Sofa Spotlight - C. S. Lewis: A Life, Alister McGrath

I grew up loving the Chronicles of Narnia. The land of Narnia wasn’t somewhere that I just read in the novels, I of course watched and enjoyed every adaptation that was available. And who couldn’t enjoy the BBC adaptations from the late 80’s? Mr Beaver – terrifying.  But on top of all that I explore the lands C. S. Lewis had created in my imagination most days. I loved them.

My next experience of Lewis was in The Screwtape Letters, which in my opinion, are a work of genius. Mere Christianity was my most recent read of his and I am yet to read the Space Trilogy, or any of his other non-fiction works. So it was only natural when I saw this book that I would want to read it and meet the man behind the works that I had so much enjoyed.

Initially I found it hard to get into. I’m not a huge biography reader and I often find the opening chapters hard going. But once I had battled through that I found this to be a fascinating book. It was the kind where you get annoyed by interruptions and you have to be reminded to eat.

There was so much that I didn’t know about C. S. Lewis. My knowledge of him had kind of been limited to an awe of someone who could create a world like Narnia. I remember when I first found out that he was an Oxford academic and had a bit of difficulty getting my head around him being both academic and immensely creative. I know it’s not that unusual to be both but I was young. But that was where my knowledge ended. I had no idea about his involvement with WWI or about his relationships with his father and brother.

So yes, one I would most certainly recommend. Make a brew, or get an ice cream and make an afternoon of it.

Sofa Spotlight - The Pat Hobby Stories, F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the spirit of giving writers that I’m not sure about another chance, I decided to crack on and read these short stories. The Great Gatsby didn’t do much for me, but I had better success with Babylon Revisited, so maybe the Pat Hobby Stories would work out. And they sort of did but by the end I was glad to say goodbye to Pat Hobby and move on.

So who is Pat Hobby? He is a failed screen writer, loitering around Hollywood (I assume it was Hollywood) looking for a job, or more accurately, hoping that a job will fall into his lap. There is a feel of Bertie Wooster to him, in that he gets caught up in quite a few scrapes and, when he does get out of them, resolve themselves in remarkable ways.

A bit of research seemed to imply that Fitzgerald based Pat Hobby on himself. Which made me quite sad because Pat isn’t the kind of character you would want to have based on yourself, comedic as he is.

My main problem with the stories is the 1920’s style of writing. It’s ok if you can get into it, but I found it particularly difficult to navigate in some of these stories. But if that isn’t something that bothers you then I’m sure you will enjoy this collection.

Sofa Spotlight - Wilder Girls, Rory Power

This is the YA debut of Rory Power and it was phenomenal. The story is set in a girls school located on an island. A terrible illness has swept through the school and now they are quarantined (sound familiar).

Unlike Covid-19 this virus gives the girls mutations that are bizarre and include stuff like extra limbs. Their contact with the mainland involves a delivery of food and supplies that the boat crew go to collect. The boat crew are the only ones allowed to leave the school grounds. But of course those rules get broken.

Outside the ground it’s dangerous as the virus as turned the wildlife and vegetation into extreme predators. Less so with the trees but you get the vibe they’re not friendly. 

Hetty finds herself as part of the boat crew and pulled into an even darker narrative than being in lockdown at school. Especially when her friend Byatt disappears. It is a gripping psychological read that doesn’t let you stop guessing right until the end. 

Highly recommend it but there is a bit of graphic stuff in here so be aware of that. Great read though. 

Sofa Spotlight - Zone One, Colson Whitehead

Picked this up after reading The Nickel Boys. Very different story. This one set in New York in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. The story follows a clean up team as they try to put New York back together. The zombies are still out there but they have hope that the situation can be reversed.

It’s a good read, and kind of making me think. I know I enjoyed it because I had a dream about it. Basically, in my dream I ended up rewriting the ending because I needed a more conclusive ending. My dreams ending was the zombies taking themselves to cemeteries and graveyards where they belonged and all the trains and busses were rammed with them.

The actual ending is a lot more thought provoking and one that I didn’t anticipate. Colson Whitehead creates a completely new take on our world and the characters are very intriguing. 

I was left thinking about what I would do in a similar situation. One scene in the book sees the early days when the virus that turns people into zombies. One of the main characters is on a train when someone in the next carriage shows symptoms. Chaos ensues. And just before we went into lockdown I too was on a train and I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do if Covid-19 was a more sinister strain of virus. 

Anyway it’s a thought provoking, distracting read.

Sofa Spotlight - D-Day, Antony Beevor

Reading our history, particularly in times like these, is always interesting. I’ve read this book before and found it hard going, but this time round I found it hard to read for a different reason. War is not pretty. And the suffering that was endured was horrific.

By no means a short book but the events of D-Day are well told. I’m no historian but I learnt much from these pages. Would definitely recommend it. Things like these shouldn’t be forgotten and acts of bravery and endurance of suffering didn’t stop there. Just as we need to remember what happened 80ish years ago, so we the events of today will also be recorded with their acts of bravery and suffering.

Maybe not the most uplifting book to read at this time, but maybe it would be inspiring. And it’s probably long enough to see you through until this is over.