Deep Magic, Dragons and Talking Mice: How Reading C.S. Lewis Can Change Your Life

by Alister E. McGrath

Deep Magic, Dragons and Talking Mice

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity, Books About Books, Christian, Biography, Theology

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[MrBReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exploration of the beliefs of C. S. Lewis and how he might respond to some of the biggest questions that he addressed in his life and career. It has an interesting format, imagining that the reader is having eight meetings with Lewis and exploring what he might have to say on such varying subjects as Heaven, Education and the meaning of life.
This book was always going to score highly in my ratings, save of course for an utter disaster, due to my appreciation for the works of Lewis, and McGrath has done a good job of drawing out what Lewis might say on some interesting topics. His conversational tone seemed a little forced at times ('As the kettle boils, we might begin by asking him...'), but I understand and appreciate the purpose. He is attempting to portray Lewis not as a faceless author, but as the man Clive Staples Lewis who battled with his own life circumstances and beliefs, and enjoyed sitting in a pub surrounded by good friends. For all the perhaps slightly forced pleasantries, McGrath succeeds to this end.
Any fan of C. S. Lewis and/or his works should read this book which is delightfully easy to read without being basic, especially if, like me, you desire to see beyond the 'famous author' and into the thoughts and beliefs of the man. I particularly enjoyed reading his thoughts on Education and believe that McGrath has ticked every box that he intended to (this is key - anyone expecting a full-blown biography should instead turn to a full-blown biography!) and produced a lovely little book!

[Emilia Skirmuntt · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are interested in authors beliefs and Christian propaganda backed up by some works of CS Lewis that's a book for you. But otherwise there is not much more to it.

[David Sinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Dr McGrath and his work and I like C S Lewis. He wrote the book no doubt but I doubt he wrote the blurb to this one. It was not like having a lecture with Lewis. It was however having a lecture about Theology and Lewis with Dr McGrath. He clearly loves God and Christianity, and equally loves Lewis and his works. I loved this book, but not for the reason the publisher wanted me to. They should have the confidence to trust us readers that Dr McGrath's name is as much a recommendation as Mr Lewis's is.

[Nick Dawe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear summaries of Lewis’ writings on a variety of key themes. Enjoyable to read, and even moving in some areas (particularly regarding suffering, heaven, and accounts of Lewis’ own life). The title and blurb are perhaps a little unhelpful however – for instance, the title infers that much of the book is dedicated to Lewis’ Narnia stories, which is really only a fraction of what this is about.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Narnia is the body of work that immediately comes to mind when we think of C.S. Lewis, it was only a small part of his writings and was written to show the importance to him of the topic of the majority of his writings, his faith.
Thus while the title implies this book will be about Narnia, Narnia is featured in only two of the eight chapters, or 'meetings' as the author calls them. This book is predominantly about faith and how Lewis embraced Christianity, with other sections on education and friendship.
Lewis had so much to say on so many topics that he could be quoted ad infinitum. Such as his words on reading literature - it enables us "to see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts, as well as our own."
As this is only a short book, we are offered a taste of Lewis's work, offering the opportunity for us to choose which works we would like to explore in full. A wonderful summing up of a great man's life and work.

[Jacob Sabin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally found a cheaper copy of this book. I love C.S. Lewis and I think McGrath does an amazing job talking about Lewis. I did not realize this was exactly the same as his "If I Had Lunch With C.S. Lewis." Maybe I should have. The titles were different enough, so I did not think about it. I like this book. I think McGrath does a great job going over some key themes to Lewis's works and life. I am not sure if I wrote a review for the other one. Either way, if you are a Lewis fan, I really do think you will appreciate this book. Read the bio McGrath does on Lewis, it is really good. But, since I know have two copies, I will most likely be giving one away (which is fine, because it is a nice thing to do).

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alister McGrath is usually a very good writer, clear concise and intelligent but I found the style of this book rather clumsily written, there is a lot of repetition such as the same quotes repeated throughout the book and even longer passages which are almost identical to previous chapters. It is still intelligent however and is a great introduction to the range of Lewis' writings not just the well known works. Another issue was that it came across as a book on Christian apologetics aimed at Christians (using words like we and our which might make any non Christians readers feel excluded which isn't necessary even when discusing Lewis' religious beliefs)

[Jane Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking review of the beliefs and ideals of C.S.Lewis, the noted author of the much-loved Chronicles of Narnia books. It tells how the writer and renowned academic looked beyond science to find meaning and purpose in Christianity leading him to conclude that his former atheism did not satisfy his quest for answers. It’s fascinating but I did find some of the prose somewhat disjointed in parts, hence only four stars. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in Lewis’s works and also to anyone struggling to understand the conflicts between Christianity and science.

[Brittany O'bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say that this book is a good introduction to CS Lewis for those who are looking to learn a bit about his life and a few big thought ideas. I enjoyed it and it has encouraged me to read books by CS Lewis in the future.

[Lindsey Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - both thought-provoking about God and an insight into the life of CS Lewis. I read it in short sections over a few years and it was easy to dip in and out of. I will definitely be coming back to re-read at some point.

[LaochRione · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read even if it is a bit clunky in places. It doesn't feel as if the author ever really got into a flow when writing it. It is an excellent introduction to CS Lewis and could help direct the novice through Lewis' works.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful and winsome. Anyone can read this and enjoy it.

Lovely to get to know C.S.Lewis a little more and to understand that there is hope for each of us.

[Paul Trembling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is clearly a C.S. Lewis fan. No problem, so am I, and I found his look at Lewis's thinking, as shown in his writings, to be deep and thought-provoking. McGrath doesn't quite have Lewis's gift for bringing clarity to some of these challenging topics, but to be fair, few people do. What McGrath does do is to share his own extensive knowledge and understanding of Lewis and his writings in an original and effective way. I certainly enjoyed this distillation of his knowledge about Lewis, and I think it would be a very useful introduction to Lewis's work for anyone who isn't already familiar with him.

[Beks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The is a great little book for anyone who enjoys CS Lewis's work - and not just Narnia.

[D]

Interesting biography of C.S. Lewis, using The Narnia Chronicles to outline his beliefs and discuss serious events in his life.

[Mayowa Adebiyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succeeds in making you want to read more Lewis, even everything by him.