A Book Review of On Stories, by C.S. Lewis
We’ve often said that a soul short on story is lacking a real luster and zest that seems to only be able to come from such pages that can stir you in a way that no other experience can. Story moves us, sustains us, embarks us on journeys we take over and over, even after the unforgettable first experience with a favorite tale.
Sharing a favorite story can be a treasured event. John and I adore the Narnia stories by Lewis. We waited years to share them with our boys, often debating, ‘Are they old enough? Are you sure they’ll remember it? Even though we planned on sharing them many times, we wanted the first time to be especially memorable. We waited until we felt they were old enough to fully understand the stories and retain a few favorite passages.
Sharing a favorite story
On the day we first read Narnia, the boys had a special place picked out for us to read. Upon moving into our new house, their bedroom closet had a closet within that closet, and we told them it was like the Wardrobe room of Narnia. So naturally we had to read in there! John’s idea was to read by candle light in this inner closet and share this sacred tale together. I can still remember seeing each other’s faces aglow by flame. We were hoping to set a fire in the boys as well. We wanted them to love story, and to know you can revisit one like an old friend. You can also share in the joy of seeing others enjoy it as well.
When we got to the second book of Narnia, we made paper snowflakes and hung them from the closet ceiling. Then, I was ready with a big surprise! I had tracked down some Turkish delight and wrapped it in a tin. This was a big hit and something to look forward to each time we opened the pages of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Other Narnian stories we have read by campfire in fall, or by the fire inside. In the winter months we enjoy an indoor fire in our cozy living room. We look at a big, painted map of Narnia for reference as we’ve explored the following books and learned what lands and areas they’re passing through.
This experience of story has made all the difference. Enjoying and talking about a story together has almost made us a family book club of sorts. We look forward to story time and revel in the memories made. Great stories always lend themselves to great relationship in discussing them and enjoying them with others.
True Story Transports You
Lewis makes the point in this collection of essays, that story is not just about the actions described. The story is not simply a culmination of excitement and plot. A great story is one that has backstory, history, and experience. A tale that transports you to that time, that place, those people so that you can really imagine and grasp what’s happening in a way that’s more than a logical flow of events. It’s memorable.
He discusses fairy tale and fantasy and it’s mode of ‘best saying what’s to be said.’ It has a remarkable ability to be the best medium of message sometimes.
On children’s writing, he states that ‘a story only enjoyable to read in childhood isn’t really worth reading at all.’ That a great story should grip a reader of any age.
