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Okay guys.
@Hope gave me a book with three of G.K. Chesterton’s novels in it as an early birthday present, and though I have only read one of them so far it completely blew my mind.
It was The Ball and the Cross.Has anyone else read it? If so, can we please discuss how amazing it is? If you haven’t read it… don’t waste another minute of your life. Go and get it. Somehow. Anyhow. I don’t care how you get it, just so long as you do.
I’ve a sneaking suspicion it’s not for everyone— even I, for whom theological and philosophical abstractities are pure bliss, found it difficult to follow on a few points, but if you don’t mind serious and deep thinking, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. As a piece of literature it’s probably the most powerful ‘theological’ novel I’ve ever read (that’s not even barring The Screwtape Letters) and as a study in execution of theme (LISTEN UP @ARATREA AND @DAEUS) it is excellent.
The only possible objections are a few swear-words. Otherwise, I cannot speak highly enough of this story.GO READ IT. NOW.
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@Micheal-Stanton@Kate-Flournoy, I’ve read it! I’ve read it! Yes, please let’s talk about how amazing it is. Go!
You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)
@kate-flournoy Yeah, I’ve read it. I agree with you that it’s really good. I was a bit disappointed that the climax relied on a miracle though since that’s outside the realm of normal human experience, so it’s less powerful because of that, but overall I was very pleased. And, yeah, I’ll talk about it all you want. (I was especially pleased with the descriptions.)
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@kate-flournoy Your post got marked as spam. If your post doesn’t show up, that’s probably why. In these cases, just tag me or Rolena and we’ll get it fixed.
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Okay, @Northerner, first of all, we need to talk about the theme and the incredible use of symbolism. At first I thought it was going to be a fairly normal story about an atheist and a Catholic who challenged each other to a duel and it was eventually going to end up one converting the other (no prizes for guessing who. 😉 ) and then with them going on to tell the world the truth.
I totally was not expecting the allegorical twist it took at the end. (Sorry @Daeus. I loved it). No spoilers for those who haven’t read it, but I loved the way it basically contrasted McIan and Turnbull (who is, by the way, hands down the best atheistic character I have ever come across) and their passionate struggle against the apathy of society, and showed in the end that society does not hate God, but rather finds Him irrelevant, and that in that blind and altogether scientific ignorance Satan’s hatred finds victory… for a time, at least. 🙂
I see what you mean about the miracle, Daeus, but I was too busy reeling from the allegorical significance of the little man deep down in that doorless cell to be upset.As for the symbolism— AUGH! *clutches hair* I cannot get over how completely and perfectly the Ball symbolized a society that is defined by and for itself; complete and fat and content and utterly self-centered. That contrasted to the stark paradox of the Cross; the conflict and passion of it… *shakes head* It was just so beautifully done.
The characterization was also top-notch. And as @Daeus mentioned, the descriptions were amazing. They were amazing because they were symbolic, and attached to the characters’ emotions— a sunset that was red and violent, because the man who saw it felt that the world was being torn apart from the inside out. A little man seen against another sunset who looked like a devil because of his strange hair, and later turned out to be a horrible man who believed with a disgusting fanaticism in the right of force… it was all so amazingly tied together.
Also, while I’m ranting, may I just say that the use of foil characters to enhance the theme was amazing.That’s it. The whole thing is amazing. I’m crazy over it. In case you couldn’t tell. 😛
Did you have anything to add on the descriptions, @Daeus?
@kate-flournoy If I wasn’t mistaken, I’d say that you tagged every KP person in existence. 😛
☀ ☀ ☀ ENFP ☀ ☀ ☀
Btw, I recommend people only tag the active people because that huge list of tags seems to have triggered the spam filter.
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@Dragon-Snapper wait, how did this thread show up again? People couldn’t find it… this is weird…
But, yes. I have a secret list… *grins*Ahhh, I see. @Daeus fixed it. Thanks Daeus.
@kate-flournoy I restored it. If you ever have this problem in the future, just tag me and I’ll get it fixed.
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Thank you. 🙂
I have not read “The Ball and the Cross” (yet– I just started the audiobook last night), but I have read Chesterton’s “Man Who Was Thursday.” It was a fascinating and fantastic book, and I’d highly recommend it. The ending is just crazy, and I need to read it again. I have heard that it was inspired by the book of Job, and the premise (though by no means what the book is about) is that a police office infiltrates an anarchist organization and becomes one of their seven leaders, Thursday. It is quite a ride, even if you see some of the things that are coming (though you will definitely not see the ending coming.)
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