People don't like the ambiguity of Susan, but I've always felt like Lewis was leaving the door open for those who have lost sight of Narnia and aren't even looking for the Wardrobe anymore. Maybe the wardrobe will find them when they least expect it.
That poem. I don't get stopped in my tracks by poetry as often as some, but man. You can read it a couple entirely different ways. Gonna be pondering.
But the first thing that caught my eye was this: "I’m working hard to not just spout off about things I don’t understand well, and to not duplicate great things that are being said by others already. Which means I’m doing a lot of self-editing right now!" I've written and deleted so many words already. Plenty make it through nonetheless. It's so hard to know how much to keep calm and carry on these days. Maybe I need to spend more time watching the bee circle a clover.
Clay, you would particularly enjoy the history of that poet. He lived under the Nazis, survived that and got caught under the communists, then fled to the US. He has a lot of interesting things to say!
I’ve read your Susan story before and loved it and never forgot it. I enjoyed reading it again. I first read CS Lewis’s books a long time ago in the 70’s as a young teenager. The Susan ending always bothered me and I like your addendum much more. I think Lewis might agree now too.
People don't like the ambiguity of Susan, but I've always felt like Lewis was leaving the door open for those who have lost sight of Narnia and aren't even looking for the Wardrobe anymore. Maybe the wardrobe will find them when they least expect it.
I like your fanfic addition, haha.
I think that's 100% what Lewis was going for, and that the majority of his readers didn't quite get it.
I’ve always felt that too, Matt. But I love your “deleted scene” clearing that up for everyone
Thank you ☺️
That poem. I don't get stopped in my tracks by poetry as often as some, but man. You can read it a couple entirely different ways. Gonna be pondering.
But the first thing that caught my eye was this: "I’m working hard to not just spout off about things I don’t understand well, and to not duplicate great things that are being said by others already. Which means I’m doing a lot of self-editing right now!" I've written and deleted so many words already. Plenty make it through nonetheless. It's so hard to know how much to keep calm and carry on these days. Maybe I need to spend more time watching the bee circle a clover.
Clay, you would particularly enjoy the history of that poet. He lived under the Nazis, survived that and got caught under the communists, then fled to the US. He has a lot of interesting things to say!
What a life. Can you imagine just trying to get through adulting and then the world slides into authoritarianism like that?
That could never happen again!
🥲
That C.S. Lewis re-read is where I first came across your writing! I love that "deleted scene" so much.
Aw thanks so much Steffi!
I’ve read your Susan story before and loved it and never forgot it. I enjoyed reading it again. I first read CS Lewis’s books a long time ago in the 70’s as a young teenager. The Susan ending always bothered me and I like your addendum much more. I think Lewis might agree now too.
I hope so!