Book Review: The A-Z of C.S. Lewis by Colin Duriez


Synopsis:

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis's death, this complete guide covers all of Lewis' works, from his literary criticism to Narnia.

C. S. Lewis's work is widely known and regarded, but enthusiasts are often only aware of one part of his work-his children's stories and his popular theology; and yet he wrote so much more, including science fiction and literary criticism. This volume brings together all aspects of C S Lewis's life and thought. Arranged in alphabetical order, it begins with The Abolition of Man-written in 1943 and described as "almost my favorite"-to Wormwood, a character in The Screwtape Letters. This book will delight anyone who is interested in C. S. Lewis and wants to learn more about him, his thought, his works, and his life.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tzmgH 


Review

If you only know of C.S. Lewis from the Narnia books, then you have missed on the man's brilliance and intelligence! While the Narnia books are very important, they were written to prove to J.R.Tolkien that he could write a similar commercial success book, based his renewed Christian faith. Lewis' depth was much more than just his commercial success. I recommend you start by viewing the commercial film about him, Shadowlands. Anthony Hopkins does an excellent job of bringing Lewis to life as more than just a writer. In fact, seeing the movie, send me on a quest to read more of his other writings (having read the Narnia series as kid).

Subtitles, A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings, this book is just that- a reference book to all things Lewis! Having read pretty much about 80% of everything Lewis wrote, I say this with fact! i really enjoyed how it is laid out as an encyclopedia type tome, so that if you are reading one of his works, you could turn to it and look up something, get info on it, and then return to your reading. By having primary characters included, it is helpful if you haven't read say a previous book, that alludes to a character in another book or writing of his! Which really makes this book the ultimate reference book for reading Lewis!

I honestly don't know if our generation will produce writers such as Lewis and Tolkien, whose works have had such seminal influence on subsequent generations, yet remain relevant and not outdated. They came from a generation steeped in the classics and were able to continue the traditions of Homer and his ilk, of telling stories with meaning, that always seem appropriate to the time they are read.In the meantime, we still have this excellent guide to all things Lewis. I urge everyone, especially Christians, to read more works from Lewis, like Mere Christianity and The Four Loves. They will inspire you and make you rethink what you know about Lewis!


About the Author:

Colin Duriez was for many years a commissioning editor at Inter-Varsity Press UK. He has subsequently appeared as a commentator on DVDs of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, and BBC television's The Worlds of Fantasy. He is also the author of The Inklings Handbook (with the late David Porter), J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Story of Their Friendship, andTolkien and The Lord of the Rings, and has contributed to definitive reference works relating to Tolkien such as The Tolkien Encyclopedia (Routledge).


Do you have a favorite book written by C.S. Lewis?
Comment below and tell us!


Comments

  1. C.S. Lewis was a brilliant, kind and special person, a mensch. His writing personifies this. He married a Jewish woman and loved her til her death.

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  2. The lion the witch and the wardrobe of course;)

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