Off the Bookshelf: DOROTHY AND JACK: The Transforming Friendship of Dorothy L. Sayers and C.S. Lewis, by Gina Dalfonzo

 

Yet another book that proves I have a bad habit of buying far too many books in a year than I can read. And some, regrettably, sit and wait for nearly two years before I take one off the to-be-read stack and actually start reading.

And when I do ... I don't want to put that book down.

Delightful, enlightening, educational experience. I bought this book because I'm a C.S. Lewis fan, a free Narnian, and trying to live up to his challenge about using the fantastical for Kingdom purposes. More opportunities to get to know him, his life, his thinking -- yeah, go for it.

Now ... I think I've discovered a new author to become passionate about. The thing is, I've encountered Sayers multiple times in the past. Most recently, her novel Gaudy Night was part of an Aurora Teagarden mystery episode. I really have to free up some space on my to-be-read mountain for some of her books. Starting with Lord Peter Wimsey's adventures. I know I read a collection of short stories about him years ago ... where did I file it?

This book is a must-read for any fan of either or both authors, with snatches of their correspondence over the years, interactions with mutual friends, growth and changes in their lives and careers, their writing successes, and joys and sorrows. Bravo to the author. Her passion for both subjects comes through, and her honesty in dealing with their foibles and fears and questionable choices is admirable and refreshing. 

I think I might even be brave enough to try to read Sayers' translation of Dante. 

Off the Bookshelf: A MIND OF HER OWN, by Paula McLain

An Audible Original.

Paula McLain brings an all-too-brief glimpse into the life and mind of Madame Curie during her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Thanks to the oppression of the Czar, the people of Poland are denied higher education. That, combined with the social attitude that women can't handle scientific studies, makes it an uphill climb for Marie. Somehow, she finds a way to go to Paris to pursue her studies, despite the odds. She's alone, studying hard to prove herself, living in a cold garret, so focused on her studies, and later on her work, that she has no social life and few friends.

Men are essentially the enemy, a distraction, a wall to her dreams of scientific discovery. But slowly, she triumphs through her brilliance and devotion to her studies. Then Pierre Curie, already making a name for himself in science and academia, is introduced to her. Matters of the heart become the enemy as well, an even bigger distraction.

I wish this performance by Hillary Huber, the narrator, had been much longer. There is so much more to learn from inside the mind and heart of this ground-breaking woman. Fascinating, so the time went by far too quickly when I listened.

Off the Bookshelf: 3-MINUTE J.R.R. TOLKEIN, by Gary Raymond

Cool concept book.

The subtitle is: "An unauthorized biography of the world's most revered fantasy writer."

How can you get the biography of a man who has had such an impact on fantasy writing and movie-making, in 3 minutes? Easy -- when the pieces are small, so each bite takes 3 minutes at a time to take in.

3 chapters: Life. Works. Influence.
Each chapter is broken down into small pieces that only take up a few paragraphs of text, accompanied by lots of photographs, maps, artwork, links to other sections in the book.

I recommend just paging through the book the first time through. Enjoy the pictures and the captions and references to other areas, other books, quotes from people. Then go through it again, studying the sections that catch your attention. Then sit down and read through leisurely, pulling it all together.

A lovely tribute to a great, influential man, and a small peek into his life and mind and the things that shaped him -- and shaped one of the most incredible worlds and works of fantasy of our time.