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by Sheldon Vanauken

Sheldon Vanauken Leaders and Notable People English

ISBN: 0340501367
Author: Sheldon Vanauken
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton; 3Rev Ed edition (1998)
Language: English
Pages: 242
ePub: 1951 kb
Fb2: 1579 kb
Rating: 4.6
Other formats: lit mbr mobi doc
Category: Biography
Subcategory: Leaders and Notable People

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But there had been other influences as deep or deeper. The books of course had shaped his mind in a hundred ways, especially perhaps the poetry.

But there had been other influences as deep or deeper. He thought of the master at his school who had awakened him to the glory of Shakespeare, and his own discovery of Shelley. So many of the books, the best-loved ones, had been about England, and of course the poems were England itself.

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Sheldon Vanauken (August 4, 1914 – October 28, 1996) was an American author, best known for his autobiographical book A Severe Mercy (1977), which recounts his and his wife's friendship with C. S. Lewis. Lewis, their conversion to Christianity, and dealing with tragedy. He published a sequel in 1985 titled Under the Mercy. Vanauken was born Sheldon Frank Van Auken in Auburn, Indiana, the elder of two sons of a wealthy attorney, (Robert) Glenn Vanauken, and his wife Grace Merle (Hanselman) Vanauken

by. Vanauken, Sheldon.

by. Vanauken, Sheldon, Lewis, C. (Clive Staples), 1898-1963, Anglicans, Anglicans. New York : Bantam Books.

A Severe Mercy is an autobiographical book by Sheldon Vanauken, relating the author's relationship with his wife, their friendship with C. Lewis, conversion to Christianity, and subsequent tragedy. It was first published in 1977. The book is strongly influenced, at least stylistically, by the Evelyn Waugh novel Brideshead Revisited. It was followed by a sequel, Under the Mercy, first published in 1985.

Sheldon Vanauken quotes Showing 1-30 of 48. It is, I think, that we are all so alone in what lies deepest in our souls, so unable to find the words, and perhaps the courage to speak with unlocked hearts, that we don't know at all that it is the same with others

Details for: A severe mercy. Normal view MARC view ISBD view. A severe mercy, Lewis C. S ; Vanauken Sheldon. Publication: Toronto : Bantam Books, 1977Description: 239 . ewey: 24. 09 V217sSubject: Англикане - Англия - Биографии, Anglicans - England - Biography Англикане - США - Биографии, Anglicans - United States - Biography Vanauken, Sheldon Горе, скорбь, несчастье, Grief Christian biography Lewis

A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken, is a heart-rending love story described by its author as the spiritual autobiography of a love rather than of the lovers.

A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken, is a heart-rending love story described by its author as the spiritual autobiography of a love rather than of the lovers. A Severe Mercy is a masterfully crafted autobiography and the story of an intensely deep love relationship, a profound introspective on their path to finding God, and the utimate bereavement the author experiences as his thirty-something wife dies of a terminal illness. Along the way, their paths cross with .

Sheldon Vanauken, A Severe Mercy. Content (60 percent of the grade). A. The topic is appropriate to the course and your book assignment, neither too broad nor too narrow. The paper is at least five full pages in length, excluding title page, outline, and bibliography. B. Your topic is clearly stated in your first paragraph and well developed throughout the paper.

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Comments: (7)

Risteacor

I read A Severe Mercy when it first came out in 1977, and it impacted me deeply. I loved everything about it, his skill as an author and poet, his love for Davy and their growth together, his friendship with CS Lewis, and the profound way he shared his faith story. I wrote Sheldon a letter when I first read the book, and received a wonderful letter back, and it remains something I cherish. In the mid 1990's my wife and I went to Oxford, enjoyed evensong, and ate and had a couple of beers at The Eastgate, where Vanauken and Lewis had often met. Though I'm sure it's changed by now, at that time the decor was pleasingly dated. I've shared this book with many people over the years and haven't ever talked to anyone who didn't love it. Some years later Vanauken wrote that every book is at it's core a letter to friends, and his book more than most. It's nice to read it in that spirit, as he found joy in sharing his personal story with you, his friend.

Saithinin

Absolutely phenomenal book. Aside from being beautifully written and a great story, the book gives some great insight into the difficulties that accompany not only the loss of a spouse/loved one, but also the accompanying struggles with faith. Important for pretty much anybody living in our time. Highly recommend it.

Stylish Monkey

I read this at the suggestion of a friend who knows me as an insatiable devotee of C.S. Lewis. Mr. Lewis is a great and interesting writer, but the various editions of this book with jackets screaming "18 LETTERS BY CS LEWIS (oh, and some book by a guy named Vanauken)" do it a terrible disservice. Vanauken's love story with his wife is profoundly interesting, their acquaintances in America and England fascinating on their own merits, and Vanauken's elegy to his wife is a heartbreaking masterpiece of catharsis. By most critical accounts, he was never again as great a writer as he is here, but A Severe Mercy stands firmly on its own as both great autobiography and spiritual memoir.

uspeh

Title: A Severe Mercy

Author: Sheldon Vanauken

Published: 1977

Year I read it: 2012

One sentence summary: Vanauken's autobiographical narrative of the deep love he and his wife developed; their adventures all around the world, leading them to Oxford; their journey into faith, with the help of Oxfordian friend, "Jack" Lewis; and of their loss, the severe mercy.

Interesting fact: It contains 18 of Vanauken's letters from C. S. Lewis.

Three reasons to read it:

- This is honest-to-goodness one of the best love stories I've ever read! The depth, the romance produced from self-sacrifice (and common love for literature), is just astounding. And it's so refreshing to hear a romance from the man's perspective! Loved that beginning.
- Oxford! This book captures Oxford of the '50's - which really hasn't changed much. See below for some of the best explanations of life in that University town.
- The pain Vanauken goes through - and the faith with which he faces tragedy - are far more than "tear-jerking" or "heart-breaking." None of those cliche's will do. This book touches something far deeper.

One reason you maybe shouldn't:

It has very, very sad parts.

Great quotes:

Love is the final reality; and anyone who does not understand this, be he writer or sage, is a man flawed of wisdom.

We saw self as the ultimate danger to love, which it is.

Coming to England was like coming home, coming to a home half-remembered - but home.

"That's what Oxford is, a place to talk about everything..."

"This, you know, is a time of taking in--taking in friendship, conversation, gaiety, wisdom, knowledge, beauty, holiness--and later, well, there'll be a time of giving out... Now we must store up the strength, the riches all that Oxford had given us, to sustain us after. She stood there, Oxford, like a mother to us all with her hands heaped with riches."

I tended, indeed, to feel that God Himself dwelt in Oxford, His holy city, where He could hear the bells.

He had been wont to despise emotions: girls were weak, emotions–tears– were weakness. But this morning he was thinking that being a great brain in a tower, nothing but brain, wouldn’t be much fun. No excitement, no dog to love, no joy in the blue sky– no feelings at all. But feelings– feelings are emotions! He was suddenly overwhelmed by the revelation that what makes life worth living is, precisely, the emotions. But then– this was awful!– maybe girls with their tears and laughter were getting more out of life. Shattering! He checked himself, showing one’s emotions was not the thing: having them was. Still, he was dizzy with the revelation. What is beauty but something is responded to with emotion? Courage, at least, is partly emotional. All the splendour of life. But if the best of life is, in fact, emotional, then one wanted the highest, the purest emotions: and that meant joy. Joy was the highest. How did one find joy? In books it was found in love– a great love… So if he wanted the heights of joy, he must have it, if he could find it, in great love. But in the books again, great joy through love always seemed go hand in hand with frightful pain. Still, he thought, looking out across the meadow, still, the joy would be worth the pain– if indeed, they went together. If there were a choice– and he suspected there was– a choice between, on the one hand, the heights and the depths and, on the other hand, some sort of safe, cautious middle way, he, for one, here and now chose the heights and the depths.

Ximathewi

While first reading this book I thought it was a story of two young selfish people. But that is what most of us are when we begin life independently of parental figures. Then it began to unfold to a sweet love story. Comfortable and truthful (they thought) with one another. Then they "discovered" God. Truly a wonderful book. I am glad that Sheldon decided to put their story to paper. So many hours spent thinking about "things". I will cherish this book and perhaps reread.

Mr_Jeйson

I read this work about twenty years ago. The pain it brings to my heart with the second reading is like the first. His spiritual journey is raw and real. There are some people who die partially or even totally when their loved one passes on. Because they were inextricably one, the trauma never totally resolved for Van. C. S. Lewis writes encouragement during Van's journey before he loses his wife and afterwards. It is hard to say which letters are better.
If you don't like to cry, then avoid this read.

Anarasida

What a thought provoking memoir.
I became a Christian after many years of skepticism and doubt that this religion had anything to offer me.
However, I was to discover a God more than capable of handling my questions.
And this is what this book demonstrates through a beautiful story of love put to the ultimate test.
Believers and skeptics alike, read this book if you are wrestling with the big issues of life - our marvellous Creator offers you the same patient consideration he has offered to countless thousands before.

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