Williams gives a contemporary setting to the traditional story of the Search for the Holy Grail. Examining the distinction between magic and religi...
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reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Brandon
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Wow! Charles Williams was a great friend of Tolkien and C.S.Lewis. He was part of their group called the Oxford Inklings. This novel deals with some fascinating material: the sangraal, and a battle between satanic and heavenly forces on earth. Quite chilling in parts. Take a look at the malleus malificarum in reference to the Witch's Sabbath parts. A bit mind boggling in spots, like reading a whole novel of Neal A Maxwell talks. Heck, he's one of the guys that converted C.S. Lewis to Chris
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Jul 05, 2011
Jeannie
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This was my first encounter with Charles Williams. I read this for a Christian Fantasy class at BYU many years ago. I can still remember so much of the experience. There is no other way to describe reading a Charles Williams novel: it is an experience never to be forgotten. I once read that C.S. Lewis will take his readers up to the gates of Hell then turn tail and run; Williams on the other hand will march his readers right through those gates and they will emerge on the other side battle wea
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Jun 03, 2011
James
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I read this book after being introduced to Charles Williams in David Downing's EXCELLENT 2010 novel "Looking for the King"
I began my reading with War in Heaven as I understand it is Williams' first novel and because the subject was close to the subject of Looking/King.
War in Heaven is unlike any other book I have ever read, and I mean that in a good way.
The writing style is a bit stilted but as many other reviewers here have noted it is the style of a Brit More...
I began my reading with War in Heaven as I understand it is Williams' first novel and because the subject was close to the subject of Looking/King.
War in Heaven is unlike any other book I have ever read, and I mean that in a good way.
The writing style is a bit stilted but as many other reviewers here have noted it is the style of a Brit More...
Oct 08, 2010
Sheila
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Charles Williams died in 1945, aged fifty-nine, and I acquired three of his novels recently from a second-hand stall. This is the first one I’ve read. I found myself thinking of the differences between modern writing and the stories of not-too-long ago, remembering reading Dickens as a young teen and coping fine with long descriptions that would later bore my sons, knowing as I read that “this is a good author” therefore trusting the story to come. Not that Charles Williams writes like Dickens,
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Jun 26, 2011
Bryan
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In some ways similar to "The Exorcist," Williams' "War in Heaven" crosses genre, being both a horror book and a theological speculation. It doesn't have the driving force of "The Exorcist," but its roots are the same: a Manichean Christianity in which good guys and bad guys war over the souls of the undecided.
The book is quite personal, focusing the battle upon a small group of English men and women, along with one child, who are drawn together by the re More...
The book is quite personal, focusing the battle upon a small group of English men and women, along with one child, who are drawn together by the re More...
Jan 27, 2012
Helen
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It seems odd to me that though I've loved the two most prominent Inklings (Lewis and Tolkien) for many years, I'd never ventured into the works of the others until now. It took a most unpleasant illness and the resulting long weekend to get me to sit down with this book. I am most glad that I finally did.
War in Heaven is densly populated with complex characters, complicated plotting, and weighty moral issues. A pall of darkness hangs over London, the lives of the characters, and thi More...
War in Heaven is densly populated with complex characters, complicated plotting, and weighty moral issues. A pall of darkness hangs over London, the lives of the characters, and thi More...
Sep 26, 2010
D-day
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Charles Williams' War In Heaven starts with the finding of a corpse in a London publishing house. The tone is very light and the reader is ready for a screwball adventure. But with the introduction of Gregory Persimmons the story turns darker. Persimmons has been searching for the Holy Graal (sic), and seeks to use its power to perform occult ceremonies. He believes it now resides in a country parish of Fardles. He resolves to steal it but is foiled by the Archdeacon of Fardles. As the struggle
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Sep 11, 2011
Christopher
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This book has the jarring nature of She, the page-turning magnetism of The Name of the Rose and the spiritual intensity of That Hideous Strength. It is a breath-taking accomplishment that deserves to be up there with Lewis' Space Trilogy.
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Nov 16, 2009
Jonathan
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A lovely old fashioned evil publisher, opposed only by an Archdeacon, a Duke and various other persons, plus some forces possibly of angelic origin, or possibly pretending, it isn't really clear to me though the novel probably wants you to assume the former.
It is only fair to state that the body count is two murders by the forces of evil and one murder by the forces of good, though one of the first murders could have been prevented had the possibly angelic personage been actually int More...
It is only fair to state that the body count is two murders by the forces of evil and one murder by the forces of good, though one of the first murders could have been prevented had the possibly angelic personage been actually int More...
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Mar 10, 2009
John
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I heard of Charles Williams in connection with Lewis & Tolkien many years ago, but never picked up one of his books. I'm glad that now having read one that it was during a time in my life in which I've been within the Christian faith. I think much of the book would have been lost on me otherwise; which isn't to say that there still weren't times in which I found myself scratching my head trying to grasp the underlying implications of the story.
The story itself was gripping and often dist More...
The story itself was gripping and often dist More...
Jan 11, 2012
Myles
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Someone Blundered: So I wrote "Jackson" instead of "Williams"...thanks to Helen for pointing that out!
Well, I feel a bit cheated. This book had a brilliant opening line and scenes that were pregeniters of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. I thought I had stumbled onto something rich.
Unfortunately the book gets weighted down with theology and overwriting along the lines of unneeded explanations. It just got so boring, and how old it is is no excuse. I More...
Well, I feel a bit cheated. This book had a brilliant opening line and scenes that were pregeniters of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. I thought I had stumbled onto something rich.
Unfortunately the book gets weighted down with theology and overwriting along the lines of unneeded explanations. It just got so boring, and how old it is is no excuse. I More...
Aug 28, 2011
Taryn
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War in Heaven by Charles Williams wasn’t the easiest book for me to read. It has a lot of long sentences, not a lot of dialogue, and a lot of talking about things I don’t know (or words I don’t know). And it talked a lot about the devil.
However, it really was a tremendous story about faith, and good and evil, and Jesus, and the Eucharist, and the communion of saints. I will never be the same after reading that book. Honestly. It’s affected my faith forever, for the good.
However, it really was a tremendous story about faith, and good and evil, and Jesus, and the Eucharist, and the communion of saints. I will never be the same after reading that book. Honestly. It’s affected my faith forever, for the good.
Oct 21, 2010
Chad
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Williams was one of the Inklings (CS Lewis and Tolkien circle). If you like tales of sleepy English towns, ecclesiastical legends, clergymen, publishers, murder, and Satanism, you might like this book. Williams is a great writer. It is a fascinating story with well developed characters. Most importantly, Williams is attempting to articulate a vision for the meaning of all things. I just finished my second reading a couple nights ago. This novel will mark you. I recommend it.
Feb 08, 2010
Shep
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A powerful, engrossing mystery novel that doubles as a theological thriller. Some readers will not enjoy Williams because he is hard to read. His prose is not difficult, but every scene is packed with so much symbolism and meaning that one cannot simply gobble the book down like fast food - this book is an exquisite wine that must be tasted and savored. It isn't light reading, but it is right up my alley. Worth reading multiple times.
Apr 12, 2011
Colleen
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This is a well written book, but I had to read it for a class. Did not really enjoy it - I understand why it is interesting and important to study however. I would recommend this to people who enjoy a sense of religion in their stories as long as it is being made fun of. Which you would think I would love, but the jokes don't jump out at you. Humor was a different thing back then, so be warned.
Nov 13, 2009
Mike (the Paladin)
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Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?
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Apr 06, 2009
Xenophon
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War In Heaven is a Christian contemporary (1930) fantasy. The Holy Graal turns up in an English country church. The novel has some good lines, but I was unable to feel sympathy with any of the characters. Christian readers might find the characterization and the ending more compelling.
May 03, 2011
Mark
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OK. food for thought. kinda weird. I wish there were more books that left you guessing if something supernatural was going on, but they all get heavy-handed. (maybe like Turn of the Screw) (but I didnt like that one.)
Dec 19, 2010
Michael
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This is my least favorite of the four Charles Williams novels that I've read. The other three being Place of the Lion, Many Dimensions, and Greater Trumps. This book is well written and interesting, but lacks the more interesting wow factor of his other novels. This book is his first, and it seems to me that he was hanging out with C.S. Lewis and Tolkien and said. I should write a Christian novel. He then proceeds to forget what he is writing, though the elements are still there, it is more an o
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Mar 09, 2009
Eric
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I tried to 2 chapters to follow along given the great opening sentence but gave up (as did everyone else in the book club I'm in).
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May 25, 2011
Cynthia
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Quirky and enjoyable mystical thriller about good and evil trying to possess the Holy Graal, which has been stored away in the cupboard of an English country church.
Jul 28, 2009
Partially read for a course at Baylor University entitled: Oxford Christians, taught by Dr. James Barcus.
Jul 21, 2010
Carmon
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Not for everyone with its supernatural flavor and sinister portrayal of evil, but a powerful look at the undercurrents we miss in mundane things: the deep mysteries of simple liturgies of life and the little "lapses" that we excuse but that lead into dangerous territory. A very English novel, and made me think of Wodehouse at points, if he had ever waded into theological waters.
Mar 05, 2011
Gary
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The story is set in England, and starts out with a murder. Then it went weird for a couple of chapters, with some of the characters not being able to tell imagination from reality. Then it calmed down to a pretty good tale of good versus evil, truly - the forces of evil trying to capture the 'Holy Graal' (spelled that way in the book). The good guys are an archdeacon of the Anglican church, and duke, and a clerk. The bad guys include an oriental man, a Greek, and a publisher.
Apr 28, 2010
Jeff
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Interesting to see the "spiritual war" aspect in a book written in during the 30's. Easily a forerunner of "This Present Darkness". It was a little difficult to read due to the older style and references that were no longer common knowledge.
Overall I enjoyed my first read of another "Inklings" member.
Overall I enjoyed my first read of another "Inklings" member.
