The Place of the Lion by Charles Williams

How does a man who writes about things which appear pretty crazy from nearly any perspective make them so rational, so fair? Charles Williams has Plato's ideas crash into our world and it's a rather ordinary thing. A few days later I was taking a shower and suddenly thought of the Idea of the Lion and Plato's Butterfly and houses in otherworldly flames - well, I started laughing at myself and the book, but not out of condescension. Goodness became more solidly true than usual. After finishing this one I slept not just better, but more happily (merrily, even?) then in months.

Lewis when he first read it in February 1936, and helped start the friendship between Lewis and Williams.As an author, Charles Williams writes stiffly, his stories are strange enough to be nearly inaccessible, and his characters who find clarity start speaking in a way which makes The Fairie Queene look folksy. Their interactions in the world cause havoc, but also produce engaging insights into the hearts of the humans they encounter. The Place of the Lion: One of Williams’s seven novels described as “supernatural thrillers.” In this story archetypes are embodied as gigantic animals roaming the earth, such as the Lion of Strength and the Butterfly of Beauty.The Image of the City and Other Essays: A selection of essays by Williams which is helpful in viewing the diversity of his work, and provides great insight into his thought and various recurring themes in his works.The Figure of Beatrice: A study of the figure of Beatrice in the works of Dante Alighieri.Williams also develops his themes on The Doctrine of Substitutionary Love in the novel. Descent into Hell: One of Williams’s seven novels described as “supernatural thrillers.” The action takes place in Battle Hill near London where a new play is being staged and the hill itself appears to be a mysterious doorway between this world and the afterlife.The Descent of the Dove: A non-fiction work outlining the history of the Holy Spirit in the Church.Select Bibliography of the Works of Charles Williams Reading Williams: Where to BeginĪ selection of titles by Charles Williams for readers looking for a place to start:

The Place of the Lion by Charles Williams