Narnia: C. S. Lewis and His World

by David Barratt

"Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy." C. S. Lewis fans everywhere know that this famous line leads children and adults alike into the land of Narnia, a place where a wardrobe leads to a fantasy land and beavers become your protectors. What made C. S. Lewis such a renowned children's author? Was it his ability to mold fantasy worlds so complex that it took a series to explain it all? Or was it his love of children's books even as an adult? This book will engage readers as it details the timeless Narnia series, fantasy literature in general, C. S. Lewis's life, and much more.

80 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2005

Reviews

[Jordan Louks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty informative, but it is a brief sketch rather than a deep analysis of C.S. Lewis. I was not expecting it to be a deep analysis so that was not a problem. Honestly, however, I think this book could not decided what it wanted to be though, so it is a little bit of everything--literary critique, biography, fan appreciation, apologetics for Lewis, etc. There were also moments where I felt Barratt's apologetics (even though he was still fair and mostly unbiased in his analysis) were a bit dissonant if this was intended simply to be a biography. But I suppose I have not read many biographical works so perhaps that is an approach that other writers of biography take. Anyway, overall it was a pretty enjoyable read about C.S. Lewis and his life.

[miharoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oftentimes I felt the author fanboyed over C.S. Lewis a lot in this book, that amidst the descriptions on the works and life of the renowned creator of Narnia were vague and general praises for the revered man. So I was quite lost about what D.B. truly wanted to tell the readers of this book. Or maybe this was exactly the type of book written for the other fans by a fan? Seems fair.

Anyway, my biggest takeaway from this book isn't about Lewis or his fictional universes, but the realization that I, too, could seriously take my own spiritual journey. Lewis walked his own spiritual journey from a young age and a period of disbelief, met a lot of people - those who influenced him and people whom he made an impact on, and eventually formed his own firm beliefs and reaffirmed his faith.

I am in the middle of a state of confusion. I had (and I still do) run debates in my head about the presence of God, the validity of religion, the truth in Christian teachings, etc... There have been times I considered myself agnostic, or maybe atheist. But the more I think deeper within, the more I see my attachment, or perhaps attraction, to the divine, to the spiritual.

Even if there's no religion I currently associate myself with, I'm always wondering where a soul like me would belong. Not putting myself in boxes, or strict categorizations, or rigid institutions. It isn't a question of whether I'll go to heaven or hell, but more a search for my absolute home, where my mind and heart and soul belong in unity and harmony. And I'm starting to think that's one of my life's - if not the only - purpose.

(P.S. I haven't read Narnia or other Lewis novels yet, so I might read this again some time. For sure it was worth picking up among hundreds of books in my favorite secondhand book store.)

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Barratt is a very informative one about one of the great men of our time, C.S. Lewis. I have read many of his books and have enjoyed them, some more than others. Narnia is really one of my favorites. It is well worth the read.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"

[Rivkah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like C.S. Lewis it's worth the read. It's a short survay of his life and his works and how they have progressed up to this point.

[Mjh · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting