The Great Divorce

C.S. Lewis has a brilliant ability to reflectively handle heavy and dense topics with a gentle and guiding hand, and that’s exactly what this read felt like. Written with a reflection towards Heaven and Hell, and the daunting and terrifying choice we have between the two, this little read certainly handles some heavy themes. When every soul existing outside of Salvation after death can journey to Heaven and stay there should they choose— what is it that makes them turn away?

Lewis’s narrative voice throughout this work was fantastic— soft, observant, and tender, he does a great job at raising responses to dense questions and doubts that have pulled many away from the Christian faith (and other religions as well, for that matter) for centuries. 

Yet despite it’s heavy themes, this read doesn’t hold a dreadful weight to it. As readers, we’re carried along with one soul as they observe various other ghosts travelling to see Heaven, observing various ways their souls have held onto that which separates them from God. This narration style works exceptionally well in establishing Lewis’s moral messages throughout the story, as we see various ghosts eventually rejecting Heaven for the sake of something else— fame, lust, pride, grief, greed, intellect. 

“There have been men before … who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God himself… as if the good Lord had nothing to do but to exist. There have been some who were so preoccupied with spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought to Christ.”

Moreover, while this was a short read, and each chapter only showcased glimpses of various ghosts and stories from their time on Earth, each character feels intentional, well-thought out, and— importantly— human. While at some points characters do appear to ‘double down’ in their stances quite strongly, this carries a clear purpose in each section to illustrate an intended message for the readers. Even in instances and circumstances where a reader might see a clear right and wrong, each character’s eventual conclusion is clear and it’s understandable how they’ve reached the conclusion they have (even if one doesn’t always necessarily think it is the right one). 

Overall, this read left me with lots to reflect on after each chapter. I loved the premise of this story, and felt the descriptions, writing, and overall messaging throughout the book were all handled fantastically. I would certainly recommend it to individuals interested in speculative fiction or reflective works regarding the afterlife. 

Overall Rating: 5/5

Would I Recommend? Yes