6b, C.S. Lewis. Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. 1945 FIRST EDITION. 

Description

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis is a profound Christian allegory first published in 1945. The story explores themes of heaven, hell, and the choices that separate the two. It begins with a narrator who finds himself in a dreary, gray town—an allegorical version of hell—where he boards a bus bound for a bright, beautiful country representing heaven.

As the travelers arrive, they discover that they are only ghosts in contrast to the solid, radiant beings of the heavenly land. Each passenger is given the chance to stay in heaven if they are willing to let go of the sins, pride, and desires that tie them to hell. Through encounters with various spirits—each refusing or accepting grace—Lewis vividly portrays the moral and spiritual decisions that determine one’s eternal destiny.

Ultimately, The Great Divorce emphasizes that heaven and hell are not arbitrary places, but the natural outcome of the soul’s choices. It’s a powerful meditation on redemption, free will, and the transformative nature of divine love.

Notes

1945 FIRST EDITION Yellow hardback with red book title label, some bumping on four corners, intact, small tear on upper spine dust jacket, otherwise very clean and good condition.