When Bernard Dayman falls asleep, the nurse thinks he has died. Bernard thinks so too, until he opens his eyes and finds himself waiting for a bus on a street he had never traveled before. Is this heaven? No, it's the decaying city of Old Town. As Bernard begins to explore his new surroundings crumbling beneath him, he soon realizes that he cannot stay. After learning about the homes in New Town, Bernard becomes determined to get there . . . and along the way discovers a thing or two about the Christian walk. In the footsteps and style made popular by his college professor and friend, C. S. Lewis, Blamires has created an entirely original and inventive story about living the Christian life. Masterful story-telling and vivid metaphors make this an entertaining read for fiction enthusiasts everywhere.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Eighty-nine-year-old Blamires, who has written extensively on English literature and theology, offers an offbeat allegory of heaven and earth. It begins as Bernard Dayman, lying on his deathbed, drifts off into what he imagines is his final sleep, only to enter a protracted dream state in which he encounters a purgatory-like place in the guise of an English village called Old Hertham. During his week in Old Hertham, he encounters an old flame named Eve (whom he once courted at a place called Eden Falls) and her virtuous daughter, Marie. Old Hertham is dominated by the estate agency Godfrey and Son, where the deceased people who "live" in Old Hertham can apply for residency in New Town. Blamires uses these conceits to hammer home the Christian truism that this world is not our home and the more compelling notion that entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is deceptively simple, provided one's heart is in the right place. While the tone of Blamires's writing wanders somewhat bewilderingly from farcical to satirical to cautionary, and the allegory occasionally veers into the maddeningly obtuse, this book is likely to draw an appreciative audience who will enjoy the challenge of decoding its message. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Town... thought provoking,
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This review is from: New Town: A Fable...Unless You Believe (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoyed this work of Blamires. He has a sense of wit and insight into the human nature that made it very readable and also very familiar. As you read of the different characters in the book, you will often find yourself thinking, "Why, I know someone very much like this character!" After reading this, I have begun to purchase other works by Blamires and have not been disappointed.
My only wish is that the book was longer, as I so enjoyed his writing style. The book is a fine allegory and can be enjoyed by those of faith and not, which explains the aptly chosen title of the book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book by C.S. Lewis' protege,
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This review is from: New Town: A Fable...Unless You Believe (Paperback)
I picked this book up to read over the weekend. I didn't expect much out of it, since I'd never heard of the author and the premise seemed kind of weak. But I was surprised by the depth of this story.
The first thing that shocked me is that Harry Blamires was a protege of C.S. Lewis. The second is that this allegory has serious chops. I plan to read this book again and again, so deep is the parable. The story centers around Bernard, who dreams that he has died and is deposited in Old Hertham, which is falling apart. He is told that certain developers are building NewTown, which lies across a deep ravine. But to obtain residence in NewTown, one must get on The Waiting List. Bernard spends a considerable amount of time trying to get on the List. He also comes into contact with an old flame, and her grown daughter. The relationship between the three of them is complicated and interesting. The only problem I have with the plot is its sudden ending. Blamires' prose is incredible. Lewis' influence is evident, but Blamires has a voice of his own. I'm kind of upset I've never heard of him before, but I plan to find more books he has authored. I would recommend anyone read this book
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