Sursum Corda – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rating: 3/5

Lost References:

The phrase “sursum corda,” Latin for “lift up your hearts,” is written three times on the blast door in the hatch. Yes, it’s also part of church liturgy – different versions for different churches – so I read some of those versions, too. But I’m going with the Emerson poem because, well, it’s literature, and that’s what I’m reviewing in this blog.

Thoughts:

The poem deals with predestination, a Lost theme. I like that the poem’s short, and to honor that achievement, I’ll keep my review short:

It had a couple good phrases but was largely unimpressive. Emerson had better (but this was one of his early poems, after all).

Island – Aldous Huxley

Rating: 2/5

Lost References:

The main character, Will Farnaby, is out sailing and crashes his boat on a strange island. The book opens with him suddenly waking up, all ragged and dirty, in the middle of the woods, just like Jack in the opening of Lost. DHARMA also built the Pala Ferry, and Pala is the name of Huxley’s fictional island.

Fun Fact: Aldous Huxley also wrote a short story called “Jacob’s Hands” about a man named Jacob who finds he has a healing gift, and he first offers his services at a church in LA.

Thoughts:

Though Farnaby gets more likeable as the book goes on – morphing from a weak-willed philanderer to someone who will stand up for his beliefs – the narrative itself is thoroughly laced with dry, plotless passages featuring the made up philosophy/theology of Pala. The lengthy last chapter is the part that would hold the most potential interest (the invasion of the island), but unfortunately, Farnaby’s high through the whole chapter.

Left Behind – Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: 5/5

Lost References:

This is the title of one of the show’s Kate-centric episodes. Also, some of the passengers on the Ajira flight disappear like the passengers in Left Behind.

Thoughts:

I actually read all but the last book in the series. The first bunch were excellent, with an interesting cast that just kept growing (kind of like Lost, or the other way around, because I read Left Behind before seeing Lost). Unfortunately, at some point about halfway through, the authors seemed to lose inspiration and creativity. But they kept pumping them out, milking the concept for all it was worth. (Probably the authors got greedy.) So, I’d say it’s worth sticking around for a while, but you definitely won’t get much out of the last handful unless you just have to find out what happens to your favorite characters. Or the related books, for that matter. I tried the teen spinoff, and I have to say that idea was just not happening.

Everything That Rises Must Converge – Flannery O’Connor

Rating: 3/5

Lost References:

Jacob is reading this book as Anthony Cooper pushes Locke out a window.

Thoughts:

This collection of short stories (named for one of the stories within) recycles a few recurring themes. Primarily, O’Connor deals with family issues, racism (especially in the Deep South), and ungratefulness. She also fixates on religion, a very specific kind that turns up in other works of hers, such as The Violent Bear it Away. This brand of religion is not one that most people would be familiar with – it’s basically crazy people with occasional violent deeds throwing stock religious phrases into conversations and yelling a lot. None of her characters are particularly appealing, but some are insightful cross-sections of major human flaws, usually the main protagonists. It makes sense for Lost, though. Obviously, everyone in the show has family issues, including Jacob. Lost also has frequent references to many religions, including various forms of Christianity.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret – Judy Blume

Rating: 2/5

Lost References:

Sun finds Sawyer reading this book on the beach.

Thoughts:

This book is obviously intended for young girls, so I didn’t expect to like it myself. I was right. When Margaret makes her dull and confused journey to discover her religious heritage, she only learns that she doesn’t have an opinion. The book’s intended demographic may enjoy a relatable protagonist, but not necessarily. That kind of character is no substitute for plot. And the book holds no obvious attractions for any other readers. Boys will be uncomfortable about the intimate female discussions that make up a large portion of Margaret’s time with her friends. Adults will just be bored.

The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis

Rating: 5/5

Lost References:

Charlotte Staples Lewis takes her name from Clive Staples Lewis, the author. There is a DHARMA station where Eloise works called The Lamp Post, which is an important marker in the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Narnia is a hidden world that only certain people can enter, much like the Island. In the Narnia books, Aslan usually brings in the visitors, and on the Island, it’s Jacob. Actually, on the LA X audio commentary, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have fun comparing Aslan and Jacob. (They decide Aslan would win in a fight.)

Damon Lindelof: You know what Aslan needs? Daddy issues.

Thoughts:

This series has long been one that holds great nostalgia for me, largely because of the old BBC movies, I have to admit. Whenever my dad would go away on business trips, my sister and I would camp downstairs on the hide-a-bed and pop one of the tapes in. True, the special effects were less than special, but I forgive them. Walden Media has, apparently, not forgiven them, for the effects are the main strength of the new movies. The first was a really spectacular remake; I absolutely loved it. The cast was variable. I loved their new Lucy – she had naivety in place of whininess. The new Tumnus was actually likeable. The White Witch, unfortunately, was personality-less. Just like Prince Caspian in the new Prince Caspian movie, which had far more angst and inter-king conflict than was necessary.

But enough about the movies. The books are also wonderful – there are seven of them, all unique fantasy adventures. C.S. Lewis evidently didn’t run out of ideas. If they were longer (and in poetry form), I’d probably call them epics, based on how much time they cover in the world of Narnia (which passes much more quickly than time in our world). They also deal with mythic themes and battles. But as it is, they’re children’s stories which partially serve as Christian allegories on different subjects, in the different books.