This may be my least favorite of C.S. Lewis's stories, but that isn't saying a lot. I thought the bus ride to heaven and hell was a bit goofy, but everything else was phenomenal. From detailed descriptions of the physical properties of heaven to the wisdom of George MacDonald, this book will make you rethink your priories in life and the afterlife. It serves as a "reality check" of sorts. Though told as a fantasy story, I believe this book is more of an essay.

I would not pass over this book!

I haven't read too much of C.S. Lewis's work. I'm not a huge fan of his writing. But someone at work was reading this, and I had it sitting at home, so I decided to pick it up and go through it. It wasn't a very satisfying read.

An unnamed character is transported by bus to heaven from what he eventually learns is hell. He meets a diverse group of people on this bus, and even more when he reaches heaven. These people, which are actually ghosts, are each met by someone from heaven who tries to convince them to let go of what they are holding on to and leave hell. Our unnamed character(who tells the story in the first person) is met by George MacDonald, of Lilith fame. The two engage in dialogue that expounds Lewis's thoughts on heaven and hell.

This book is a response to William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, and is not very well written, especially when compared to some of Lewis's other works. The overall thought is that you can't fully embrace Christ while embracing the world, and that whatever you lose in the world will seem trivial once heaven is gained. A nice story and moral, but the way it is told isn't great.

Good old Lewis gets us on the bus from Hell! If you don't know anything is better, then your happy. Heaven is there for those who want to be complete.

The Great Divorce is not a book for people on terrestrial ground but for those with expanded minds seeking faith and understanding spiritual freedom

C.S. Lewis has a great talent for combining fantasy and reality. Here, he follows an average man as he travels (by bus) from Hell into Heaven and overhears a number of conversations between souls trapped in Hell and the angels who are trying to free them. In each of these conversations, the trapped souls cling a particular type of sin (or mindset, if you will) that prevents them from experiencing the total joy and love of Heaven. I think most of us will see a bit of ourselves in each of these poor souls, and as the angels struggle mightily to open their minds, they give us plenty to think about as well.

In fewer than 200 pages, Lewis paints a vivid picture of Heaven and Hell, although he makes it clear in the preface that his portrait is merely a flight of his own fancy. On the surface, the narrative is simple and can easily be read in one sitting. However, beneath the surface are many deep theological questions. Lewis probes the nature of God and our perception of time and eternity. He allows us to see our own lives from the perspective of angels, which is quite disturbing. What we value may be at odds with truly matters, and we are stubborn in ceding any ground - so much so that in the end we may knowingly choose a miserable Hell over Heaven itself.

If it sounds impossible that we could make such a choice even when Heaven is within our grasp, you may change your mind after reading this book!