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The Fellowship
The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams | Philip Zaleski, Carol Zaleski
C. S. Lewis is the 20th century's most widely read Christian writer and J.R.R. Tolkien its most beloved mythmaker. For three decades, they and their closest associates formed a literary club known as the Inklings, which met every week in Lewis's Oxford rooms and in nearby pubs. They discussed literature, religion, and ideas; read aloud from works in progress; took philosophical rambles in woods and fields; gave one another companionship and criticism; and, in the process, rewrote the cultural history of modern times. In The Fellowship, Philip and Carol Zaleski offer the first complete rendering of the Inklings' lives and works. The result is an extraordinary account of the ideas, affections and vexations that drove the group's most significant members. C. S. Lewis accepts Jesus Christ while riding in the sidecar of his brother's motorcycle, maps the medieval and Renaissance mind, becomes a world-famous evangelist and moral satirist, and creates new forms of religiously attuned fiction while wrestling with personal crises. J.R.R. Tolkien transmutes an invented mythology into gripping story in The Lord of the Rings, while conducting groundbreaking Old English scholarship and elucidating, for family and friends, the Catholic teachings at the heart of his vision. Owen Barfield, a philosopher for whom language is the key to all mysteries, becomes Lewis's favorite sparring partner, and, for a time, Saul Bellow's chosen guru. And Charles Williams, poet, author of "supernatural shockers," and strange acolyte of romantic love, turns his everyday life into a mystical pageant. Romantics who scorned rebellion, fantasists who prized reality, wartime writers who believed in hope, Christians with cosmic reach, the Inklings sought to revitalize literature and faith in the twentieth century's darkest years-and did so in dazzling style.
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Andrea313
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Anyone else partaking in the #TolkienBirthdayToast? At 9 pm, I'll have the tagged book in one hand and a whisky in the other! #TheProfessor #BooksAndBooze

Daisey I‘ll be starting The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and enjoying a toast! 3mo
25 likes1 comment
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Andrea313
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Both #TomKitten and #ColeCat are doing their best to thwart my year-end reading. Really trying to knock out a few more titles over here, but cats are gonna be cats, eh? #CatsOfLitsy #BlackCats

dabbe 🖤🐾🐾🖤 3mo
Ruthiella 😻😻😻 3mo
Eyelit 😹😻😹 3mo
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IndoorDame 😹😹😻😻 3mo
ElizaMarie They are just the best! 3mo
32 likes6 comments
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Ang203l
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Good thing the library is closed or this one would have been renewed quite a few times!

Mistermandolin An incredible dynamic existed between them. They all benefitted and the Zakeskis capture this brilliantly. By the way, Carol Zaleski wrote an excellent book on Near-Death Experiences in which she showed a real sensitivity to the complexities of NDE narratives. I‘ve often wondered if her empathy with these texts arose from her interests in, in particular, Lewis. 4y
Ang203l @mistermandolin Yes, I was so intrigued to learn how they all went in and out of each other‘s lives. I will check out her book! 4y
3 likes2 comments
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rachelsbrittain
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1. Fellowship: the Literary Lives of the Inklings, Love in the Time of Cholera, and When the Moon Was Ours

2. Good Omens (just watched the first ep last night!)

3. Dark Phoenix

#weekendreads

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rachelsbrittain
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"The great thing is to always be reading but never to get bored--treat it not like work, more as a vice!" - C. S. Lewis

tammysue Great quote! 👍🏻 5y
EastWind76 Love that 5y
39 likes2 comments
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rachelsbrittain
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So long Oxford 😍

gradcat Oh my...it‘s so lovely! You must be sad to leave it...were you visiting or living there? 5y
rachelsbrittain Just a visit, but I love Oxford so much. Living there would be a dream (except for being so far from family 😅) 5y
teainthelibrary Beautiful 💖 5y
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rachelsbrittain
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Excuse me while I enjoy some reading on the train

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cottagelantern
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After hearing my lit professor talk about this book for months, I couldn‘t resist buying it at Blackwell‘s on my trip to Oxford!

catsandclothbounds Very cool!! I‘m slowly making my way through this book right now! 5y
3 likes1 comment
review
Daisey
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this literary biography! Granted, I was especially interested in the sections about Tolkien, but there is a wealth of information here.

#nonfiction #audiobook

JazzFeathers So you mean l should get it. That's what you mean, uh? 6y
Trollkonstnaren Sounds nice 😉 Is it more about general or detail oriented information? 6y
Daisey @Trollkonstnaren I would consider it fairly detailed, but I guess it depends a bit on what else you have read as to just how detailed it is about each Inkling. It describes the lives and literary work of four different people in approximately 650 pages or 26 hours of audio. 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers Well, yeah, I thought it was great so I definitely think you should add it to your to read list! You can never have too much information about Tolkien, right? 6y
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Daisey
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I‘m sure I‘ve read or heard before that Christopher Tolkien actively participated in Inklings‘ meetings, but I had forgotten about it. Sections like this that emphasize his role during his father‘s life are ones that make it clear to me how appropriate it is that he has continued to edit and share his father‘s work.

#nonfiction

CoveredInRust That is so neat to know! 6y
Daisey @CoveredInRust I thought so too, and I think it is an important aspect to consider when reading all of the commentary that Christopher wrote for the works published posthumously. 6y
JazzFeathers Christopher sometimes says that his father wrote The Lord of the Rings for him. Which might as well be true. I've heard that Tolkien would send him new pages at the war front, where his sons were both fighting. It gives a completely new depth to the story, if you think about it. A veteran sharing with young fighters, as well as a father sharing with his son in dired times. No wonder LotR is such a special story 6y
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Daisey
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This seems to be some pretty harsh self-criticism from Tolkien.

It‘s also interesting to me how he does not consider The Hobbit as truly part of his mythology at this point. In reading the different books myself, I have always been amazed by how they fit together even with their differences in style and taking place at different times in the history of the world he created.

#nonfiction #YearofTolkien

JazzFeathers Well, l've just discovered it myself, but did you know that originally The Hobbit wasn't part of Middle-Earth? The first time it was published, it was a standalone novel, which may explain why Tolkien was so riluttante to write a 'sequel'. Only after he wrote LotR, The Hobbit became part of the legendarium 6y
JazzFeathers In fact l was wondering about the lack of a section about The Hobbit in the History of Middle-Earth 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers Honestly, I don‘t think I had consciously realized this although I should have by now. I had been wondering the other day why it skipped over The Hobbit in the History of Middle-Earth, and this reasoning makes perfect sense. Yet that it does all work together still amazes me. It also makes me think the writing of The Hobbit is when his view of dwarves started to change, not at all before. Absolutely adding to my TBR 6y
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JazzFeathers @Daisey Yeah, l'd been thinking that too. His vision of the Dwarves had started to change in the last revision, but l think that actually using Dwarf characters and not casting them as villains, greatly influenced his willingness to give them a larger and more complex role in his legendarium. 6y
JazzFeathers My sister gifted me The History of the Hobbit last Christmas. Maybe we could read it when we'll be done with the History of Middle-Earth 😊 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @wordslinger42 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey @JazzFeathers Yes, I think it‘s definitely one we should add. The question is to the end or before the history of LOTR? 6y
JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Ah! I hadn't considered this option! True, we could insert it after we'll read The Fall of Gondolin. I don't know what to say. The History of the Hobbit isn't by Christopher Tolkien and l heard the treatment of the story is very different from Christopher's treatment of HoME. But l am very tempted. What say you gals? @Daisey @wordslinger42 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @wordslinger42 I would be willing to go either way, but I‘m leaning towards completing History of Middle-Earth then the Hobbit one, mainly because it is a different editor. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey Oh, I didn‘t even realize it was a different author. I wish Christopher Tolkien had put something together about the hobbit. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers @Daisey these stories of how he joined separate stories into a larger framework always make me think of Leaf by Niggle now 6y
wordslinger42 I think that book sounds really interesting, but if you go that route, I might have to sit the readalong out until you go back to the History of Middle Earth. Expense-wise, I'm not sure I can manage that on top of the price of Fall of Gondolin. Don't let that influence your choice, though. I don't want you guys to miss out on what sounds fun to you! 6y
Daisey @wordslinger42 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I know Sarah has a copy, but I picked up the Kindle edition for $1.99. I think that is still the price if it would help and/or you want to get it now. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005IH0334/ref=sxts_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534261863&sr... 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey One that‘s on kindle and I don‘t have to go searching for a paperback copy!!!👍 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @wordslinger42 I put my Fall of Gondoliln on hold at the library, I figured I‘d just play catch-up whenever it got to me. 6y
Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I know, and because it also looks like a giant book! Also, I have the same Leaf by Niggle thoughts. 6y
wordslinger42 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey I hadn't even thought of that! I don't go to the library very often, so it's easy for me to not think of it since I'm not in the habit. I might have to borrow my mom's Kindle & read it on there! Thanks to both of you 😊 6y
Bookwomble The first edition of The Hobbit was different to the version we have now. Tolkien rewrote parts of it to fit better with LoTR and the larger legendarium. Rateliff's History of The Hobbit is a fantastic piece of literary criticism, I can't recommend it highly enough 😊 6y
Daisey @Bookwomble Glad to hear the positive review and recommendation! I did not realize that The Hobbit had actually been revised after LotR. Thanks for the info! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers Just wanted to make sure you saw the previous comment. 6y
JazzFeathers Thanks @Daisey l discovered it recently. When l got my copy of History of the Hobbit. I understand Tolkien actually wrote two revisione of The Hobbit. One is the one we read today, at one day to LotR, and one was after that one, revised to be even more ateneo to the larger legendarium, but a lot darker that the original Hobbit. He never published that because he was told: it's good, but it isn't The Hobbit 6y
JazzFeathers I understand both revisions of the book are included in History of the Hobbit. But the first version (The Hobbit as first published) is now available also independently. For example here 6y
wordslinger42 I took advantage of the 1.99 deal on Kindle! Are we still thinking of reading this after The Fall of Gondolin? @JazzFeathers 6y
Daisey @wordslinger42 I'm still in favor of finishing the History of Middle-Earth books first since they are all edited by a Christopher Tolkien, but I will go with the group if we want to switch to this. I don't think we came to any consensus past The Fall of Gondolin. 6y
46 likes22 comments
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Daisey
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This book is again just adding to my desire to read more of Tolkien‘s work. I need to revisit Beowulf (possibly the abridged audio by Seamus Heaney soon) and at some point specifically read Tolkien‘s translation and commentary.

#nonfiction

JazzFeathers And your snippets make me want to read THIS book!!! 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers It‘s good! Granted I‘m enjoying the Tolkien sections more than the rest, but there‘s a lot of info. 6y
41 likes2 comments
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Daisey
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I got to the first chapter about Owen Barfield and struggled to keep my focus today. Then it was back to Tolkien and I downloaded the ebook to go along with the audio so I can highlight specific passages. This section discusses “The Cottage of Lost Play” found in the Book of Lost Tales and the difficulty of the language. Also, I was intrigued by the spelling I would have never noticed listening to the audio only.

#nonfiction #audiobook

JazzFeathers Mhm. I mean, l'm reading these stories in my second language. Yes, you need some getting used to, but how actually difficult can it be? 🤔 6y
Daisey @JazzFeathers I think it‘s manageable and more about adjustment, but I also think it is the most difficult of the Tolkien I‘ve read, at least as difficult as the Silmarillion which a lot of readers give up on. 6y
44 likes2 comments
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Daisey
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I started a new audiobook during my walk a couple days ago, and its subject should come as no surprise to anyone who pays much attention to my Litsy feed. Most of it so far has focused on Tolkien and Lewis, and I‘m finding it fascinating. It‘s especially interesting to listen to details about aspects of Tolkien‘s writing that I‘ve read myself for the first time in the last few months.

#audiobook #nonfiction

saresmoore I have this book in print. It‘s huge! I‘ve yet to read it, so I‘m glad to hear you‘re finding it interesting! 6y
Daisey @saresmoore I‘ve probably had the ebook in my library TBR since it first came out, but I could just never make myself start it (maybe because I‘ve seen that huge physical copy). Long nonfiction is so much easier for me to tackle on audio. 6y
JazzFeathers It sounds fascinating. Staked 😁 6y
Foragingfantasy My library has this on audiobook, I‘m gonna add it to my endless stack. 6y
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BookBabe
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#BookNBreakfast! #2030SomethingLongReadsBookClub edition! We're discussing "The Fellowship" today, and I‘m having a long-longed-for bagel with lox and cream cheese, and a coffee. Yum! ? Happy reads & happy eats! ??#NYC

(I can confirm that @MrBook ‘s sandwich is good too, he let me taste it?)

Hollie I love bagels and lox! 6y
Jakaranda that looks amazing!!! 6y
114 likes2 comments
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Eyejaybee
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Somasis
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Lots of nonfiction at this month's library book sale ❤

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Brie
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#Cheers to this pub visited by members of the literary group the Inklings including C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien to meet, read, and discuss their stories. If I could ever do a literary tourism trip, this would definitely be on my itinerary. I haven't read the tagged book, a biography about the Inklings, but it's on my #TBR. #junebookbugs

Seshat A good friend did a semester abroad (back in the 1990s) at Oxford and got to go there. :) 7y
Brie @Seshat That's so cool! 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk On my trip to England this was my literary pilgrimage! 7y
Brie Awesome, I love the idea of a literary pilgrimage. @TobeyTheScavengerMonk 7y
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saresmoore
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Well, @LauraBeth , I may have some insight for you, but first I have to finish crocheting this life-size cat bed.

I dunno what this does for my twit cred, @LeahBergen 🤔

LeahBergen Hahahaha! Well played! 😘 7y
LeahBergen And okay ... you're still a pretentious twit. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
saresmoore @LeahBergen Oh, good. Phew! 😅 7y
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LauraBrook What stitch is that? I didn't know you were a fellow Hooker! 😉This is a good reminder to check my project progress and make my Christmas list for next year. Everything takes longer than I think it should. 7y
saresmoore @LauraBrook Yes! A hooker for life! Hahaha! It's singles in a continuous round (amigurumi style) for the base to make it sturdy, then half doubles to make it tall. It looks like a fancier stitch because it's a really neat twisted yarn—that they discontinued. 😕 7y
LauraBrook That's so pretty! And yes, looks fancier than it is - bonus! Of course they discontinued the fun yarn. Have you had any luck finding more online? (I should check my Ravelry account too, I haven't been on there in ages.) 7y
saresmoore @LauraBrook I was able to find some more online about a year ago and most of this I scored from clearance at Michael's! Yay! I went through the time-intensive task of inputting my stash on Ravelry and really haven't updated it in a while. Ravelry is the best for patterns, though. Let me know if you ever do a crochet-along and I'll join you! 7y
Suet624 Beautiful! 7y
LauraBeth 😂😂😂 I just saw this! I need you to read that book and let me know if Will Schwalbe is wrong! I agree with @LeahBergen - just the fact that you own this book proves you're a pretentious twit 😂💕 7y
saresmoore @LauraBeth Ain't that the truth? I'll be sure to read all 500 pages of this (and probably enjoy it). Being in the company of these dudes might push me over the edge into indulgent eating and pipe smoking, though... 7y
Hobbinol 😆 and 😍❗️ 7y
kspenmoll 😃😂 7y
73 likes12 comments
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TheBookDream
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Tolkien. Remember that as we face this changing country.

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TheBookDream
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Trouble sleeping is much better when you have a book. Also, regular breaks to check out http://www.hewillnotdivide.us/ which is keeping me sane right now.

12 likes1 stack add
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TheBookDream
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Reading nook.

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Kkhalifeh
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Ooooooooooh. So excited to read this!

LeahBergen Now, wouldn't THAT be a great "book club" to join?! 7y
15 likes1 comment
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ReadingRailroader
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Another Litsy find came in the mail today!

Shortstack I'm so excited to read that one!! 😍😍😍 8y
25 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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BookishMarginalia
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Saw this last night @TheBookmarkPR -- looks interesting! I'm a sucker for bios of writers, and this is a bio/cultural history of a writing circle

BookishFeminist I've heard great things about this one! 8y
Shortstack OMG! I need this!!! 8y
Mayread Damn you! Tonight on the 7 o'clock news: woman killed by stack of books. Experts calling it a TBR tragedy. Cat survived. 8y
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UwannaPublishme 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 8y
BethFishReads Oooohhhh I have this somewhere in my house but haven't read it yet. Must dig it out 8y
Clairelinic Way into this! 8y
BookNotes I have this here somewhere. 🙂 8y
Laalaleighh 📚 8y
Louise Added this to my stack. What a powerful group of writers and thinkers! 8y
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