In this article we will review The Great Divorce by Clive Lewis.
Book Plot
“The Great Divorce” is a novel by C.S. Lewis and is an allegorical tale about heaven and hell. The story follows an unnamed narrator who finds himself in a grim and joyless city, the “grey town”, which is either Hell or Purgatory depending on whether or not one stays there. He boards a bus that takes him up into the clouds and to a beautiful land. The surroundings make him uncomfortable and his guide, George McDonald, helps him understand the events that transpire by offering advice and insight. The narrator talks with some of the other people on the bus, some of whom remember dying in various ways. One man, Ikey, tells the narrator that the grey town is always getting bigger as more and more people enter it. Some of these people get closer to the bus stop, so that one day they can drive away. Others drift farther from the bus stop—indeed, some people in grey town must be millions of miles from the bus stop by now. The bus lands on a huge cliff, and the narrator and the other passengers get out. They find that they’ve landed by a beautiful river, surrounded by grass and trees. However, the narrator quickly discovers that everything in this place is motionless—even the blades of grass are rigid and hard. This makes walking around very painful. The narrator also realizes that he no longer has a solid body—he and his peers are ghosts. The narrator slowly realizes that he’s in the afterlife. As he realizes this, he sees a group of Spirits approaching the ghosts. The Spirits are bright and have solid bodies—they’ve come to try to convince the ghosts to come with them toward the beautiful, majestic mountains in the distance. But most of the ghosts refuse to do so. The novel explores themes of good and evil, the nature of humanity, and the relationship between God and the universe.
The Great Divorce Rating : 4,3
Also book has 160 pages
The Great Divorce Review
This book by C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites, offering valuable insights into the relationship between God and man. As a Christian, I am happy to discuss the book with those who are interested, but I won’t force my beliefs on anyone. The book is easy to read and can be enjoyed as a novel, with some sections that provide teachings embedded in a fantasy story. While the Christian themes are apparent, non-Christians may still appreciate the story without feeling pressured to adopt any beliefs. The title of the book is a response to Blake’s work, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, offering a contrasting viewpoint. Overall, I believe Christians will find this book uplifting, thought-provoking, enlightening, and instructional. Even non-Christians or those without religious beliefs may find value in approaching the book as a fantasy. Despite being a Christian book, readers can gain a deeper understanding of God’s plan and provision by studying the Triune-God through this work. C.S. Lewis’ wisdom shines through in his writings, making this book highly recommended.
Check Suggested Books
Our Mission
At our book reviews website, our mission is to ignite and nurture a love for reading by providing insightful, honest, and diverse reviews that empower readers to discover new literary gems and make informed choices about their next read. We believe that books have the power to inspire, educate, and connect people from all walks of life, and our goal is to cultivate a vibrant community of bibliophiles who share their passion for literature and engage in meaningful discussions about the books that enrich their lives. Through our commitment to excellence, integrity, and inclusivity, we strive to be a trusted source of literary criticism and a valuable resource for readers seeking to explore the vast and captivating world of books.