Review by Choice Review
Huttar and Schakel (Hope College) have, together or singly, written or edited more than half a dozen books on Christian literature, mainly on C.S. Lewis. Now they turn to one of Lewis's friends. Williams was a British poet (primarily known for his late Arthurian poems), writer of Gothic fiction, Christian dramatist, critic, and theologian. The 18 essays in this volume are divided into eight on the fiction, three on the poetry, three on the drama, and four on the nonfiction. The approach is stylistic: how Williams conveys his religious vision--he is an ornate stylist, unlike Lewis. Most of the critics respond to this charge, defending, with qualifications, Williams's artistry. Among the more interesting essays are those by Glen Cavaliero (author of Charles Williams: Poet of Theology, CH, Jun'83), on Williams's one short story; David Lewellyn Dodds (editor of Charles Williams in the "Arthurian Poets" series, 1991), on the changes in Williams's poetic style; and John D. Rateliff, on Williams's one prose play. None of the essays is weak, although several are very specialized. Highly recommended for upper-division and graduate collections on Christian, fantasy, Arthurian, and (broadly) modern British literature; of some general appeal for the fantasy fiction emphasis. J. R. Christopher Tarleton State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
