First, people will think they don’t need to read the books because they saw the movie. I first read LWW when I was perhaps 8. I read the rest of the series a couple years later. I return to it on a regular basis – it’s one of my few re-reads among “fiction.” I love the books dearly, largely because of Lewis’ “voice” in them – the narration, the descriptions, the little side-comments. None of this can be done in a movie. I also am concerned that people who see the movie before they read the books (or even after) will not have their own visions of the characters – they will only see what the director decided he wanted people to see.

I also cringe at the thought of a marketing onslaught. I really don’t want to see “Turkish Delight” (which exists as a real candy, though not as a particular brand; in the U.S., “aplets and cotlets” are much similar) suddenly be produced by Hershey’s or someone and sold everywhere (like the Harry Potter jellybeans were; you could even buy them in bookstores). I really, really do not want to see “stuffies” of Aslan even though as I child, I was deeply fond of stuffed toy animals. (Somehow, it just seems wrong. Disrespectful.). But knowing the way the marketing monster goes, I’m gearing myself up to see “Narnia chic” clothing, and toys of the main characters, and other kinds of tie-ins.

I don’t know. For me, many of those things sort of suck the enjoyment out of a book for me. I don’t know whether I’ll go see the Narnia movie or not – part of me wants to because I’d love to see how someone else envisioned the White Witch (the illustrations in the books notwithstanding I have very particular mental pictures of the different characters) but part of me also fears what the movie may change.

Your comments on the Passion of the Christ reminded me of last Easter, when my pastor (who had never seen the movie) decided to show it on Good Friday. He invited everyone to come; we’d have snacks and popcorn and soda, and the kids would meanwhile watch a Veggietales movie or something. My first thought was, “This is NOT a popcorn movie.” And indeed, after the movie was over, no one had touched the popcorn, and very few could express anything other than shock and horror—and gratefulness to Jesus, of course, but mostly shock and horror.

As excited as I am about this film, and I am very excited, I am afraid you are right to be worried. I have started reading LWW to my kids who haven’t read them yet (except the 2 yo). When you say-

“Despite the evangelical fascination with film, especially in the emergent church, an evangelicalism that trades books for movies will be diminished.”

You are spot-on.

Scott

I love writing, and have started writing short stories and whatnot. I don’t want to beat people over the head with Christianity, nor am I writing specifically for Christians. The idea, in my mind, is to write compelling stories that touch upon Christian values and ideals as major themes. So rather than doing an allegory about the crucifixion and resurrection or a story about demonic posession I have been writing about people alienated by materialism, people seeking redemption and unable to find it in their narcissism or instant gratification, people debased by a vile culture and people finding hope and joy in self-sacrifice. Sounds dark, I know, but I’m just getting some ideas out there.

My question and concern is this: if a story is based on these ideals, intended to open the readers up to the foundations of Christ’s message and to open their eyes to the truth of the human condition is it okay if the story is a bit “raunchy”? I mean, how can one discuss the emptiness of casual sex without at least some depiction of casual sex? How can one show the depravity and vulgarity of a lost people without showing depraved things and saying things that are vulgar? The Bible has scenes of great evil and perdition throughout, is it okay to do it in popular writing?

I just want to make sure that my writing isn’t unchristian despite my attempts to use it as an expression of my faith.

Well…these days it means published by Christian publishers.

Think Flannery O’Conner would have gotten published in Nashville today? HA!

A remarkable number of great writers were/are Christians and their work has nothing to do with this label. They do good work. It’s great writing. Period.

Christian as an adjective is a lot of trouble. Lose it and write what you want. Just don’t bother to send it to a publisher that WILL tell you we fcan’t print those words because they might offend someone.

(I remember when Lifeway refused to stock an album by delirious because it had the line …”She’s as pretty as hell.” Good grief.)

Yet, I think you’re also correct in thinking that the movies merely being out there will get people to read the books, if the movies hadn’t been out, I wouldn’t have ever thought of reading the books.

I don’t want the stories I love to be commercialised and sold until the public no longer associates the movie with the literature.

I think the best approach for a lot of series like Harry Potter (I think those movies are simply awful, though…), Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Dune, etc. would be best portrayed in miniseries (similar to what they did with Pride and Prejudice). then you could experience the dialogues, the subtle wording, show the complexity of the plots, and all that good stuff

Something that has been on my mind as I’ve started making this a daily blogstop is how much it seems that the corporate structure of modern (or perhaps postmodern) Christianity is doing a lot of harm. The Joel Osteenization and watered down CCMization of the Church is truly frightening. But it need not be this way. As a one time punk rocker/indie rock nerd who almost started his own record label in High School (debate and work got in the way), I think that Christians need to take a page from the indie playbook.

If the only Christian music we hear is mealy-mouthed pablum, why not start a new label that will put out music that is challenging, interesting and contemporary? Not just the choice between ludicrous Christian punk rock or frilly easy listening from the usual CCM suspects, but rather something worth listening to. When the Christian publishers just want to put out books about how Jesus will make you happy, healthy, wealthy and cool (when Christ himself often saw a deficit of these very attributes), why not start an indie publishing company that will put out truly brilliant Christian literature? Its not as if these things haven’t been done before–some of the best popular music of the last 25 years (The Replacements, Pavement, Husker Du, I could go on) came out of indie labels. And publishing is on the brink of a self-published/independently published revolution.

We need Indie Rock Christians. The DIY types that use passion, hard work and a little bit of vision and talent to promote a message that has been rejected by the powers that be. I really think that this could be an earth-shaking idea, one that returns the Church to its roots.

Any takers?

I plan on seeing it, but if the movies discourage people from reading the books, it will be a great loss.

“Faith Leaders to Get Sneak Peek at Film”
http://www.narniaweb.com/news.asp?id=420&dl=4487700

my only question is why didn’t the same
Evangelical knuckleheads (Leaders)
who sent the minions to “The Passion”
not do the same for the “Luther” film? *cough*

also hoping for the best!

ps – can you change the Aslan pic to Jack with a smoke
and a beer?…cheers