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10th out of 100 books
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3 voters
The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis
by
Alan Jacobs
The White Witch, Aslan, fauns and talking beasts, centaurs and epic battles between good and evil -- all these have become a part of our collective imagination through the classic volumes of "The Chronicles of Narnia," Over the past half century, children everywhere have escaped into this world and delighted in its wonders and enchantments. Yet what we do know of the man w...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
October 11th 2005
by HarperOne
(first published October 1st 2005)
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The Chronicles are among my favorite books ever, and I happily reread them all every few years. I took up this biography to learn more about how C. S. Lewis came to create his marvelous stories. But although the book bills itself as a biography of the man's intellectual and creative development, what I find most important and fascinating about that development--just why Lewis became a Christian so relatively late in life, after being an avowed atheist, and how he conceived the Chronicles--remain...more
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Well done. Jacobs did his homework, and expands and explains much that Lewis only hinted at in Surprised by Joy.
Thoughtful passages on Lewis' last decade as he settled into professorship at Cambridge so long denied him by Oxford and came to deal with his own obsolescence, not to mention mortality.
Thoughtful passages on Lewis' last decade as he settled into professorship at Cambridge so long denied him by Oxford and came to deal with his own obsolescence, not to mention mortality.
Jacobs shows how Lewis's imagination saved him from rationalism, and thank God it did. If the Great Knock had shaped Lewis more than G. K. Chesterton and Tollers, we might never have been treated to Lewis's beautiful fiction, at least not in the way we have it. Narnia might have read more like the Golden Compass.
Jacobs give us a biography of Lewis's imagination, which at times takes Lewis to task. Lewis would appreciate the criticism but at times Jacobs faults Lewis for not falling in line with...more
Jacobs give us a biography of Lewis's imagination, which at times takes Lewis to task. Lewis would appreciate the criticism but at times Jacobs faults Lewis for not falling in line with...more
Outstanding Biography and Insight into Lewis
Alan Jacobs is a professor of English at Wheaton College, where the largest collection of CS Lewis writings and correspondance has been assembled. So, in addition to the natural talent and warmth that Jacobs brings to the subject, he is also arguably better equipped in terms of access to the private correspondance of Lewis than any prior biographers, and this results in a book that is both riveting and revealing.
The book itself is a refreshing look at...more
Alan Jacobs is a professor of English at Wheaton College, where the largest collection of CS Lewis writings and correspondance has been assembled. So, in addition to the natural talent and warmth that Jacobs brings to the subject, he is also arguably better equipped in terms of access to the private correspondance of Lewis than any prior biographers, and this results in a book that is both riveting and revealing.
The book itself is a refreshing look at...more
Sep 22, 2011
Kathryn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
C.S. Lewis fans
Shelves:
nonfiction,
biography
The Narnian is, as you might guess from the title, a biography of C.S. Lewis. Alan Jacobs, a professor of something or other and a student of Lewisania (if that’s a word), has written a fascinating biography based on his perception that Narnia explains everything about Lewis. I’m not putting it very well, but as Aslan says, “Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen of Narnia,” and by the same token, Lewis himself was a denizen of Narnia many years before he wrote the books.
I was al...more
I was al...more
Amazon Review:
Just in time for the major motion picture Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from Disney, comes this biography of the man who dreamed up the land and tales of Narnia. Jacobs, a Wheaton College literature professor, does so not in typical chronological style, but according to themes important in Lewis's life. So, in the chapter entitled "red beef and strong beer" (a Lewis quote about what was satisfying and nourishing to him), we encounter the strong male me...more
Just in time for the major motion picture Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from Disney, comes this biography of the man who dreamed up the land and tales of Narnia. Jacobs, a Wheaton College literature professor, does so not in typical chronological style, but according to themes important in Lewis's life. So, in the chapter entitled "red beef and strong beer" (a Lewis quote about what was satisfying and nourishing to him), we encounter the strong male me...more
In my reading life I try to read as many authors as I possibly can, sampling this person's work before turning to another author. I'm pretty much spread out in that respect. But there are a few authors who make me want to read all of their books, as if there exists an invisible mental catalog; those I'm done with are already neatly crossed out.
There's an inexplicably strong connection I feel with these people, my favorite authors—how their sentences are constructed, how their ideas flow, how th...more
There's an inexplicably strong connection I feel with these people, my favorite authors—how their sentences are constructed, how their ideas flow, how th...more
This is an excellent biography of C.S. Lewis, the creator of Narnia. Jacobs's biography is dense but well written: I know much more about Lewis, and the factors in Lewis's life that impacted his imagination, than I did before. Jack Lewis was a fascinating and flawed man who--along with his friend J.R.R. Tolkien--would have been happier in a different age than the one they found themselves in (a reality I share with both of them!) The Narnian is comprehensive, well researched, and quite satisfyin...more
There's been a lot written about the life of CS Lewis. So much so that wonders if perhaps we already have too much of such literature. Alan Jacobs, however, has managed to write a book on the life and works of CS Lewis that is fresh and worth reading, even if you're already familiar with Lewis. How? He wrote an almost-biography. Instead of covering the life of Jack Lewis chronologically from birth to death as most books do, Jacobs has attempted to write a biography of Lewis' imagination, paying...more
This book was not just a review of C.S, Lewis's life, which was interesting but not dramatically so. Instead, the author tried to delve into Lewis's thinking, which was the really interesting part.
The section I found most fascinating required a second listening (I had the audiobook). In this part the author discusses modern thinking, which refuses to see beauty, or any other characteristic, as inherent in any object or thing. According to modern thinking, seeing beauty in a waterfall, for exampl...more
The section I found most fascinating required a second listening (I had the audiobook). In this part the author discusses modern thinking, which refuses to see beauty, or any other characteristic, as inherent in any object or thing. According to modern thinking, seeing beauty in a waterfall, for exampl...more
This is not the first biography of one of my heroes. But this one might be the best literary / theological history of the great Christian apologist and theologian. Along with a basic life story, I found it to be a remarkable and fascinating analysis of the evolution of his thought, the inter-relationships of ideas among his novels and books, his friendships and interactions with family, friends, and others, and much more. The book was deeply researched and superbly written, debunking some scanda...more
I found it very interesting to learn about C.S. Lewis. He had a very challenging life and persevered through many trials and discouraging circumstances. I was surprised to see just how human he was and his struggles with faith were very resonant.
For all that this author did a good job of describing the circumstances of C.S. Lewis' life, he veers into a lot of editorial comments and opinions about C.S. Lewis' life that he does not take pains to qualify. I can appreciate the connections drawn betw...more
For all that this author did a good job of describing the circumstances of C.S. Lewis' life, he veers into a lot of editorial comments and opinions about C.S. Lewis' life that he does not take pains to qualify. I can appreciate the connections drawn betw...more
Of the things I learnt of Lewis I like this the best: Lewis took care of some children when they where evacuated from London during the blitz, a common practice at the time. He wrote his brother complaining of the lack of the childrens imagination. He claimed this was because their imagination wasn't being fed and would be easily remedied if only their parents took the time to read to them. I cannot help but laugh at this as this is a common enough complaint even today what with so many kids glu...more
This is a very good biography of C. S. Lewis. Jacobs is a skillful writer and has a great knack for weaving Lewis' own writing and ideas into the events of his life. He brings out the greatness of Lewis' mind and character without hiding his flaws or failing to point out what he thinks are some of his half-baked or somewhat parochial ideas. The thorough research that has evidently gone into writing this book is skillfully crafted into a fascinating narrative; very enjoyable reading. Jacobs convi...more
Quite a thorough look at the literary side of "Jack" Lewis interwoven with biographical details. Did you know he had an affair with an older woman that lasted from his college years at Oxford until her death as a much older woman in the '40's? That is not incidental to his life and what he handled in addition to his work as an English tutor at Oxford and as an author of scholarly and Christian works, including the Chronicles. The nature of Narnia and CS Lewis the reader and creator of "fantasy"...more
I learned a great deal about "Jack" Lewis, as everyone called him, probably more than I wanted. He lived for thirty years with a woman named Mrs. Moore who was as old as his mother. His exact relationship with her is a mystery even today. He had a very fraught relationship with his father, but adored his brother Warnie, who battled drink his whole life. Tolkien convinced him of the truth of Christianity, but later, they had a strained relationship because of Tolkien's criticism of the Narnia boo...more
Splendid. I feel I know Lewis a thousand times better after listening to The Narnian. I am especially grateful for audiobooks that are read by the author, as I can trust that the text is being faithfully expressed.
Just one small peeve about the formatting: the tracks ran entirely too long for an audio book. Get distracted for a moment and want to listen to some last little bit, and you might have to go back 5 or 10 minutes to catch it again. So one could spend an entire commute and not actually...more
Just one small peeve about the formatting: the tracks ran entirely too long for an audio book. Get distracted for a moment and want to listen to some last little bit, and you might have to go back 5 or 10 minutes to catch it again. So one could spend an entire commute and not actually...more
At first I found the style of this biography to be really slow. The author uses literary works read, or referred to, or written by C.S. Lewis to paint an image of his life. Perhaps the first chapters are more difficult because they are things that influenced him and not as directly evident as later quotes from works he wrote.
On the whole, a deep look at a fascinating, wonderful man. An added benefit to the quotations from his books that I now have many other books by Lewis that I want to read. I...more
On the whole, a deep look at a fascinating, wonderful man. An added benefit to the quotations from his books that I now have many other books by Lewis that I want to read. I...more
I listened to the abridged version of this book. Lewis lived a very different life than you might expect. A sad life in many ways. I have always found it interesting that the patron sain of modern evangelicalism smoked and drank. But Lewis lived in a different time and place.
This is my first Lewis biography to read so I have little to compare it to as to how accurate it is. I prorobly should have read Surprised by Joy first. The author is very well read.
This is my first Lewis biography to read so I have little to compare it to as to how accurate it is. I prorobly should have read Surprised by Joy first. The author is very well read.
Hodge podge and mish-mash account of Lewis' life. Some parts are thorough, like his account of Lewis and the war. However other parts, such as his relationship to Tolkien, feel more like commentary after the fact. I wanted it to be either or story (covering the major events) or analysis of important themes with connection to events. Jacobs cannot decide which he wants to do.
Speaking of which, sometimes Jacobs irritates me with annoying comments on Lewis' 'sexism' and his critics of Lewis' works....more
Speaking of which, sometimes Jacobs irritates me with annoying comments on Lewis' 'sexism' and his critics of Lewis' works....more
One of the best biographies I have read! Alan Jacobs is a great writer and provides insight into Lewis' life that makes you feel as if you were walking through life with him. I had Lewis withdrawal after finishing a book, as if I was mourning a friend who had passed... (I am also a really big fan of CS Lewis which may have something to do with it.)
Jacobs provided a real, unfiltered portrayal of Lewis that makes me appreciate and admire him even more than before I read the book. Any Lewis fan sh...more
Jacobs provided a real, unfiltered portrayal of Lewis that makes me appreciate and admire him even more than before I read the book. Any Lewis fan sh...more
By the last quarter of this book, I was really enjoyed it and, when I finished it, was really glad I read it. A great biography that, unlike most biographies, goes beyond just the happenings of C.S. Lewis' life and tries to ascertain how they influenced his writings. Also, I loved how Jacobs was able to pick up on Lewis' deep pursuit for joy as a thread running throughout his life.
Really a great book, well worth the read. If you're like me, you might find the first 1/4 hard to push through. Jac...more
Really a great book, well worth the read. If you're like me, you might find the first 1/4 hard to push through. Jac...more
Added 8/25/12. (Written and read by Alan Jacobs)
Publisher, Date: New York, NY : Harper Audio, 2005.
Edition: Abridged.
Description: 9 sound discs (10 hrs.)
I finished listening to this audio-book sometime in September 2012.
I wrote the following at my GR group while listening to the audio-book:
===============================
I always wonder if some writers tend to make things more complicated than they really are by using vague terms and not explaining abstract ideas clearly enough.
For example, I'm...more
Publisher, Date: New York, NY : Harper Audio, 2005.
Edition: Abridged.
Description: 9 sound discs (10 hrs.)
I finished listening to this audio-book sometime in September 2012.
I wrote the following at my GR group while listening to the audio-book:
===============================
I always wonder if some writers tend to make things more complicated than they really are by using vague terms and not explaining abstract ideas clearly enough.
For example, I'm...more
Not your typical biography. As Jacobs writes, someone else can give you the details about what walking tour Lewis took during which month of the year. Jacobs interacts repeatedly and intimately with Lewis's books and shows the development of Lewis's thought in both fiction and nonfiction. I especially liked the way Jacobs pointed out some common themes between Lewis's essays and his fantasy.
Jacobs is a gifted writer, and I enjoyed reading this book not only for the content but also for the exper...more
Jacobs is a gifted writer, and I enjoyed reading this book not only for the content but also for the exper...more
I am an atheist who loves Narnia. After reading them one after another this spring, though, I was disappointed with the racist overtones, the inconsistencies, and Lewis's ever-increasingly obvious Christian themes. I have NO problem with Narnia being Christian allegories! (I've always known Lewis was an uber-Christian - I've read several of his other books and quite enjoyed them.) I still love Narnia, just had never noticed all these issues quite so much. I wanted to understand why Lewis was so...more
A rambling but brilliant biography of one of my favorite writers. It portrays him as a whole man, flaws and all. I am amazed by the sheer volume of research that went into the book. I also love the angle it takes, exploring the events that shaped his mind and led him to create the Narnia books. Possibly the only grating aspect was the author's occasionally overly-informal tone. Using the word "plus" to begin sentences is not only informal, it's just lazy. Other than that, an immensely readable a...more
Alan Jacobs gives here exactly what I've always wanted to know about C. S. Lewis, in as complete a way as possible. It is a masterful exploration of a great man's mind and imagination; a truly lovely journey through influences, circumstances, accomplishments and attitudes.
Indeed, what better to say than the quote from The Weight of Glory with which Jacobs closes the book: "The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not *in* them,...more
Indeed, what better to say than the quote from The Weight of Glory with which Jacobs closes the book: "The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not *in* them,...more
Whoever you think C.S. Lewis was, you are probably wrong, at least in part. This is a really fascinating back-story on how Jack Lewis got from son of an alcoholic, emotionally obtuse father to professor at caimbridge, Oxford and author of many novels and works of scholarship, indluding the Narnia series. Did you know he had a whipping fetish when he was young? It's true! His relationship with the mother of a dear friend he lost in the war was also something I had never fully understood. He clear...more
I put this book aside for nearly a year after struggling through the first few chapters. It seemed at first that Jacobs had not defined his audience, and the heavy hand of a bossy editor jumped out every few pages. Though Jacobs is a professor of English literature, it seemed that he was given a directive to write for a general audience, resulting in pages of lucid prose interrupted by insultingly obvious definitions. Thankfully, at some point that editor was apparently sacked and Jacobs was abl...more
Overall I thought this was a very good biography of Lewis and particularly of Lewis's imagination. However, I was disappointed with Jacob's handling of Lewis's take on gender roles/relationships and his stance against modern feminism as found in his writings. In light of Jacob's excellent description of Lewis as an Old Western Man (something Lewis described himself as), it boggles the mind how Jacobs can see Lewis's opposition to the ordination of women, as well as certain other of his statement...more
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I grew up in Alabama, attended the University of Alabama, then got my PhD at the University of Virginia. Since 1984 I have been teaching at Wheaton College in Illinois. My dear wife Teri and I have been married for thirty years. Our son Wes begins college this fall, and to our shock, decided to go to Wheaton. I think he will avoid Dad, though.
My work is hard to describe, at least for me, because i...more
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My work is hard to describe, at least for me, because i...more
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“Those who will never be fooled can never be delighted, because without self-forgetfulness there can be no delight, and this is a great and grievous loss.”
—
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