Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Macdonald, G.K. Chesterton & others

by Rolland Hein

Catching hold of the transparent world means in reality catching hold of myth. Literature of such great writers as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Madeliene L'Engle, George MacDonald, Charles Williams, G.K. Chesterton, John Bunyan, and others is examined in this introductory volume to Christian mythopoeia, Strong emphasis is placed on identifying the symbols and emblems within such mythic works as Lewis' Space Trilogy, L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time, and Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Includes index, bibliography, and preface by Clyde Kilby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, Religion, Literary Criticism, Biography, Christian, Christianity

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Rolland Hein was an American academic of English literature. He was professor emeritus of English at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

Reviews

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you read and then have 50+ new books to read.

[Justine Olawsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very best books, in my opinion, are the ones that lead me to read many other very good books. Two examples of this sort par excellence are Francine Prose's Reading like a Writer and Stephen Cox's The New Testament and Literature. From them, I received not only the pleasure of those authors' well-written work, but also was turned on to many, many other works that have brought me varying levels of joy.

I have read at least some of the work of most of the writers discussed in Rolland Hein's Christian Mythmakers; having read this book, though, I now have a whole new list of to-reads by authors both beloved and new-to-me. I had forgotten that C.S. Lewis wrote a Space Trilogy and that I still had never read Gilbert Keith's Manalive. Man, it's going to be a busy reading season for me! Bring on the rainy days and cups of tea! Jack understands.

Much like the best of these works of literary criticism, Christian Mythmakers is delightful to read in and of itself. Mr. Hein fills the introduction with his contentions about the importance of myth and the role it plays in filling that "pervasive yearning after the eternal" that is called Sehnsucht. All myth, including Christian myth, follows patterns of "creation, fall, redemption, and apocalypse" while exploring themes of "struggle, calling, renunciation, and deliverance." Because these are the eternal ideas and conflicts that define the human experience, we find truth in mythos, the stories we create, because they reflect the Truth of the Story that created us. Christian mythmakers, Hein asserts, hold a special place among storytellers, shaped and defined as they are by ever-revelatory Word that both is and is from God.

Especially interesting to me were the chapters on two of the most enigmatic of the writers -- the most symbolic, the least allegorical. These, to my mind, are George MacDonald and Charles Williams. I have read Mr. MacDonald's Phantastes and several of his short story/novella collections. I have not yet read anything by Charles Williams, though I think I once may have downloaded a freebie by him onto Kindle, but then turned away from what little I read in confusion and dismay. Mr. Hein's book has heartened me to read more by Mr. MacDonald (perhaps finally getting through The Princess and the Goblin) and given me the impetus to tackle Mr. Williams at last.

In writing about C.S. Lewis, Mr. Hein eschews the easy route of writing about Lewis's Narnia series, and he instead focuses on some of the more difficult in Lewis's oeuvre, the Space Trilogy and Till We Have Faces. This was a good call, I think, because, much as I love and adore Narnia, it never really achieves that other worldly/alternate reality feel of Tolkien's Lord of the Ring Trilogy or that Lewis's own Till We Have Faces does. Narnia, wonderful land that it is, has seemed to me as an adult visitor, to be mostly an idealized Medieval England with awesome talking animals and some more mythical and supernatural creatures thrown in. Believe me, that is why I feel so much more comfortable there than I ever have in Tolkien's Middle Earth or the strange pre-Christian landscape of Faces. But, it is easier to get a hold of; therefore, it was less necessary that Mr. Hein write about it in this lovely book.

If you are drawn to story, especially stories that dance alongside and reflect a bit of the light of the Story; that is, if you agree with Mr. Hein, Mr. Tolkien, Mr. Lewis, and me that "myth is integral to the completeness of our being," then I heartily and gladly recommend this book to you.

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was desiring to read Rolland Hein's 1998 Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, Dante Alighieri, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard (and wow, what a hugely lengthy book heading) because I was looking for specific and detailed information about Madeleine L'Engle (and I naturally kind of was assuming that L'Engle and her oeuvre would indeed be very prominently featured in Hein's text considering that in the book title he mentions L'Engle right after C.S. Lewis, as basically the second author). So you can and should imagine my surprise and unpleasant sensation of frustration when I realised that in Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, Dante Alighieri, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard Rolland Hein actually and in fact does not even devote an entire chapter to Madeleine L'Engle's writing (and in fact only very little textual space, period), albeit her name in the book heading appears even before J.R.R. Tolkien (which in my humble opinion makes the book title totally misleading and makes me equally feel negative towards author Rolland Hein right from the start, oh yeah, and in Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, Dante Alighieri, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard, Rolland Hein also totally ignores C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, and honestly, what the heck is that supposed to mean).

And yes, after now having read (or rather having skimmed through) Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, Dante Alighieri, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard, and Rolland Hein's above mentioned unsuitable and misleading book heading notwithstanding, this book really and totally just does not at all work for me. Because aside of my annoyance regarding how very little is textually presented by Rolland Hein on Madeleine L'Engle and her writing (even though she is so prominently displayed in the book heading), Hein's narrow focus on symbolism instead of on plot and on story (which are definitely majorly and absolutely essential for C.S. Lewis, Madeline L'Engle and J.R.R. Tolkien in particular), this really has made me totally and actively despise Rolland Hein's featured text and to the point that for me Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, Dante Alighieri, John Bunyan, Walter Wangerin, Robert Siegel, and Hannah Hurnard has been ridiculous, patently unreadable and as such only one star (and also a rating I am giving with no feelings of either guilt or contrition whatsoever).

[E.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this had some good points and excellent moments, overall it did not work for me. Part of the problem would come with any kind of scholarly examination of mythic fiction - by examining the symbols, it strips them of their magic, reducing and flattening them to mere objects. Hein does his utmost to avoid this, but the nature of the work itself forced it. The other problem came about due to his narrow focus on the symbolism within the various works to the exclusion of story. It's the story - or Story, as Lewis or L'Engle (or I) would insist on calling it - that drives these works, not the symbols. The symbols must fit within the framework of the Story, the story is not crafted around the symbol, and Hein's approach seemed to take the latter view.

A book that is useful in many ways, but ultimately failed for me. I think I would much rather read the stories themselves and steep in them rather than read an essay which picks apart their symbolism.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the centuries, there have been Christian writers who have captured the essence of mythology to reveal spiritual truths. Their stories spark a new level of awareness in our imaginations and deeply touch our hearts. Through these Christian myths, we understand ourselves and our relationship with God in a new light.

This book explores deep insights about the works of Dante, John Bunyan, George MacDonald, Chesterton, Charles Williams, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. There are also shorter explorations of the works of Madeline L'Engle, Hurnard, and a few other more modern writers. It's wonderful to see how each of these authors followed in the footsteps of those who came before.

I loved the writing style in this book! It has all the scholarly research behind it, but the writing itself is powerful and inspiring. It tugs at your heart and lifts your spirit to realms beyond the world we know. It's not just about intellectually understanding the power of myth to kindle our imaginations; it's about experiencing that inner fire and refreshment of spirit.

I really enjoyed that this book continually points to God as the Author of all stories. We create stories and myths because He created us in His image, with the ability to sub-create and imagine and dream.

This book contains spoilers for all the major works of these authors, but each section is clearly marked, so if you don't want to get spoiled, it is easy to skip ahead. However, this book would be best enjoyed by readers who are already familiar with at least some of these famous authors. A major part of the book is spent in analyzing Dante's Divine Comedy, Pilgrim's Progress, The Princess and Curdie, Phantastes and Lilith, The Man Who Was Thursday, The Lord of the Rings, and Lewis' Space Trilogy and Chronicles of Narnia, as well as L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time series. If you are totally unfamiliar with those and other works by the featured authors, you will miss a lot of the insights and shrewd observations in this book.

While reading all about these authors, I got motivated to go back and reread some of their works! I want to read Pilgrim's Progress again for sure. I feel like I will come to each story with a new perspective now.
I especially want to reread Lewis' Till We Have Faces again. The first time I read it, I don't think I really understood a lot of it. But now I will be able to see the nuances and hidden meanings of the mythology in the story!

[Mary Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The imagination in its highest reaches must have myth; it is a bridge that spans the gap between man and the eternal.”

[John Sester, LC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot, and it helped me understand the "mythmakers" on a deeper level.
It was simple and cursory, but will be of great help to anyone looking for something basic on these authors. I leave it with four stars because I felt there was much unexplored potential in this book. It was very good and I'd recommend it, but perhaps not one that I'd say "blew my mind".

The critique on Lewis's ending of Perelandra left a bad taste in my mouth as well. Mr. Hein's critique of Lewis on this point shook his credibility for me. I know Lewis's writing is by no means "sacred" or "untouchable", but I got the feeling that Mr. Hein missed the point to some degree.

[Aidan Cooley (The Melancholic Celt) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the topic of "Myth" which is much different than our modern, watered down, tasteless usage of the word. It was well written, though I came across many words I did not know, (that has never bothered me in reading, as I am always eager to expand my English vocabulary!) so be prepared to have a dictionary with you.

[Natalie Herr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great topic, strange execution. I liked the intro material for each author, but what followed was explorations of myth in their works- which for me, amounted to a lot of potential spoilers! So I skipped those parts and hope to read more of the original works of these literary giants.

[Becka the Book Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Whether or not people are aware of the fact, they cannot live without myth, nor can they reach full stature as people without true myths. Wrong myths destroy lives; those only partially true affect the human spirit like disease. A proper response to true myth is necessary to moral and spiritual health."

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me try a working definition of myth: take a value such as heroism, love, sacrifice, struggle, hope, and a quest, and weave a story around it, a story populated with humans and/or nonhumans, and magic outside of time or space. For Christians include faith and trust and the battle between good and evil.

This author says, "Myth is something people desperately need, cannot, in fact, live without. No other demand profoundly defines our humanity...The imagination in its highest reaches must have myth; it is a bridge that spans the gap between man and the eternal."

I cannot disagree. My favorite chapters were the ones about Tolkien and Lewis.

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

MYTHOPOEIA is the word used by Rolland Hein to describe the writing styles of the authors reviewed and the analysis is excellent.

C.S. Lewis George MacDonald
G.K. Chesterton J.R.R. Tolkien
John Bunyan Madeleine L'Engle
Charles Williams Walter Wangerin

"Making and experiencing myth are universal human realities. Hein, ever aware of the fact, leads us on a tour of Christian mythmaking from Bunyan to Wangerin. An enlightening, refreshing, and motivating work." J.I. Packer,professor of Theology, Regent College.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this every once in a while, and probably walk away with the same feeling each time. I can't sit and read through the entire thing. It's full of information but it is dry. It almost reads like a thesis, which maybe it is but I feel as if it is missing something. The best way for me to go to this book is to scan the different sections and focus on one or two authors at a time. That helps me to take in the information and figure out what I want to do with it without feeling overwhelmed.

[Bonita Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes essays on well-known authors feel tired and tiresome and don't tell you anything you don't already know about the authors and their books.

Sometimes essays are so highly readable you have a hard time putting the book down, and while you may have read at least something about the authors being spoken of, the new insights make you want to rediscover the authors and read everything ever written by them.

Thankfully, this book included the second kind of essays.

I so appreciate Rolland Hein's rich understanding of myth as stories that bring "the transcendent and eternal to bear upon life," and his recognition of the ability of these "Christian Mythmakers" to create a new yet timeless form of myth, invoking awe and revealing hidden truths woven within their enchanting stories.

Sometimes, while reading, I felt like the author was a friend coming alongside and saying, "Hey, did you notice this about the book?" or "Oh, I know you've read ____ by this author, but have you read ____?" or, "If you love the works of so-and-so, you have to read this guy!"

Note: When I saw the misspelling of Madeleine L'Engle's name on the cover in this book's second edition, I admit I was worried that my purchase was a mistake. Fortunately, her name is NOT misspelled in the book itself and must have been a simple error in the cover printing. The research Hein has done for the book itself -- the facts and quotes and insight -- is terrific and it's the kind of book I would readily reread and recommend.

Also, the "select" bibliography is a library of wealth within itself for anyone who loves the works of Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, L'Engle, and the rest.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rolland Hein is not a common name. However, He in is a very popular name of the Black Forest of what in now southern Germany. The next stop for the Rolland He in family tree was Alsace Lorraine an area between France and Germany. The family tree then went to Great Britain and Ireland. In the early 1400's the Hein family traveled to Nova Scotia and boated down the Hudson River until they arrived in eastern Pennsylvanian. The town of Bethlehem at the beginning of WW I, had become larger with many forms of the He in name. Suffice to say there are many branches of the family throughout the US. After many years and many marriages a DNA study was accomplished by selecting members of the family from different parts of the US to find that our family tree has black, red, yellow sand white on the limbs. I suspect that many families across North America are similar in nature...DEH

[Olivia Cornwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected (though I'm not sure what exactly I did expect), but this is an interesting read. It essentially examines these authors and several of their works, and how they've woven faith into fantasy/myth. I was a little confused by their definition of myth (the foreword, I'm afraid was lost on me and I'm not sure what I read there XD), but it was neat to see, in particular, the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, since those were basically the only authors whose books I remember well (I've read McDonald, but that was years ago and I remember little), and seeing how their faith and ideas were tucked smoothly into their stories. Like Tolkien's The Silmarillion or Lewis' Space Trilogy. It was neat to see how their faith was worked into their words.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the appeal for this book may not be universal, those for whom it does hold appeal will love it. Hein creates a framework of what myth looks like and tries to achieve in terms of portraying reality in a story setting, then connects those ideas to some master writers. His insights on each are clear, accessible, and profound, showing a deep appreciation for this group through intelligent study of their writings. Clearly, Lewis is is favorite; anyone who ever knew Lewis (3 of the other authors discussed) all feature sections on how they influenced Lewis, or he them. But who can blame him? Lewis is amazing. Highly recommended for critical research or the Lewis/Tolkien superfan.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This functions as a decent armchair introduction to the Christian mythopoeia of selected authors. It wasn't what I was looking for, however, particularly since I'm looking for more in-depth discussion of myth and Christianity. It might not be very fair of me to knock a star off for that - people do need basic introductions, after all - but I'm still frustrated by the surface-level handling of these authors, and how much the book depends on rehashing concepts already handled by the Zaleskis, for example.
Tl;dr: great sample of Christian authors that sticks with the surface level.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to each of these writers as myth makers. I personally wish it were more in-depth and academic. Instead, it summarizes some key thoughts of each author and their mythical works. I was also curious with Hein’s approach to kairos - I’ve always encountered it as “the opportune time” and not as a concept that is sort of “superseding time”. Overall, I think it serves as a solid introduction to these authors and their works of Christian myth.

[Alex McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a perfectly fine work and I am glad I read it. I was a little distracted by the authors biases which he made abundantly known. I also wish he would have interacted with some of the lesser known mythic works of some of these great authors. At times it felt like he was just summarizing works the reader is likely to have already read.

I did learn several things from this book though, and there was a lot of content I suspect to be revisiting.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into several key authors who wove their faith into their fiction. I enjoyed learning about a few favorites and added a couple more authors to my TBR pile based on the information about them.

[Debbie Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a wonderful collection of these influential writers. I want a copy, but unfortunately it's out of print, & I won't spend $41 for a copy! I'll just have to take it out of the library again.

[Saphraneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all but one of the authors R. Hein wrote about and think that he expounded on them and some of their works wonderfully. I also liked his explanation of myth.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes over my head, but worth it.

[Erika RS · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am an avowed atheist, but to discover why I was reading a book about Christian myth makers, you need look no further than the subtitle of the book. Tolkien, L'Engle, MacDonald, and Lewis are all authors I have enjoyed. Although this book looks at them primarily as Christian writers, the discussion of each of those authors writings was enjoyable.

Also enjoyable was Clyde Kilby's forward on the nature of myth. Myth in the writings of these authors is not the low definition of discredited stories. Rather, this book discusses the higher meaning of myth. In the words of Kilby, "Myth is the name of a way of seeing, a way of knowing in depth, a way of experiencing -- a way that in being disinterested contains the freedom of unending and vital interest." Myth is necessary because "Systematizing flattens, but myth rounds out. Systematizing drains away color and life, but myth restores." Any translation of idea into language, reality into system loses some depth. Myth is what recaptures that depth by providing sidelong glimpses of some sensed truth.

Hein makes the assumption that the truth that myth points to is embodied in Christianity -- the Bible presents myth that is also factual truth. This is not a bad assumption in so far as it is what the authors under discussion believed. However, it is an assumption and one that fails to carry its own weight upon further examination.

In the end, this book was a worthwhile read, but the large number of authors surveyed and lack of willingness to examine the basic assumptions Christianity's relationship to myth made it somewhat shallow.

[J. Alfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hein's love for the authors with whom he deals is unquestionable, and of course that makes for a good review and reminder of good works one knows, as well as a possible introduction to works one doesn't. Unfortunately, his argument is less than original (basically it is viewing writers in Lewis's tradition explicitly through Lewis's ideas) and his aesthetic judgements are often perplexing.
The book does have some real merit, and if one is in love with some of these authors or wishes to know them better, I wouldn't want to discourage it. I probably wouldn't have rated it so poorly if I hadn't expected something more from something with a title like this.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Some parts better than others. Specifically because of either the author or work reviewed. At times it was difficult to return because the style of writing felt like I was in a constant classroom. I kept expecting some familiarity between reviewer and author/work to break up the monotony. Nevertheless still a worth while read especially if anyone of these writers or their works are unfamiliar and fantasy/myth is a passion. A passing interest will likely make this book feel weighty. Enjoy!

[Kathy Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author compares and contrasts the works of Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress and authors such as C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and George McDonald. Illustrates the difference between myth, fairy and folk tales and how these authors related them to their Christian faith.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that takes some of the famous christian authors and looks into the area of mythmaking. Inspiring.