A Harris poll has tried to ferret out America’s favorite book by asking 2,513 people.
Category Archives: Fiction
How Novels Work
John Mullan, senior lecturer in English at University College London and using material from his “Elements of Fiction” column in The Guardian, has a book on novel called How Novels Work, from Oxford UP.
How Novels Work explains how the pleasures of novel reading often come from the formal ingenuity of the novelist, making visible techniques and effects we are often only half-aware of as we read. It is an entertaining and stimulating volume that will captivate anyone who is interested in the contemporary or the classical novel.
The Great Comic-Book Scare
Terry Teachout reviews a history book on cultural splash some comic books made a while back. The book is The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America, by David Hajdu. (via Abe Greenwald)
Tags: comic books, horror comics, culture, American history
Narnia Book Contest: Favorite Lines
I think my favorite scene from The Chronicles of Narnia, at least the one I repeat to myself most often, is one from The Horse and His Boy. Aslan says, “Have a care, Rabadash. The doom is nearer now: it is at the door: it has lifted the latch.”
But Rabadash replies, “Let the skies fall! Let the earth gape! Let blood and fire obliterate the world! But be sure I will never desist till I have dragged to my palace by her hair the barbarian queen, the daughter of dogs, the–”
“‘The hour has struck,'” said Aslan: and Rabadash saw, to his supreme horror, that everyone had begun to laugh.” They laugh because the evil prince has begun to morph into a donkey.
I’m often on the watch for a chance to say “Have a care, Rabadash,” to someone overzealous. It’s probably my prideful heart.
But what are your favorite lines from the Narnia stories? Let us know in the comments, and by doing so you may enter our giveaway drawing for one of two movie themed books. The larger of the two is seen below.
This is a Prince Caspian movie cover on a large paperback of all seven books plus a newly designed Narnia Timeline fold-out. I wonder if the fold came from the illustration work done in Narnia Chronology. Of course, Narnia Chronology is a full book of Narnia trivia and details. The fold-out in this edition of The Chronicles of Narnia is a simple, illustrated timeline–a nice perk. We are giving away a paperback of this edition and a small paperback of the Prince Caspian novel with an insert of movie photos.
Commenting on this post will enter you in our contest unless you exempt yourself (Lars, you’re exempt). Multiple comments will not increase your chances. I’ll just make a list of everyone’s name and use a random number generator to pick who wins. You must include your email address with your comment so I can write you to ask for your mailing address.
I’ll announce a winner for Prince Caspian next Thursday, April 3. I’ll announce a winner for The Chronicles of Narnia paperback next Friday, April 4.
So what’s your favorite lines from Narnia? Something about Turkish Delight? “Beards and Bedsteads”? “And they call it a mine, heh, a mine!” I can’t remember what book that last one is from . . .
Tags: narnia, chronicles of narnia, Prince Caspian, free, books, giveaway
Rosenberg’s Next Novel is Dead Heat
I just heard about Joel Rosenberg’s latest: Dead Heat.
In his new political thriller DEAD HEAT, New York Times best-selling author and Middle East expert Joel C. Rosenberg depicts a worst case scenario for the United States: a nation that has fallen asleep and allowed terrorists to attack during a campaign season.
Rosenberg writes solid political thrillers about headline events, so you may want to check out this one in the next few months.
Prince Caspian
Who among us has not read Prince Caspian, the second of the Narnia books (unless you are devoted to the new numbering system on some editions)? Well, HarperCollins is talking to other people when they encourage young and old alike to read the book before seeing the movie. The publisher’s webpage has information about the book, book-related games, and a contest for a trip to the movie premiere in New York (opening in less than two months). Facebook users can catch a bit of buzz over here.
The publisher has added something new to The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Movie Tie-in Edition, “an 8-page, fold-out insert based on C. S. Lewis’s own timeline conceived for Narnia.” This is a hard-bound edition of all seven books and a “special full-color timeline, recreated from C. S. Lewis’s original and paired with Pauline Baynes’ classic full-color illustrations for the first time. [It offers] the key to the passage of time in Narnia and Earth by laying the two worlds side by side. Never before has C. S. Lewis’s timeline been included in a complete edition of all seven books of Narnia.”
If that isn’t cool enough, Brandywine Books will have being hosting a Narnia book giveaway someday soon, so tell your friends. I’ll let you know when I can.
Person’s a Person or Something Like That
Last weekend, the movie adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who opened. It looks like a fun my girls will enjoy.
You might think the essence of the story affirms life at all stages, but I’ve read that Dr. Seuss and his widow always disapproved of the signature phrase, “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” being used as a pro-life message. A few years ago, a biographer discussed the matter on a book show in Australia:
Amanda Smith (of Book Talk): And then, also, the anti-abortion lobby in the United States has used a line from Horton Hears a Who, the line that says, ‘A person’s a person, no matter how small.’ Would that have been in accord with Seuss’s intended meaning?
Philip Nel (author of Dr Seuss – American Icon): Absolutely not. In fact, during his lifetime Seuss threatened to sue an anti-abortion group unless they took that off their stationery and they did take it off their stationery but it’s still used. I’ve still seen propaganda in recent years from pro-life groups that have adopted Horton’s line, ‘A person’s a person, no matter how small.’ It’s one of the ways in which Seuss has been misappropriated. He would not agree with that.
I don’t remember the book clearly, but I wonder if this story is larger or beyond Dr. Seuss’ intentions. Once a story is published, it’s out of the author’s hands, is it not? An author may have written something with themes he doesn’t fully agree with, stumbling on truths he does not recognize.
Not Always the Point
Sure, you found the body of your employer lodged uncomfortably in the copier and a threat to your co-workers smeared on the wall in toner power. It’d make a powerful story, but sometimes a crime novel isn’t just about the crime.
And Now for Something Completely Different
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight–The Short Version!
Chestertonian Rambler has edited and modernized the story of everyone’s favorite medieval giant.
Gawain: I’m not good at anything but talking. I’ll take the honors.
Arthur: Helpful tip: Beheaded Enemies rarely have the ability to return the blow.
Gawain: Sure thing. *cuts off Green Knight’s head in a single stroke*
Green Knight’s head: Jolly good times! See you next year, at the green chapel!
We Mourn the Death of . . Wait! He’s Back!
Marvel Comics revives Captain America. No, the original man did not come back to life, but another character has taken up his mantle.
. . . killing off Captain America last year seemed to give him new life with readers. The editor was taken aback when newspapers even carried obituaries on the character. “Not since the 1940s have we seen Cap being this popular,” he said.
Why doesn’t Captain America have a good–I mean, good–movie yet? Maybe there will be one in 2009.