The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Four Loves
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
As with every other volume in this series, THE FOUR LOVES, proves to be yet another major success. It is philosophy, it is theology, it is profound, intelligent, and inspiring. C.S. Lewis discusses the four loves - that is, Affection, Friendship, Eros, and Charity - in the most brilliant manner. Philosophy like this will attract the attention and interest of anyone, regardless of their prior opinion on philosophy. For once, I felt like it actually mattered; whereas most other philosophy works I have read seemed quite far away from the business of "living a good life", which was philosophy's first goal. This is practical, useful, and usable.
Recommended.
Book Review: Challenging but worth it
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S. Lewis once again lives up to his reputation as a brilliant Christian thinker. I wasn't very excited about this book when I started, but found it fascinating and changed the way I see love. It's interesting how he sees our foibles and gets to heart of human motives. Read this and allow yourself to be challenged. If you're not the thoughtful type, given to self examination, this may not be the book for you.Book Review: Delightfully Illuminating and Pleasantly Poignant
Summary: 4 Stars
The inherent bias in my review is that I rate Lewis in context with his other writings. He represents the ultimate pop-theologian who speaks with cutting erudition. Lewis possessed an uncanny power to speak to all Christian denominations through his powerful prose style and unpretentious approach to the ideas of God and the Christian religion. His works make it hard to believe that he was not a trained theologian. With all that said, I dare say he has not written a book that was not great. Perspective with Mere Christianity (among others) dictates that this book receive 4 stars (A "4-star" rating for him supersedes "5-star" for many others.). Let me not be misunderstood, his ideas are powerful and his approach is classic Lewis, but the profundity found in Mere Christianity is not present at the same intensity. That is most probably given the fact that most Christians (as I) who read this book probably have given at least some thought to the four loves before this book. The problem may therefore be my own desensitization.
The chapter on Eros perhaps engages the reader best as the word draws the interest while Lewis forces the reader to gaze upon the issue in a new light. The chapter (along with "Affection" and "Charity") gives the reader a new understanding of familiar themes of love while gifting a new respect and awe of the unique characteristics of the different manifestations of love. The gestalt of the book ultimately drives the reader to a new respect for the Creator of love as well as an appreciation for the complexity found in the four faces of unity that love expresses.
May we only continue to strive to reach for love--both as "need-love" and "gift-love". Then we fully can (with God's grace) appreciate the depths of humanity and the spiritual end of mankind.
Book Review: Drawn to Lewis!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was drawn to Lewis because of his imagination and penmanship. Interesting enough Lewis majored in Classics, and I love that. One who has working knowledge of Greek will seek that coming through this volume.
It can be a difficult read, but you have to slow down and reread paragraphs and sentences if possible. But you will be rewarded.
Book Review: Ever wondered why your mother acts like that???
Summary: 5 Stars
C. S. Lewis is not only one of the 20th century's finest minds, he's also amazingly perceptive of human behavior. This well-written description explains so clearly the four kinds of love and with such accessible illustrations from real life. Most eye-opening for me was the chapter on "affection" where I began to understand for the first time why we moms think we are so misunderstood; in actuality, our "affection" (storge) for our family has gotten out of hand! You'll need to read in order to understand. I highly recommend this book.