Lewis describes a fantastic place where the passengers of this bus have now arrived. He describes the people as not having enough substance -- like a spirit body -- to even displace the blades of grass they are standing on. On closer observation, though, he realizes that the men around him are still as solid as they were on earth. It's just that the place they are now is more real and solid than the reality they'd know. Imagine that. What a fantastic place.
He tries to pull up a daisy and could not, the plant seemed to be made of a diamond-hard substance. It would definitely be a "trip" to visit a place like that.
Before too long they got some visiters, coming to meet them. They seem somehow more glorified or more substantive, as the grass and the dew move before their feet. It's as if they are more real than the grass that was slightly more real than our character and his compatriots on the bus. Some of the people freak out and want back on the bus. He remarks that one such person is never seen again outside the bus. That's a shame. It'll be interesting to see what these people do and what they have to say. Are they angels? Are they people that have gone on before them (and received new bodies somehow)? I guess the next few chapters will reveal what's going to happen.
xxx
The new issue of HM is at the printers now. As PDF files, someone in the "stripping" department will assemble the pages into the working templates they have for printing. Our magazine bypasses film and gets made straight into printing plates. Prior to printing, however, they will generate "soft proofs" that are another PDF file, which I will proof later this week online. There are a few ads that are not turned in yet, which are dangerously close to not be included. After noon tomorrow we start getting charged late stripping fees for any changes or pages coming in (like a late ad). Hopefully, the late folks will come in under the wire.
I'm stoked about interviewing Maria McKee at 2pm today. She was the singer for Lone Justice, who made a big splash alongside U2, The Alarm, The Call, and very few others in the 80s with their art and faith.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 2, 2007 11:59 AMIt's interesting hearing one of my favorites books being mulled over, chapter by chapter, from a newcomer's perspective. I have read and re-read the Great Divorce so that some of the initial assumptions regarding the plot are forgotten, and that initial magic lost.
Thank you for allowing me to relive the wonder vicariously, and I won't spoil the rest of this marvelous book for you.
Posted by: Jordan Peacock at April 2, 2007 03:06 PM