
It might be it is just not for me, be sure to give it a try if what other reviewers say may interest you.