The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia Series #6) by C. S. Lewis, Focus on the Family Staff (Created by)

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I can't say enough about how good these FotF dramatizations are - they really do a wonderful job - far better than the movies ever might - of bringing you into Narnia. From Paul Scofield as narrator, to David Suchet as Aslan - not to mention Douglas Gresham as the "host."

I'm slowly listening to these again on my iPod - next up the last book (I refuse to accept the revisionist chronological order - fooey). This time through I was really struck by the passage where - on their journey to fetch a special apple, Diggory complains that Aslan failed to supply their needs along their way:

"I'm sure Aslan would have, if you'd asked him," said Fledge.
"Wouldn't he know without being asked?" said Polly.
"I've no doubt he would," said the Horse (still with his mouth full). "But I've a sort of idea he likes to be asked."

That is SO much better than 5 hours of sermons on prayer....

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana
by Anne Rice

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Excellent, again. Anne Rice is doing a very good job at taking the Bible and bringing it to life - and particularly in telling the Gospel story from the point of view of Jesus.

The story considers the struggles of Christ to understand his nature and who he is. It brings the story to the beginning of his public ministry, to the wedding at Cana. And that wedding is significant, as Rice invents a backstory - yes, entireley speculative - that underlines the signifigance of the event. I thought it was nicely done.

I'm struck here and in the earlier book by how carefully Rice hews to a very orthodox understanding of the Biblical narrative, yet brings in quite a few details from contemporary knowledge of the first century customs and practices. I look forward to her next installment!