C S Lewis, most famous for his Chronicles of Narnia books and his
Mere Christianity radio broadcasts, led an unusual life that
travelled from Belfast to Oxford, and felt the impact of two world
wars. Lewis journeyed from a childhood fascination with Nordic
'fairie' tales to a deep understanding of philosophy and religion,
while gaining academic fame for his work on English Renaissance
literature. The authors of this biography have conducted the
enormous task of sieving through the mountains of correspondence
and diary entries that surround this extraordinary writer. The
result is a lucid, touching account that gives equal importance to
all aspects of Lewis's life, and is obviously crafted from
friendship as much as admiration. The biography allows the reader
to gain an understanding of the strong bond between Lewis and his
older brother, the disturbing sexual experiences that led to a need
for a motherly figure in later relationships, and his continuous
infatuation with the written word. An exploration of Lewis's
academic publications and novels, including Dymer, Allegory of Love
and That Hideous Strength, also permits the reader to gain
first-hand knowledge of some of his less famous works. This
biography has been expanded and revised from its original published
form in 1974, to include personal accounts from some of the most
established names in English literature, including Lewis's friend
and colleague J R R Tolkien. Throughout the biography the reader
learns more about Lewis, his teaching, his phenomenal discipline
and desire to learn, and eventually the love that he discovered
towards the end of his life. However, the descriptions of Lewis
avoid edging towards superfluous flattery, and instead allow the
writing of his friends, colleagues and family to show him in his
own remarkable light. (Kirkus UK)
This is the true story of C.S. Lewis - one of the greatest writers
of the twentieth century - whose books for children and adults have
become much-loved classics. Part of the story of C.S. Lewis has
been made famous through the film 'Shadowlands'. Here this
fascinating man's entire life-story is told by those who knew him
personally. C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898 and was sent to
England for a public school education with his elder brother,
Warren. Lewis exhibited a genius for imagination and perception
from his earliest years. Brought up in a Christian household, Lewis
lost his faith in his teenage years but was to regain it, with
reluctance, as a fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. His faith
subsequently influenced his writings. He became a vigorous champion
of the Christian faith through classics such as Mere Christianity
and through his BBC broadcasts. His Chronicles of Narnia became
children's classics and he was deluged with correspondence from his
young readers. In his latter years he unexpectedly fell deeply in
love with a divorced American, Joy Greshem, and married her, only
to suffer the devastation of her death a few years later. C.S.
Lewis died in 1963 at his home in Oxford. During his lifetime C.S.
Lewis suggested to his friend, Roger Lancelyn Green, who was a
fellow English scholar, that he would undertake his biography one
day. After Lewis's death in 1963 Lancelyn Green and Walter Hooper
were approached by several of Lewis's friends, to write the
biography. Warren Lewis, brother to Jack, contributed a great deal
to the writing. The authors had at their disposal a vast collection
of letters and diaries, as well as the recollections of many
surviving family members and friends. Walter Hooper has enhanced
the original text with additional material to provide a new,
expanded edition which all C.S. Lewis fans will be keen to own.
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