Bücher von Charles Williams

Those who have read Williams's earlier novels will not want to be told anything about Descent into Hell except that it is one of his best. Those who do not know the author's work will find that when they have read this novel, they will want to read all the others.

"There is nothing else that is like them or that could take their place." - T. S. Eliot"I have just read your "Place of the Lion" and it is to me one of the major literary events of my life ... There are layers and layers-first the pleasure that any good fantasy gives me: then, what is rarely (tho' not so very rarely) combined with this, the pleasure of a real philosophical and theological stimulus: thirdly, characters: fourthly, what I neither expected nor desired, substantial edification." - C. S. Lewis "I want to make clear that these novels of Williams ... are, first of all, very good reading.To him [Williams] the supernatural was perfectly natural, and the natural was also supernatural. And this peculiarity gave him that profound insight into Good and Evil, into the heights of Heaven and the depths of Hell, which provides both the immediate thrill, and the permanent message of novels. Williams is telling us about a world of experience known to him ... he communicates this experience that he has had.The Novels of Charles Williams is a collection of seven gripping novels. These "supernatural thrillers" are all set in the modern world but present human life as being controlled by unseen powers that operate at another level. In this respect, they are very similar to the Harry Potter series. The reader is shown that the supernatural is, in fact, perfectly natural, and exerts an influence on every aspect of our daily existence. On one level, these novels are gripping stories, but at another, they are a unique blend of fantasy, theology, morality and the supernatural which has not been surpassed, and which leave a deep impression on the reader.Charles Williams was physically frail and for financial reasons never attended university; however, he had a vivid imagination and an inquiring mind. He was always interested in books, and after school he started life packing books but rose to be a proof-reader and then an editor at Oxford University Press; he was appointed a lecturer at Oxford University, and was even awarded an honorary M.A. by the university. As an author he was very versatile, writing novels, plays, poetry, popular theology, and academic works on literature. He was one of the "Inklings", a group that included C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. One can see his influence on Lewis and Tolkien. Williams is most remembered for his novels.This edition contains the five novels War in Heaven, Many Dimensions, The Place of the Lion, Shadows of Ecstasy, and Descent into Hell, and also the short story, Et in Sempiternum Pereant, which features the protagonist of Many Dimensions.

Williams wanted his Arthurian poem to be a universal epic: not just a tale of early-Medieval heroics, but a poem that would use its narrative to portray the human condition, and the world, with the kind of completeness found in Milton's Paradise Lost or Dante's Divine Comedy. Charles Williams is perhaps the least well known of the Inklings, the writers' group based in Oxford which included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. In making this collection of Williams's major Arthurian poetry we have sought to make available again, after several years out of print, all his previously published verse on the abiding subject that dominated his work and life from the early 1900s to his death in 1945. The earliest work, published here for the first time since its original appearance in 1913, is the 'Pageant Song of Gwent', which shows Williams thinking about the Arthurian legends even this early. This, along with poems from Heroes and Kings (1930) and Three Plays (1931), comprises all of Williams's early published work on the subject, and is followed by his mature work, contained in the two major sequences Taliessin Through Logres (1938) and The Region of the Summer Stars (1944), which form the centre of this collection.The volume includes an introduction by Grevel Lindop (biographer of Charles Williams) and an essay on Williams's work by Arthurian scholar, John Matthews.

¿The Death of Good Fortune - A Christmas Play¿ is an example of Williams¿ religious dramatic verse exploring themes of Christian symbolism. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the ¿Inklings¿ literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

¿The House by the Stable - A Christmas Play¿ is an example of Williams¿ religious dramatic verse exploring themes of Christian symbolism. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the ¿Inklings¿ literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

This classic verse was written by Charles Williams (1886-1945), a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. His works mythically explore the theological themes of spirituality and Christian symbolism. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

This play was written by Charles Williams (1886-1945), a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. His works mythically explore the theological themes of spirituality and Christian symbolism. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Witchcraft' (1941) is a work of theological commentary by Charles Williams on the history of what he refers to as "that perverted way of the soul which we call magic". Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Three Plays' was written by Charles Williams (1886-1945), a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. His works mythically explore the theological themes of spirituality and Christian symbolism. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Rochester' is a biography of The Earl of Rochester (1647-1680), written by Charles Williams in 1935. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

In this text, published in 1942, Williams contemplates the concept of Christian forgiveness. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. He acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. He dedicated this book to 'The Inklings', a literary group at Oxford of which he was a member, alongside C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'The House of the Octopus' (1945) is a fantastical religious play written by Charles Williams that explores themes of Christian faith, spirituality, apostasy, and salvation. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Poetry at Present' (1930), written by Charles Williams, a reader of significant works of contemporary poetry. Williams' described the essays in his book as 'utilitarian', and he intended them to be used as a non-critical aid to poetry reading and interpretation. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Grab and Grace' was written as a sequel to 'The House by the Stable - A Christmas Play', and explores themes of pride, hell, grace and faith. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'The Figure of Beatrice' is an analytical discussion of the character by the same name who features heavily in the writings of Dante. Originally published in 1943, Williams' essay is a thought-provoking interpretation of Dante and both the human and divine aspects associated with love. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. Williams acknowledged the spiritual undercurrents present in life and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

Published in 1934, Williams' biographical novel chronicles the life of James Stuart (James I) and the span of his reign in Scotland and England. True to form, Williams' writing focuses on the life and personality of the enigmatic monarch. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

William's play, published in 1936, depicts the life of Thomas Cranmer, a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of three successive monarchs. The fantastical element of the story lies in Cranmer's interactions with the character known as The Skeleton, whose purpose and role is uncertain. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

Charles Williams' 'Arthurian Torso' (1948) is a modern poetic exploration of the mythical King Arthur legends and features contributions by the British writer, C. S. Lewis. Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, alongside C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Seed of Adam and Other Plays' (1948) is a collection of existential verse by Charles Williams exploring death, fear and themes of Christian symbolism. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

'Seed of Adam' is a play by Charles Williams based around the Nativity story. It forms part of a collection of existential verse exploring death, fear and themes of Christian symbolism. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.

Written in 1928, Williams' dramatic verse encapsulates the imagined circumstances of Shakespeare's experiences whilst writing his plays, and includes extracts of his plays within the scenes. Presented in two parts, Williams portrays the myth of Shakespeare, the man: at the Court, amongst friends, and as a working dramatist. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.