Ex Libris Kirkland

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First Written 1931
Genre Fiction
Origin UK
Publisher Pelligrini & Cudahy
My Copy 1st American ed, hardbound
First Read May 19, 2006

The Place of the Lion



Did I really re-read this as recently as 2012? That sort of blows my mind. This is one of the most accessible of Charles Williams' novels, but with the least captivating conceit. In it, the platonic ideals of the universe are breaking through into rural London: Strength arrives as a giant lion, Beauty as a phantasmagorical butterfly, Subtlety as a crowned serpent. Chaos and personal growth ensues.

Noted on August 13, 2014

If this also had to be done again, well, it had to be done, that was all. There seemed to be quite a lot that looked like having to be done over again. Everything perhaps except-she realized it as she crossed the room - except Anthony. But she had treated Anthony as she had these others. Well, it was a pity, but something was present there which touched even that iniquity with laughter and holy delight and sweet irony, so that - if Anthony would - they might smile at it together.

Quoted on July 24, 2016

She had treated Anthony as she had these others. [selfishly] Well, it was a pity, but something was present there which touched even that iniquity with laughter and holy delight and sweet irony, so that - if Anthony would - they might smile at it together.

Quoted on August 13, 2014

Anthony was always wanting to talk of themselves, which meant whether she loved him, and in what way, and how much, whereas Damaris, who disliked discussing other people's personal affairs, preferred to talk of scholarship or abstract principles such as whether and how soon The Two Camps would publish her essay on Platonic Tradition at the Court of Charlemagne.

Quoted on May 20, 2012

He was on these visits provoked by her ignorance of his intelligence; he was provoked even more deeply by her ignorance of his authority over himself. Walking slowly away, he had often asked himself whether--in that momentary opportunity of choice which recurrently presented itself to his mind--he ought not so to exercise it as to turn his preoccupation from her.

Quoted on May 20, 2012


Ex Libris Kirkland is a super-self-absorbed reading journal made by Matt Kirkland. Copyright © 2001 - .
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