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His dark materials (Chronicles of Narnia)
The Guardian ^ | 12/3/05

Posted on 12/06/2005 7:36:27 AM PST by Valin

The latest children's favourite to be given the Hollywood treatment, CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia has been dismissed as sexist, racist, Christian propaganda. Alison Lurie on the fairytale that has divided children and adults alike

Most enormously successful children's books, like Harry Potter, become successful films within a few years of their publication. But there is one odd exception: CS Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has taken 55 years to reach the screen. Or maybe it is not so odd. On first reading, this story and the six other Chronicles of Narnia that followed it seem simple, entertaining and non-controversial; but they have turned some readers into passionate fans, and made others very angry. Children, too, seem to either love the books or strongly dislike them.

(Excerpt) Read more at books.guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: alguardian; alisonlurie; cslewis; moviereview; narnia; philippullman; pullman
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1 posted on 12/06/2005 7:36:27 AM PST by Valin
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To: Valin
His dark materials

C.S. Lewis' "dark materials"??
I'd say that was in "A Grief Observed" and "The Great Divorce".
(apologies if I've bungled those titles...long time since I've read them.)
2 posted on 12/06/2005 7:39:22 AM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
Anyone mention the Screwtape letters?
3 posted on 12/06/2005 7:41:36 AM PST by GoforBroke
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To: Valin

Let's not forget "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.

Fabulous read!!


4 posted on 12/06/2005 7:41:57 AM PST by MarineMomJ (You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.)
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To: Valin

This is a putrid article

And I personally can't wait to see the movie(s)! Loved these books as a kid!


5 posted on 12/06/2005 7:43:25 AM PST by mozrock (They're not people, they're hippies!)
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To: MarineMomJ

I know. I'm hoping all the talk and publicity about the CON movie will generate new interest in his other works, including Screwtape. I want to re-read it.


6 posted on 12/06/2005 7:43:33 AM PST by Paved Paradise
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To: Valin
"Lewis has also been charged with racism as a result of his portrait of the Calormenes in The Horse and His Boy. Calormene, a desert country far to the south of Narnia, strongly suggests the Near East: its people are dark-skinned, wear turbans and carry scimitars. Their diet is heavy on oil, rice, onions and garlic. They are cruel to animals and worship a four-armed god with a vulture's head called Tash who demands human sacrifice. Like Tash, the rulers of Calormene are autocratic, corrupt, treacherous and brutal. Slavery is common, and women cannot read or write or choose whom they will marry."

Anyone watch the news lately?
7 posted on 12/06/2005 7:44:50 AM PST by j_k_l
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To: Valin

I thought the first book was pretty good but declined from there. And Lewis' "Space Trilogy", Perelandra, I could never get into despite the great title of the third Book, "That Hideous Strength."


8 posted on 12/06/2005 7:47:46 AM PST by Chi-townChief
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To: j_k_l

Yeah I watch the news. Noone worships a four-armed god with a vulture's head called Tash that I know of. If only he had said a moon god.


9 posted on 12/06/2005 7:49:41 AM PST by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I looked in my rearview mirror.)
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To: Valin
Other critics, with whom I have considerable sympathy, have seen the Chronicles of Narnia as anti-feminist. Pullman, for instance, has called the books "monumentally disparaging of girls and women". In Narnia, girls almost always come second to boys. They have fewer adventures, and none, like Shasta (The Horse and His Boy) or Caspian (Prince Caspian) has a book named after her. There is no such thing as a good and strong supernatural female figure in Narnia: the principal representation of virtuous supernatural power is male, while the principal representation of evil power is the White Witch.

Obviously hasn't read the books. The Star's Daughter is a good and strong supernatural female. Also, how about Aravis Tarkheena for "having adventures"? Or Polly? Or Jill in The Last Battle?

Just another reviewer blowing smoke about books without having read them.

10 posted on 12/06/2005 7:50:15 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: BipolarBob

Why do you think there are crescents all over the place in Calormene? IIRC, the Tisroc's turban ("may he live forever . . . not!") has a crescent smack dab in the middle of it.


11 posted on 12/06/2005 7:51:33 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: Valin

When I saw the preview, I got wood.

God forbid (pardon the pun) a filmmaker were to espouse his Christian views in a film. Put some rags on their heads and change Aslan to Allahslan and you would hear no complaints.


12 posted on 12/06/2005 7:51:40 AM PST by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: j_k_l

this is a complaint against the book?

sounds to me like he hit the nail right on the head.


13 posted on 12/06/2005 7:51:51 AM PST by kpp_kpp
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To: VOA; All
Yep!

....from another thread....

Posted by maestro to F15Eagle

On News/Activism ^ 12/04/2005 3:59:19 PM PST · 11 of 39 ^

...Lewis'.....'Narnia'....is the GNOSTIC 'good-evil' kingdoms (light/darkness) nonsense,...with 'OBL-as the Lion'....

This anti-real-Jesus-LAMB.....gnostic nonsense to deceive millions....

It is NOT christian,....but it is REALLY.....Pro-Islamic!

Jesus is coming to RAPTURE the Church,.....NOT the kingdom!!!!

Romans 10:17

14 posted on 12/06/2005 7:52:21 AM PST by maestro
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To: Valin

The latest children's favourite to be given the Hollywood treatment, CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia has been dismissed as sexist, racist, Christian propaganda.

GOOD! if msm doesn't like, i'm sure i'll love it!


15 posted on 12/06/2005 7:52:55 AM PST by absolootezer0 ("My God, why have you forsaken us.. no wait, its the liberals that have forsaken you... my bad")
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To: Valin
English She-Twit With A Pen Alert
16 posted on 12/06/2005 7:53:13 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (Base. All Yours = Mine.)
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To: maestro

Are those your silly comments, or someone else's?


17 posted on 12/06/2005 7:56:42 AM PST by wideawake
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: Valin
Recently, the immensely gifted and equally popular British writer Philip Pullman, author of the trilogy His Dark Materials who has described himself as both an agnostic and an atheist, has condemned the Narnia books as religious propaganda.

This appears later in the article.

Note: Pullman can in no way be said to be as gifted as CS Lewis. Nor can he be said to be "equally popular" in comparison to an author that has been selling books for the last 50 years.

19 posted on 12/06/2005 7:58:18 AM PST by ikka
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To: Valin
"Sexist, racist Christian propaganda"?

That review makes this a "must see" movie in my book.

20 posted on 12/06/2005 7:58:46 AM PST by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: Valin
The latest children's favourite to be given the Hollywood treatment, CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia has been dismissed as sexist, racist, Christian propaganda.

Sounds like a must-see movie to me.

21 posted on 12/06/2005 7:59:58 AM PST by Always Right
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To: domenad
Put some rags on their heads and change Aslan to Allahslan and you would hear no complaints.

that's why i can't wait for book 7- that's what happens. and those who have read the books know the outcome- and the huge controversy it will probably cause. book 7 can be taken as almost prophetic as to what may happen in the very near years to come.
22 posted on 12/06/2005 8:00:01 AM PST by absolootezer0 ("My God, why have you forsaken us.. no wait, its the liberals that have forsaken you... my bad")
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To: VOA

I see nothing dark about them. I heard Lewis' step son, Douglas Greshem, on the Michael Medved show yesterday. What a privilege it was to hear his voice! He said that a major reason they brought Narnia to screen now was that the technology was finally available to make it properly. This man has the same sense of humor that you hear emanating from Lewis' works. He must have gotten it from his mom, who I've read had a very sharp intellect. He wasn't the least bit surprised or dismayed about the naysayers. He was really funny in commenting on them.


23 posted on 12/06/2005 8:00:30 AM PST by twigs
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To: zerosix

Darn, you beat me by a minute.


24 posted on 12/06/2005 8:00:38 AM PST by Always Right
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To: Valin
I just finished rereading "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" just yesterday. All these people against it are on crak with all of the BS they are spouting. They are trying to demonize a Christian allegory because they hate God.

If they don't like it, then they should put forth valid criticism, not bogus PC garbage talking points of the left.
25 posted on 12/06/2005 8:02:26 AM PST by frogjerk (LIBERALISM - Being miserable for no good reason)
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To: twigs
I see nothing dark about them. I heard Lewis' step son, Douglas Greshem, on the Michael Medved show yesterday. What a privilege it was to hear his voice!

I was out in LA this weekend and saw him at the Crystal Cathedral this week. He will be on the Hour of Power this weekend.

26 posted on 12/06/2005 8:03:20 AM PST by Always Right
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To: mozrock

Loved these books as a kid!


I still do. 57


27 posted on 12/06/2005 8:04:14 AM PST by Valin (Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege)
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To: Chi-townChief

"That Hideous Strength."

Do yourself a BIG FAVOR read it. It's as relevent today as it was when written.


28 posted on 12/06/2005 8:06:26 AM PST by Valin (Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege)
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To: Valin
I still do.

I really need to pick up the series again. I haven't read them in 20+ years probably!

29 posted on 12/06/2005 8:12:18 AM PST by mozrock (They're not people, they're hippies!)
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To: Valin
Others here have pointed out that "His Dark Materials" is likely to be a reference to Philip Pullman's "Golden Compass" trilogy.

But that begs the question of where Pullman got the phrase. The answer is Milton's "Paradise Lost". The "his" refers to Satan who is seen by some (including, I believe Pullman) as the hero of "Paradise Lost".

30 posted on 12/06/2005 8:13:49 AM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: absolootezer0

Do you think they will do all of the books? That's going to be an awfully long series (I read them so long ago though I hardly remember them). I guess if Narnia rakes it in though, it's a given.

"Welcome to Narnia! I'm Mr. Tumnus!"

"Hey! Give me back my sock you goat bastard!"


31 posted on 12/06/2005 8:14:53 AM PST by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: maestro

What a ridiculous angle to take. Chronicles does not pretend to be an alternative path. It is a ~story~ that uses Christian ~metaphor~ to explore a theme.

Yeesh.


32 posted on 12/06/2005 8:16:13 AM PST by Ramius (Buy blades for war fighters: freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net --> 1000 knives and counting!)
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To: Valin

The Narnia Chronicles are all based on Medieval literature. You have to know the Medieval texts to understand. The author doesn't know that medieval Arabian stories (Like Shaharazad) had demons in them too, of which Tash is an example.

Even the stone table is as much rooted in norse mythology as in the Cross of Christ.

Liberals are just too stupid to deal with.


33 posted on 12/06/2005 8:20:06 AM PST by Rippin
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To: Ramius; maestro
Lewis'.....'Narnia'....is the GNOSTIC 'good-evil' kingdoms (light/darkness) nonsense,...with 'OBL-as the Lion'....

This anti-real-Jesus-LAMB.....gnostic nonsense to deceive million....

It is NOT christian,....but it is REALLY.....Pro-Islamic!

Jesus is coming to RAPTURE the Church,.....NOT the kingdom!!!!

Romans 10:17

This kind of word salad can only come from the poster previously known as f.Christian. May I call you "f"?

34 posted on 12/06/2005 8:21:16 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: Ramius

The Guardian judges C.S. Lewis' ability:
"It has been suggested that some of these problems arose because Lewis himself did not think things through carefully; that he did not take his writing for children as seriously as his famous works for adults"

Oh sure, Lewis didn't think things through...what arrogance. They would write something this stupid about a brilliant writer because it is Christian. That gives them a pass.


35 posted on 12/06/2005 8:22:20 AM PST by maranatha
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To: maestro

36 posted on 12/06/2005 8:24:06 AM PST by ecurbh ()()A Festivus for the rest of us!()()
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To: All
Image hosted by TinyPic.com
37 posted on 12/06/2005 8:24:23 AM PST by Old Seadog (Inside every old person is a young person saying "WTF happened?".)
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To: HairOfTheDog

Hah! I was thinking the same thing! :-)

It's just gotta be.


38 posted on 12/06/2005 8:24:55 AM PST by Ramius (Buy blades for war fighters: freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net --> 1000 knives and counting!)
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To: Ramius

It's an old ID... but I'd put money on it :~D


39 posted on 12/06/2005 8:27:29 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: Chi-townChief

warning incoming; Lewis is overrated highly on FR.


40 posted on 12/06/2005 8:28:35 AM PST by Oztrich Boy ( the Wedge Document ... offers a message of hope for Muslims - Mustafa Akyol)
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To: domenad

if it goes as well as expected, its supposed to do the same thing LotR did. new movie every Christmas. someone mentioned on another thread that script for prince caspian is already done.
but its only gonna end up as 7 movies, and the books themselves were much shorter than either LotR or harry potter.


41 posted on 12/06/2005 8:30:28 AM PST by absolootezer0 ("My God, why have you forsaken us.. no wait, its the liberals that have forsaken you... my bad")
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To: Ramius; All
...Lewis'.....'Narnia'....is the GNOSTIC 'good-evil' kingdoms (light/darkness) nonsense,...with 'OBL-as the Lion'....

This anti-real-Jesus-LAMB.....gnostic nonsense to deceive millions....

It is NOT christian,....but it is REALLY.....Pro-Islamic!

Jesus is coming to RAPTURE the Church,.....NOT the kingdom!!!!

...........Revelation 6:16........the LAMB.......Revelation 6:16.....the LAMB......Revelation 6:16.....

Biblical contextual TRUTH!

'Narnia' is anti-CHRISTIAN-TRINITY....and is poly-religious-myth-theological-'PLURALISM'.....tash read TRASH!

St. John 1:29.....St.John 3:36......wrath?......Revelation 6:16.....WRATH of The LAMB-God!

Romans 10:17......St. John 3:16.......Sent.....Romans 5:1.....LAMB-PEACE or LAMB-WRATH!

Romans 10:17

/OFF all GNOSTIC false kingdoms

42 posted on 12/06/2005 8:43:18 AM PST by maestro
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To: ecurbh

~Inspired~ graphic ;~D


43 posted on 12/06/2005 8:43:42 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: maestro; Ramius; ecurbh

Definately :~D


44 posted on 12/06/2005 8:44:34 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: Rippin
Liberals are just too stupid to deal with.

A certain level of education is required to perform effectively as a critic. Virtually no one on the Left has it these days - but the pretenders love the act of critiqueing so much they leap in with both feet, heedless of what fools they are making of themselves.

45 posted on 12/06/2005 8:48:39 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ("When government does too much, nobody else does much of anything." -- Mark Steyn)
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To: HairOfTheDog

No doubt|fear/loathing about it. :-)


46 posted on 12/06/2005 8:48:51 AM PST by Ramius (Buy blades for war fighters: freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net --> 1000 knives and counting!)
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To: Allan
LOL! I can only imagine what "The Guardian" would say about poor Orual and Psyche.

Lewis treated the feminine very tenderly, I think.

47 posted on 12/06/2005 8:54:21 AM PST by ARridgerunner
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To: twigs
Lewis's stepson "said that a major reason they brought Narnia to screen now was that the technology was finally available to make it properly."

Yeah. And pull this leg and it plays jingle bells. Little Douggie just needed to line his pockets with moolah and make more money off his stepdad. Good for him for selling out to the Mouse. Of course, his Stepdad, who wrote the books, said he would never let Disney make movies of his books...

http://nthposition.com/blasphemyinnarnia.php

Lewis called the idea of the Mouse making his movies a "blasphemy." I guess millions in cold hard cash can make heirs feel differently.

48 posted on 12/06/2005 8:56:29 AM PST by Vladiator
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To: Valin

This film will get the same treatment from the liberal critics as did The Passion of the Christ. And with the same result at the box office.

We had a Showtime free weekend in my area this past weekend so I watched some of the films I would never pay money to see. The garbage that is being put out by the film industry defies description. And the liberal critics love it.


49 posted on 12/06/2005 8:56:31 AM PST by scory
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To: Oztrich Boy
warning incoming; Lewis is overrated highly on FR.

And you say this, why? Can you give a specific criticism?

50 posted on 12/06/2005 8:57:01 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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