Wednesday, May 07, 2008
This Demands Analysis
So, just about everybody knows that the Harry Potter books are the best selling in history, but are they THE best? Well, according to a survey in England, discussed in the London Telegraph, the answer is a resounding, "NO!"
The most specific trend being that the books cited are books that have both adult, as well as childish appeal, books with VERY adult morality, and books that are exceptionally well-written. Note for example, at number 9 - "Alice in Wonderland" - a book that often defies even adult literary analysis.
But that the "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is number one in a nation generally more secular than our own, truly speaks volumes. You see that book is, essentially, the gospel narrative in fairy tale form. What I think this survey reveals is that the gospel narrative is the most compelling narrative in literature.
Which demands the question - "Why is evangelism so hard?"
Just a thought, but could it be because "the people of the narrative" in their lives rob the narrative of its truth and power?
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The Harry Potter series has been comprehensively beaten in a poll of the best children's books of all time by a host of traditional classics.In fact, according to the final list, my personally beloved Narnia tales, at least "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" is number 1! While I am fairly certain the specifics of the list might be different in a US survey, I am betting the trends would hold.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Winnie the Pooh and the Famous Five all finished above the only Harry Potter book to make the top 50.
The most specific trend being that the books cited are books that have both adult, as well as childish appeal, books with VERY adult morality, and books that are exceptionally well-written. Note for example, at number 9 - "Alice in Wonderland" - a book that often defies even adult literary analysis.
But that the "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is number one in a nation generally more secular than our own, truly speaks volumes. You see that book is, essentially, the gospel narrative in fairy tale form. What I think this survey reveals is that the gospel narrative is the most compelling narrative in literature.
Which demands the question - "Why is evangelism so hard?"
Just a thought, but could it be because "the people of the narrative" in their lives rob the narrative of its truth and power?
Technorati Tags:children's literature, the lion the witch and the wardrobe, survery, gospel
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