averilal 's review for:

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

5.0

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‘There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.'

This is by far the most interesting of Lewis’ books that I’ve read so far. It’s a story of a man (our unnamed narrator) who takes a tour bus from hell to heaven. He is our eye and ears throughout the tour and many assumptions about heaven, hell, love and choice are challenged. It’s amazing how well this book holds up, having been written in 1945, I really enjoyed it.

The quote above pretty much sums up Lewis’ position, you get what you want. The argument throughout the book is aimed at anyone who would say “This isn’t fair”. But Lewis makes the case that God is extremely fair. If you want him, he lets you have him, if you want everything but him, you will have it.

Wanting God is not about a desire, but a choice. To choose “death” and surrender of your own will, hence “Thy will be done”.