C. S. Lewis: A Biography
by Roger Lancelyn Green, Walter Hooper
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This is the true story of C.S. Lewis - one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century - whose books for children and adults have become much-loved classics. Part of the story of C.S. Lewis has been made famous through the film 'Shadowlands'. Here this fascinating man's entire life-story is told by those who knew him personally. C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898 and was sent to England for a public school education with his elder brother, Warren. Lewis exhibited a genius for show more imagination and perception from his earliest years. Brought up in a Christian household, Lewis lost his faith in his teenage years but was to regain it, with reluctance, as a fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. His faith subsequently influenced his writings. He became a vigorous champion of the Christian faith through classics such as Mere Christianity and through his BBC broadcasts. His Chronicles of Narnia became children's classics and he was deluged with correspondence from his young readers. In his latter years he unexpectedly fell deeply in love with a divorced American, Joy Greshem, and married her, only to suffer the devastation of her death a few years later. C.S. Lewis died in 1963 at his home in Oxford. During his lifetime C.S. Lewis suggested to his friend, Roger Lancelyn Green, who was a fellow English scholar, that he would undertake his biography one day. After Lewis's death in 1963 Lancelyn Green and Walter Hooper were approached by several of Lewis's friends, to write the biography. Warren Lewis, brother to Jack, contributed a great deal to the writing. The authors had at their disposal a vast collection of letters and diaries, as well as the recollections of many surviving family members and friends. Walter Hooper has enhanced the original text with additional material to provide a new, expanded edition which all C.S. Lewis fans will be keen to own. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A very engaging biography lovingly written by friends that does not tip into hagiography. The focus is on Lewis' family life, successful career in academia/literature, and and journey away from Christianity and back as an enthusiast. Comparatively little is about the Narnia series beyond its intellectual development. It definitely comes across that Lewis had a prodigious memory, was among the most well-read persons of his time, and extremely knowledge about Western literature. There is much about the long-running Inklings meetings including Tolkien and other brights.
Have not finished. Skips around. Assumes that you have read Surprised by Joy.
Mielenkiintoinen ja kattava kuvaus nerokkaan kirjailijan elämästä ja työstä.
Mar 5, 2011Finnish
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Author Information
85+ Works 14,303 Members
Roger Lancelyn Green was born in England in 1918, where his family has lived for more than 900 years. He was often sick as a child and spent long periods confined to his room devouring Greek myths, medieval romances, and fairy tales. Green began a lifelong fascination with Greece and Greek culture when he first visited that country in 1935. He show more went on to compile and retell many Greek stories, including "Old Greek Fairy Tales," and "Jason and the Golden Fleece." Green also wrote his own stories, but he is better known for his retellings of folk tales from around the world. Roger Lancelyn Green died in 1987 (Bowker Author Biography) show less
10+ Works 1,031 Members
Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- C. S. Lewis: A Biography
- Original publication date
- 1974
- People/Characters
- C. S. Lewis; Warren Lewis; David Gresham; Douglas Gresham; Joy Gresham; Roger Lancelyn Green (show all 17); Owen Barfield; Nevill Coghill; Joy Davidman (Joy Lewis); Hugo Dyson; Arthur Greeves; Walter Hooper; Albert James Lewis (father of C. S. Lewis); George MacDonald; Janie Moore; J. R. R. Tolkien; Charles Williams
- First words
- PREFACE
To write the biography of a man of genius as many-sided as C. S. Lewis is a daunting task, and it has not been undertaken lightly.
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Literature Studies and Criticism
- DDC/MDS
- 828.9 — Literature & rhetoric English & Old English literatures English miscellaneous writings English miscellaneous writings 1900-
- LCC
- BX5199 .L53 .G73 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Christian Denominations Christian Denominations Protestantism Church of England Biography
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 504
- Popularity
- 59,661
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English, Finnish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 10
