War in Heaven, A Novel

It was a little slow at first but then it picked up and enjoyed this book.

"War in Heaven" is a must for any serious reader of Christian fiction. It begins with an interesting murder and quickly evolves into a Quest for the Holy Grail,thus assuming that Those Feet in ancient times, did indeed wander England's mountains green. Along the way, an unlikely triumverate (or should we say Trinity) of good guys battles some very sinister fellows. Touches of humor grace the book, and the theology and the message are sound and inspiring.Williams was one of a trio of great early 20th century Christian authors, in a little club (The Inklings) with fellow dons C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Today, Tolkien is most remembered for fiction, and Clive Staples Lewis for theology. This is, in part, because Williams wrote in a more formidable style. However, once you get into the syntax and rythym, his words flow smoothly and he is very readable. Press on through the first few pages of any Williams book, and you will be rewarded with a "ripping yarn" on many levels.This book is recommended not only for those who love Williams' other fiction (Descent into Hell, Place of the Lion, etc.) and nonfiction (Descent of the Dove), but for anyone who would enjoy a serious Christian adventure novel.There is a strong message of the role of faith, and of eccumenical Christianity in "War in Heaven." Maybe it isn't for sticklers on one denomination's doctrine, but for most, it is well worth ordering.

Let's start by granting all the cavils of the critics: Charles Walter Stansby Williams wrote bad poetry, worse plays, and worst of all, a handful of obscure, nearly unreadable novels. Nevertheless, Charles Williams is my favorite writer, and War in Heaven my favorite of his books. Let me proceed to explain why. CW's poetry may miss the mark of some poetic standard, but even now I can recite pieces from Taliessin Through Logres, while I usually find modern poetry uninspiring. His plays may not hold up well in some conventional sense of what plays are supposed to be, but they contain some of the most quotable lines I've ever read, and I would drive to the next state to see one put on. His novels may be dismissed as dense and obscure, but they are among the most gripping books I've ever read. War in Heaven isn't his best novel--that would be All Hallows Eve-- yet it's my favorite. I'm finally up to the point of saying why.Some college lit classes read Descent into Hell because it takes place on a number of well-defined levels. War in Heaven has wheels within wheels as well, but they aren't so clearly defined. It's not quite his easiest to read novel--that would be Many Dimensions--but it's still one of the easiest. Of all his novels, War in Heaven perhaps falls over into the most categories--it's a supernatural thriller that is sort of a detective novel, kind of a suspense novel, in a way about relationships, about self-growth, spiritual search and discovery, but not in a traditional sense. Everything that conventional novels are supposed to be these novels are not, which is why people like me who have no desire to read the bestsellers at the supermarket checkout stand yet find themselves taken with Williams' novels. One popular book report topic in college lit classes is to show how the characters "grow" through the book. With War in Heaven I found this difficult to do because reading a Williams book, it seems it's more like the reader who grows. Although the little group who throw in their lot with the Archdeacon in War in Heaven come to live by a typically Williams-esque maxim, "Believe and doubt well," the book seems to end where it began, yet somehow everything is new.

I approached this book with an awareness of Williams' reputation as an obscure and difficult writer, but was pleasantly surprised at how engaging and accessible it is. The surface of the book is interesting and creative; the symbolism is layered and thought-provoking. In the conversation between Batesby and the "man in the grey suit," Williams contrasts the deeply thoughtful faith of the Archdeacon (and perhaps also the fear and insecurity of the "saved" Methodist), with the kind of one-dimensional thinking and certitude that can be found in any branch of religious practice. I was unpleasantly surprised to discover that only three of Williams' seven novels are currently in-print.

Some people 'get it' and some don't. CS Lewis got it, and admired Williams enormously. This is a great book, though people should remember the era it was written in. Few will understand its layered meanings and significances but even if some escape you the journey is a marvel.

Williams has often been -- unfairly -- compared to Lewis and Tolkien. Both the other writers are much loved and well-read. Williams' books, however, were very different. Deeper, in many respects; far more serious as literature; and far more committed overtly to Christ. He wasn't a great stylist and sometimes you feel he wrote too quickly, but the intensity of his books is unmatched. WAR IN HEAVEN starts off as a murder mystery, but later becomes a Grail quest. It's the sort of book people of faith should write more of, and the sort of book by a person of faith the secular world should read and praise -- but won't.