In his life, C.S. Lewis received thousands of letters from young fans who were eager for more knowledge of his bestselling Narnia books and their a...
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reviews
May 14, 2011
Aedan
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An enlightening, amusing and sometimes moving series of letters sent by C. S. Lewis to his younger readers (some godchildren or children of friends, others simply young fans) from 1944 to 1963 - the last one written a day before his death. A quick read full of insights into writing and religion, and although most of the letters understandably relate to Narnia, there are fleeting references to the Science Fiction Trilogy (which I have read) and Lewis's favourite of his own books, Till We Have Fac
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Aug 03, 2010
Carsten
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I was in need of some light reading last week - and this book had been on my shelf for several years - I picked it down and started to read - and there was a smile on my face. What a delightful reading, so funny, witty and also a sting in the heart a couple of times where C. S. Lewis explains to the children that his wife is very sick and that his busy visiting her in the hospital.
Some of the children wrote back again and again and you sense the beginning of a beautiful friendship b More...
Some of the children wrote back again and again and you sense the beginning of a beautiful friendship b More...
Dec 11, 2011
Zach
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Many of the letters are formulaic - perhaps due to the overwhelming amount Lewis must have received every day - but a number of them feel so full of life and beauty that they overshadow the slight repetition. There is one letter that refers to this fullness as being "like a flower whose smell reminds you of something you can't quite place." The metaphor really sums up the entire work. There is "something" here that teems with life as it is really experienced. Not because
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Jun 02, 2011
Joshua
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Great, short read you can crank out in an evening. It's quite relaxing to hear Lewis' thoughts in such a laid back, informal way. By no means does that make it uninteresting, though; Lewis quite intelligently responds to some insightful questions from children, shedding light on Lewis' intent behind his fiction, such as The Chronicles of Narnia. He also leaves a few great tips on writing in general, akin to the advice left behind by Flannery O'Connor in many of her essays. All in all, an intrigu
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Dec 12, 2009
Briana
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I was feeling sort of down today, but a trip to Half Price Bookstore made everything all better, especially when I found this book! (Plus Letters to Malcolm and a G.K. Chesterton book! Chesterton books are ridiculously hard to find...)
I have a thing for C.S. Lewis books...yeah, I don't need them, but they're cool to own...
This book only took about an hour, but it made me feel so much happier...sort of the same feeling that I got from Letters to an American Lady, except more he More...
I have a thing for C.S. Lewis books...yeah, I don't need them, but they're cool to own...
This book only took about an hour, but it made me feel so much happier...sort of the same feeling that I got from Letters to an American Lady, except more he More...
Jan 12, 2012
Mary
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A charming and delightful peek inside the mind of one of the 20th century's greatest writers. These letters treat children with the respect they deserve; in other words, Lewis talks to them as if they are people who can understand more than most grown-ups give them credit for. He even tells children who ask him about the Chronicles of Narnia that children often realize who Aslan represents before adults do! Valuable for students of children's literature, and for those who are involved in childre
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Feb 26, 2011
Mychael-Ann
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Someone loaned this to me after we had a great conversation about C.S. Lewis. I loved how he wrote to the children with such respect and answered their questions truthfully and with wit. I love the Narnia books so it was fun to read his responses to the children's questions. Makes me want to look up some of his lesser known books and to finally get around to watching Shadowlands. A quick, delightful read.
Nov 03, 2009
Miss Clark
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Wonderful book, with plenty of neat details and facts, esp. about his Narnia series.
Excerpts:
22 January 1977
Dear Martin,
The books don't tell us what happened to Susan. She is left alive in this world at the end, having by then turned into a rather silly, conceited young woman. But there is plenty of time for her to mend, and perhaps she will get to Aslan's country in the end - in her own way. I think t More...
Excerpts:
22 January 1977
Dear Martin,
The books don't tell us what happened to Susan. She is left alive in this world at the end, having by then turned into a rather silly, conceited young woman. But there is plenty of time for her to mend, and perhaps she will get to Aslan's country in the end - in her own way. I think t More...
Mar 01, 2010
Emily
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Endearing. A little repetitive (that's not C.S. Lewis's fault, though), but very cute nonetheless. I do wish we could see the letters the children wrote to him.
My favorite part was when he told one child not to use big words, but to use little words to say precisely what you mean, no matter if your teacher likes it or not.
My favorite part was when he told one child not to use big words, but to use little words to say precisely what you mean, no matter if your teacher likes it or not.
Dec 05, 2010
Amber
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I actually really enjoyed this. The intro had some fun facts about C.S. Lewis' life. And reading some of the letters he wrote in response to "fan" mail he received revealed a great deal about the kind of man he was as well as fun behind the scene facts about his Narnia bks (& others).
Aug 18, 2009
Josette
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Not really sure which shelf to put this on--I read some of the letters to my 8 year old and she enjoyed them.
The letters are insightful, charming and well-written. I wish I could write letters like that (then again, if I could, I'd have probably had a book published by now!)
The letters are insightful, charming and well-written. I wish I could write letters like that (then again, if I could, I'd have probably had a book published by now!)
Nov 21, 2009
Josh
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pleasing. an interesting look at the life of the famous author through correspondence. he's by no means glamorous but well educated and positive, albeit a bit repetitious (what'cha expect, he's writing letters to children!) did you know he called himself "Jack"?
Feb 03, 2009
Rachel
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A collection of letters from CS written to children from around the world. This book makes me want to meet CS Lewis even more than I ever did before. He is so frank, and so open, and so honest in his letters and he so obviously enjoys observing things from a child-like viewpoint, and intellectual discourse even with children... I wish he was still alive when I was young so I could have written to him.
Feb 22, 2010
Greg
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This small sample of Lewis' ample correspondence with his fans shows a true sensitivity to the minds of children. He treats the children as adults but also answers them in a way appropriate for how they opened the conversation. I was impressed with the number of children he had an ongoing correspondence with. The most fascinating thing to me was how he handled the religious undertones of the Narnian stories. For children who referenced this specifically and asked about it, he had no problem
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Dec 24, 2010
Christina
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What an enjoyable quick read! The respectful tone with which Lewis interacts with his young readers is instructive and delightful. It only made me sad I missed the opportunity to write to him myself.
Nov 15, 2010
Jessica
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I reluctantly settled for it when, after deciding to read all of Lewis, I couldn't find many of his more well-known works at the local library. I was pleasantly surprised.
Furthermore, it was a little fortuitous that I read this before any of his great works; I feel it served as a nice introduction to the author beforehand!
What I especially loved was that it became clear to me through his letters that he was a down-to-earth per More...
I reluctantly settled for it when, after deciding to read all of Lewis, I couldn't find many of his more well-known works at the local library. I was pleasantly surprised.
Furthermore, it was a little fortuitous that I read this before any of his great works; I feel it served as a nice introduction to the author beforehand!
What I especially loved was that it became clear to me through his letters that he was a down-to-earth per More...
Aug 02, 2011
Erika
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An interesting look into CS Lewis's interaction with his readers - and a reminder of how different it was then than how it is now.
Feb 11, 2011
Tre
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A collections of letters from children to C.S. Lewis, and his responses. A charming book that will touch your heart on many levels.
Jun 03, 2009
Barbara
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Really wonderful. C.S. Lewis never talked down to children. He treated them and their questions with great respect and dignity.
Mar 04, 2009
Hon
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allows one to see the soul of one of the great apologists of our time...and makes one appreciate his 'children books' even more.
Jan 04, 2012
Necia
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It was an interesting insight into his interpersonal relationships with some of his readers. Some letters were really interesting while other letters made me sit and think and then read them again.
Sep 12, 2009
Cindymjensen
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Really got a glimpse of C.S. Lewis' character. Love him and his books even more
Sep 28, 2008
Sandy
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...Gives great insight into the kind of man C.S. Lewis was. For him to take the time to respond to letters that children had written to him is so wonderful! He wrote in such a sweet, yet unpatronizing way to them.
Some of the children he wrote to were "pen pals" with him for many years...I loved the advice he gave from time to time and wish there had been more of it!
I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the Narnia series, as much of what he wrote about was in res More...
Some of the children he wrote to were "pen pals" with him for many years...I loved the advice he gave from time to time and wish there had been more of it!
I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the Narnia series, as much of what he wrote about was in res More...
Feb 02, 2008
Caroline
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I flew through this book - and when I finished C.S. Lewis became more like a grandfather to me. I have always reveled in his literary genius and theological mind. Yet, to read these letters, I saw quite clearly his passion and love for children. Why else would he painstakingly write letters encouraging and teaching those brave souls who were faithful to correspond?
I only wish I had lived at that time to receive even a nugget of wisdom or jest from this wonderful man!
I only wish I had lived at that time to receive even a nugget of wisdom or jest from this wonderful man!
Sep 03, 2011
Rivkah.
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I loved this book. It included some of the letter to C.S. Lewis children wrote over the years as well as letters he wrote back to his fans and family! I thought it showed great insight as to who Jack Lewis was as a person.
Mar 17, 2008
Baff
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An extremely tasteful and compelling set of letters Lewis wrote to little ones who asked about his books. Very interesting to see how he robustly yet lovingly answers them, expecting they should understand him quite well. An excellent companion to The Chronicles of Narnia, since he answers many questions about those.
