I grew up
loving the Chronicles of Narnia. The land of Narnia wasn’t somewhere that I just
read in the novels, I of course watched and enjoyed every adaptation that was
available. And who couldn’t enjoy the BBC adaptations from the late 80’s? Mr Beaver
– terrifying. But on top of all that I explore
the lands C. S. Lewis had created in my imagination most days. I loved them.
My next
experience of Lewis was in The Screwtape Letters, which in my opinion, are a work
of genius. Mere Christianity was my most recent read of his and I am yet to
read the Space Trilogy, or any of his other non-fiction works. So it was only
natural when I saw this book that I would want to read it and meet the man
behind the works that I had so much enjoyed.
Initially I
found it hard to get into. I’m not a huge biography reader and I often find the
opening chapters hard going. But once I had battled through that I found this to
be a fascinating book. It was the kind where you get annoyed by interruptions
and you have to be reminded to eat.
There was
so much that I didn’t know about C. S. Lewis. My knowledge of him had kind of
been limited to an awe of someone who could create a world like Narnia. I remember
when I first found out that he was an Oxford academic and had a bit of
difficulty getting my head around him being both academic and immensely creative.
I know it’s not that unusual to be both but I was young. But that was where my
knowledge ended. I had no idea about his involvement with WWI or about his
relationships with his father and brother.
So yes, one
I would most certainly recommend. Make a brew, or get an ice cream and make an
afternoon of it.
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