The Great Divorce

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

C. S. Lewis' dazzling allegory about Heaven and Hell - and the chasm fixed between them - is one of his most brilliantly imaginative tales, where we discover that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside.

In a dream, the narrator boards a bus on a drizzly afternoon in Hell and embarks on an incredible voyage to Heaven. Anyone in Hell is invited on board, and anyone may remain in Heaven if he or she so chooses. But do we really want to live in Heaven? This powerful, exquisitely written fantasy is one of C. S. Lewis's most enduring works of fiction and a profound meditation on good and evil and on what God really offers us.

©1973 C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Wow..

This is the most beautiful story I've ever heard. I started this book and went for a walk and couldn't come home this evening and fear of falling asleep before I could finish it. CS Lewis really outdid himself with the story

Loved this book

Listened to this all the way through. Absolutely beautiful portrayal of our inability to let go of this world. Made me swallow hard and think harder. One to pass on through the ages.

Amazing, but I am still processing it

I don’t think I can write a critical review after having just finished the book. However, I will try to write some of my brief thoughts. The book is written in an approachable fashion; I think most anyone could glean something from it. It begins relatively non-religious and he gradually navigates his way into deep theologically provocative thoughts in an interesting and convicting story. I would recommend it to anyone.

A Glimpse into the Afterlife

A perspective of life after death, and an attempt to make earthly sense out of the spiritual and eternal reality of our future life. It make some sense out what we understand to be heaven, purgatory and our own hell after death, and how our life on earth shapes us now and into eternity. How we can get caught up in our own self righteousness, our own pity and how the struggle to break free after death becomes such a challenge, but still possible if we could just let go of our chains that hold us down.
I highly recommend to all that want to grow ever so closer to the kingdom and who have eyes to see.

Very Solid!

Though this novel is a work of fiction, there is much truth explained about humanity and our failed attempts to satisfy our own desires rather than surrender to God and attain His forgiveness.

Each of the bus-riders represents a woman or man that, at some point in life, questions eternity in hell or Heaven. The bus stops and everyone is allowed to step out and eventually notice that they are all ghosts, making no changes to grass as they step, not even being able to pluck a blade of grass. About halfway through, the main character meets a Scotsman (voiced very well by the narrator - all the voices were) who tries to draw him closer to the mountain rather than back to the bus. They have great discussions about the other characters but, more importantly, about what God desires for all of us, to be with Him in Paradise.

I do wish there was a better ending to the book. However, this book is just like the bus-ride and stop on a grassy plain: to be educational and make us think of God’s Love rather than ourselves. Very well done, C. S. Lewis! Well done to Julian Rhind-Tutt, also, for wonderful narration of both males and females, some with accents.

This book is a clear picture of how we hold ourselves back from the salvation that is generously offered by the Creator of all things. We’re still on this earth because the Lord has a plan for us. I pray that, as you read this book, you surrender your will to God’s and thank Him for His Love.

My favorite work from CS Lewis

This is my all time favorite book from CS Lewis. Very well preformed as well.

Bus trip from hell

Fantastic and insightful allegory for the spiritual realms. A very thoughtful perspective of the rout to each. My favorite CS Lewis book.

One of my favorites

It's a short listen but it's worth revisiting again and again. I've invested in a number of Lewis' audiobooks and they are all fantastic!

Amazing!

It poses such an interesting perspective! Lewis' view point is one I have never heard, it really makes you reconsider how we see heaven and hell. The story was quick and easy to listen to. The narrator has a calming voice that is easy to speed up if you prefer to. I loved it and will probably listen again!

recording quality

the recording seemed to have a irritating number of breaks in it when played. everytime tonal volume dropped it would break up....book was excellent but irritating to listen to