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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very funny for Charles Williams, and well done,
By "danielalewis" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Many Dimensions (Paperback)
Charles Williams is always deep, and often thick and meaty. Happily, in this novel, he is extremely funny. Watching what the British do when a spiritually powerful stone is dropped into their outstretched hands is a fine pursuit. Some situations are farcically funny, others witty, and some are, in the end, pitiful- the kind of jokes about the human race that are rooted in our failure to do all we should with our great gifts, that we wish we didn't have to make.Williams combines an ultimately serious theme with high poetry, good plot and characters, and his highly individual treatment of the supernatural and mysticism for a very satisfying read (and re-read).
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does God Play Dice?,
By Karl (England, Great Britain) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Many Dimensions (Paperback)
Contrary to popular belief, I'm fast coming round to the idea that Williams was a *philosophical* writer rather than a *religious* writer. And not only because he himself described his seven novels as "metaphysical thrillers". Unlike "Descent into Hell" - which is quite frankly an overwrought gothic monstrosity - "Many Dimensions" is a 'typical' Williams story, with standard English prose (standard for the 1930s, that is), a straightforward plotline and plenty of pace. In fact you could put "Many Dimensions" up against later fiction of a similar tone - like Dennis Wheatley, for example (not very well-known now, but immensely popular in the 50s and 60s) - and be hard put to pick a winner. So where does the philosophy come in? Questions like: "If you can restore all of the people in group A to health, but in the process throw at least an equal number of people in group B out of work - at a time when work isn't that easy to come by in the first place - which group should take priority?" This question, and others closely related, run all through the story yet, due to Williams' writing skill, they do nothing to impede the plot unless the reader actively chooses to think them through. The final answer Williams gives, I *think*, is that there is no *easy* answer. Only he frames his conclusion far more lucid and impactful manner than that last observation might suggest. In short, this writing has the power to enthrall and satisfy a wide range of readers. Oh yes, why did I give this review the title "Does God Play Dice?"? When you read the book I think you'll know exactly why.
4.0 out of 5 stars
fast-paced spiritual thriller,
By J. Carr (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Many Dimensions (Paperback)
Many Dimensions is a fast-paced, mystical-scientific-spiritual novel in the same vein as C.S. Lewis' sci-fi thrillers (take That Hideous Strength and replace the Arthurian mythology with Middle Eastern Muslim mythology and you will have an idea of the mood of Many Dimensions). I found both Williams' briefly mentioned concept of "Organic Law" and his much discussed idea of time-travel fascinating. The characters are not extremely well developed, but the plot doesen't really allow it anyway. Since this is my first Charles Williams novel, I wouldn't know if it's his best but I would reccommend it to those interested in C.S. Lewis and the other Inklings.
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