Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis
By Alan Jacobs
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About this ebook
A journey into the imagination of C.S. Lewis explores the themes and life events that contributed to The Chronicles of Narnia, the most enduring classics of children’s literature
C.S. Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. Yet among his poetry, literary history and criticism, novels and Christian apologetics stands a unique, delightfully imaginative children’s series called The Chronicles of Narnia, which have become enduring classics. Alan Jacobs takes this imaginary world of Narnia and uses the themes and stories found within to explore the imaginative life of C.S. Lewis. Not just a conventional, straightforward biography of Lewis, Jacobs instead seeks a more elusive quarry: an understanding of the way Lewis’s experiences, both direct and literary, formed themselves into patterns—themes that then shaped his thought and writings, especially the stories of Narnia.
Alan Jacobs
Alan Jacobs is professor of English at Wheaton College in Illinois. He is the author of several books, including most recently The Narnian, a biography of C. S. Lewis. His literary and cultural criticism has appeared in a wide range of periodicals, including the Boston Globe, The American Scholar, First Things, Books & Culture, and The Oxford American.
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Reviews for Narnian
78 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5An interesting biography of C. S. Lewis that focuses on his intellectual shifts throughout life and the intellectual issues that influenced his work. I found the beginning and ending engrossing, but the middle 4 or 5 chapters dragged significantly for me.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5If you are looking for a book that will merely be a biography of C.S. Lewis this may not be the book for you. This book gives a brief biography of his life but is probably at least half an analysis of his writings and philosophy. I still need to read several of Lewis's books and I dislike reading analysis of books I have not read as it is difficult to weigh the author's thoughts about the book.
If you are looking for a biography of C. S. Lewis my first recommendation is to read his autobiography, Surprised by Joy. I'm not sure I have found the best biography yet. =)1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very inspiring book. I was encouraged to see how this man could be a very earnest Christian yet so unique in every way.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Starts a bit slow, but Alan Jacobs' biography ends up being the best work I've read on C S Lewis's life. Jacobs focuses on the development and expression of Lewis's thinking, especially his imagination, and doesn't waste time on ground that's been covered so exhaustively already, i.e. his odd household arrangements, the Inklings, etc.