Charles Williams

Williams is conceivably a brilliant writer, yet at the same time he may be one of the most difficult to understand. His writings stretch from a mystical, almost satanic view, implementing an array of religious symbols and themes, to theological and romantic views of Christianity. There seems to be no clear, decisive way to tell where all of his insight comes from. Williams dropped out of high school to help his father support their family, and as far as this blogger can tell, he never returned to a formal education system. Later in his life he began the start of his literary works (which are rather vast!) Before joining the Inklings he had already written several pieces, though very little was published; when I say very little I mean a small percentage of his work (roughly 20+ works) Williams became an intimate part of the Inklings' literary club and a close friend to C.S.Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkein and Hugo Dyson. Williams established the writing style Metaphysical Thriller; a spiritual and fictional story-type about change and coming-of-age. As the controversial author he was, he wrote on heaven and hell quite frequently in the days of the Inklings. Arguably his best piece was a novel titled Decent into Hell published in 1937.
Other Works: War on Heaven, Many Dimensions, The Place of the Lion, The Greater Triumphs, Shadows of Ecstasy, Decent into Hell, All Hallows Eve, and many poems and criticisms, biographies and plays, short stories and theological statements
"I believe we are living in 'the age of williams'...and our friendship with him will be our passport to fame."-Lewis

www.edlin.org,
The Crossroads. www.crossroad.to/excerpts/books/lewis/inklings-williams.htm www.touchstonemag.com/archives
Image: Breughel, 1562