I just finished re-reading through C.S. Lewis’ “Space Trilogy” and have a Holiday book recommendation for you: the third title in this series, That Hideous Strength.
Certainly all three are fantastic and important reads that incorporate thematic elements relating to theology, philosophy, history, politics, economics and astronomy. It’s “Science Fiction,” but only in the same way that the Bible is “just a bunch of God’s rules.” These three books are bigger than any one genre and the Sci-fi label should not deter a single one of you from digging in.
But the reason I choose to highlight That Hideous Strength here at the blog of an organization dedicated to the advancement of limited government and “the free and virtuous society” is because Lewis tackles these very things in its pages. The novel’s various sub-plots give it its depth and richness, but the “A-story” is that of one progressive organization’s – The National Institute of Coordinated Experiments (or N.I.C.E) – rise to power under the guise of “we simply want to help humanity move forward by centralizing power and allowing our philosopher-kings and experts to run things.” Sound familiar?
The deification of science. The religion of progress. The manipulation of the electorate via the press. The group-think of intellectuals at prestigious institutions of learning. The bizarre combination of insisting that you speak for the “common man” while at the same time despising him for his common and unsophisticated ways. The mockery of patriotism. The undermining of the Church and the family.
And at the heart of it all: mankind’s pride and defiant, fallen nature. The desire to supplant the Almighty and do what we can to avoid His holy gaze.
I’m telling you, That Hideous Strength is the most important novel you’ve never read. If you care about the things that The Acton Institute cares about, this is your book.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
