For me, a truly good story not only has an amazing world, characters that I believe in and connect with, and a plot that hooks me by both head and heart and won’t let go, it also inspires me.
It may be through the overarching theme of the story, through the decisions characters make or the code they live by, or simply through the way they react to the choices thrust upon them, but something about the story encourages me, makes me want to be better, to be more. It leaves me with a desire to think through and wrestle with the issues or questions the story presents.
If I were to try to list all the stories that have inspired me in this way over the years, the list would be long and contain many stories beautiful, heartrending, and beautifully heartrending.
So, for the sake of all our time, I decided to limit this post to only the most recent stories that have inspired me in some way over the past two – three months.
Black Panther
This film was beautiful and breathtaking and so well done in so many ways. T’Challa and Shuri’s sibling relationship was one of my favorite parts. And I love that the women of Wakanda were all so unique in their strength and that their strength was assumed and accepted by other characters—so often in stories, the challenge of a strong woman is that she must prove and prove and prove herself again. The fact that the women of Wakanda were welcomed in their strengths allowed them to enter and move through the story as 3-dimensional characters.
I came away struck with the question that the characters struggled with throughout the movie: What is the responsibility of those who have much toward those who are oppressed and downtrodden?
I think it’s a question we should all ask ourselves in light of Biblical principles of justice for the oppressed, freedom for the captives, and aid for the downtrodden. The question itself is only a starting place. But without a starting place, nothing can be done.
The Last Unicorn
by Peter S. Beagle
This book. *sigh* I just started rereading it recently and found myself immediately pulled alongside the last unicorn on her journey through a world that has forgotten unicorns existed.
It’s been a few years since I last read it, and while I enjoyed it then, I didn’t love it. Now, I am struck by just how deep and beautiful and philosophical, and therefore marvelously fairy-tale, the story is.
It gives us marvelous gems like this beautiful quotes:
Great heroes need great sorrows and burdens, or half their greatness goes unnoticed. It is all part of the fairy tale.”
And also this one …
I think love is stronger than habits or circumstances. I think it is possible to keep yourself for someone for a long time and still remember why you were waiting when she comes at last.”
I am always inspired by deep stories. Ones that are interwoven with meaning beneath the surface. Ones that inspire questions and make you think on your own. And The Last Unicorn is exactly such a tale.
Evaporation of Sofi Snow
by Mary Weber
I read this YA novel a few months ago, but the next book in the duology is releasing soon, and I’m really looking forward to reading it! It takes place in an imaginative sci-fi futuristic world where alien tech allows for virtual reality games that blur the lines between virtual and reality.
This book also touches on the issue of human trafficking – Mary Weber doesn’t shy away from tough topics. And I’m glad she doesn’t, because the reality of human trafficking is horrendous, shocking, and heartbreaking, and it needs to be stopped.
Sometimes a story helps the truth to sink in a little deeper. Recently, I’ve discovered more and more ministries and organizations combating human trafficking and working to help survivors find hope and restoration. If you haven’t looked into it, I encourage you to do just that, find out how you can be more aware and even help the cause.
And, as a part of her upcoming release for Reclaiming Shilo Snow (March 6th!), Mary Weber has started a donation campaign for one such organization, A21. You can find out more about that campaign here.
The Stormlight Archive
by Brandon Sanderson
You guys are probably so tired of hearing me talk about this series. *sheepish grin* After this, I promise not to mention it for at least … a week. Okay. Maybe more.
In the Stormlight Archives, the Knights Radiant are powered people formed around a set of ideals that vary depending on the order of knights, other than the first ideal, “Life before death; strength before weakness; journey before destination.” The gist of that ideal is that the way the knights live is important and their powers place a greater responsibility on them to strive toward a higher code of living.
Throughout the stories, characters wrestle with ideals of honor, integrity, justice, and truth. They stumble and fall. They make the wrong decisions for understandable reasons. They fail. They rise again.
As a concept, honor isn’t really talked about much in modern American society. But I grew up on tales of honor and nobility, so it’s a character quality that I have always hoped to imitate. And an epic fantasy story full of philosophical musings and questions to get you thinking, really, what could be better?
(Yes, we fantasy readers like deep thoughts too! Surprised? I hope not. I certainly don’t recommend getting your theology from fantasy stories, but I do think the best stories inspire deep thought.)
So there you have it! Now, it’s your turn!
- What are some of the most recent stories that have inspired you?
- What makes a truly good story in your mind?
- What types of stories or aspects of stories inspire you most?
Some inspiring series that come to mind would include the WIngfeather Saga, the Tales of Goldstone Wood, and the Bright Empires Series.
I love how they make everything seem so vast. An event or character will have several layers and grow as the story continues. There is a sense of wonder and depth that reminds me of the amazing things I find in my own world.
I really need to read The Last Unicorn. I’ve heard so many good things about it!
Oh, those are all wonderful ones! I agree that layers to both story and character adds so much depth to a book.
Yes, I just finished re-reading The Last Unicorn today, and it’s a truly beautiful, thoughtful book! I love it. :)