The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Four Loves
Book Review: Loved "The Four Loves"
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent starting point for a reader only acquainted with C. S. Lewis through his fiction, "The Four Loves" stems from his "day job" at Oxford and Cambridge as a lecturer in Medieval and Rennaissance literature. "Loves" also invites the serious reader into Lewis' thoughts about the contrast between his Christian faith and the "psychological" bent of Western values and theory took in the late Twentieth Century. Well written and easy to understand.Book Review: Lovely insights
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll admit that I haven't read a ton of work by Lewis, but of the work I have read, The Four Loves felt the most scholarly, moreso even than my recollections of Mere Christianity. In The Four Loves, Lewis breaks down the concept of love and analyzes it from a moral and Christian perspective.
He uses familiar scholarly concepts from Plato's day by breaking love into the same four main segments that the Greeks used: Affection, Friendship, Eros and Charity. He adds to this the Christian scriptural reference that "God is Love" and then explores the religious aspects of love.
Some of the scholarly breakdown twisted my brain a little bit and took multiple readings to try and untangle...as he expounded on "Need Love" versus "Gift Love", I was right there with him, but when he started putting forth various in-depth analysis between Venus (sexuality) and Eros (romantic 'being in love'), things started to get muddled...and when he broke into the chapter on Charity, there were a number of theoretical and rhetorical leaps that were difficult for me to follow at times.
Overall though and in spite of moments of confusion, the general message of the book was good and well presented. He provided great insight into the differences between each of the categories presented. The concept of Affection vs Friendship in terms of what makes a 'real friend' was rather intriguing, especially as he continued his examples through love's progression to show how and why friendships are formed or fail to be formed, how and why friendships can grow into romantic relationships or not, and what aspect Charity plays in all of this.
As with Lewis's other books, there is plenty of theological discussion going on. I don't agree with everything he had to say, which is fine, but I think he made some great points. During the last chapter or so as he speaks on Charity, he provides some great nuggets for us to think on as we think about our own charitable behaviors. He also talks about the idea of Charity being both a 'need love' and a 'gift love' and that as we engage in that paradox, we are growing nearer to God's love.
I enjoyed the message of the book and the well thought out and well expressed arguments Lewis makes. The tone of the book was a little too scholarly at times which made it occasionally hard to read (since I've just finished school and am enjoying the break *grin*).
Still, I really like Lewis's insights, research and writing. I enjoyed "Mere Christianity" and "Screwtape" and I'm looking into a few of his other 'theological'/'scholarly' works. He has a nice style and presents great messages without being overly preachy.
****
3.5 out of 5 stars
Book Review: Revelatory
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a great book. It looks (as you might have guessed) at 4 different kinds of relational loves. It's changed the way I look at relationships over all.
CS Lewis has a great writing style and profound insights into the realm of love, especially as it pertains to our relationship with God as shown through our interactions with others.
Book Review: Subtly intricate
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a small nonfiction book or, more accurately, I should say, it's a short book. It's only about 140 pages long and at first it might seem like an easy read. Lewis categorizes the four types of loves as Affection, Friendship, Eros and Charity. He writes clearly and directly but there's a subtlety to his meaning that might easily be missed if you don't re-read, pause, consider, and then read again. There are so many wonderful `ah ha' moments and treasures to be found in this book. I'd highly recommend it.Book Review: The Four Loves: A Sincere Appreciation
Summary: 5 Stars
Sure CS Lewis wrote in English, some of which is in a style somewhat unfamiliar to read; but the content and passion by which Lewis writes is exemplary. This is a great book, very meaningful and insightful.