The Narnian, Alan Jacobs
The Narnian, Alan Jacobs
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The Narnian
The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis

Author: Alan Jacobs

Narrator: Alan Jacobs

Abridged: 9 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 10/11/2005


Synopsis

The White Witch, Aslan, fauns and talking beasts, centaurs and epic battles between good and evil -- these have become a part of our collective imagination through the classic volumes of The Chronicles of Narnia. Yet who was the man who created this world? This audio book attempts to unearth the making of the first Narnian, C. S. Lewis himself.One of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential religious writer of his day, Lewis was also an Oxford don and a scholar of medieval literature who loved to debate philosophy at his local pub. Yet one of the most intriguing aspects of Clive Staples Lewis remains unanswered. How did a bachelor professor, nearly fifty, and living in a wholly adult world, turn to the writing of stories for children -- stories that would become among the most popular and beloved ever written?Alan Jacobs masterfully tells the story of C. S. Lewis. From his childhood days in Ireland to his horrific experiences in the trenches of the First World War, to his friendship with J. R. R. Tolkein (and other members of the ""Inklings"") and his remarkable late-life marriage to Joy Davidman, Jacobs traces the events and people that shaped Lewis's philosophy, theology, and fiction. The story of a profound mind and extraordinary imagination, The Narnian is a remarkable tale of a man who knew great loss and great delight, but who knew above all that the world holds far more richness and meaning than the average eye can see.

About Alan Jacobs

Alan Jacobs is professor of English at Wheaton College in Illinois. He is the author of several books, including most recently The Narnian, a biography of C. S. Lewis. His literary and cultural criticism has appeared in a wide range of periodicals, including the Boston Globe, The American Scholar, First Things, Books & Culture, and The Oxford American.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Cindy on January 30, 2021

The single best book on Lewis I have ever read. Not just the facts but Jacobs discusses all the things we all wonder about Lewis in our own minds. Of course, I cried at the end. Just like I always do.......more

Goodreads review by Kris on August 20, 2019

A long and enjoyable romp through the life and ideas of Lewis. This book is not for the casual reader. It takes ages to get through and the writing is thick and circuitous (in a good way). But it is so much more than a biography: it explores the thoughts of Lewis. It's an exploration not only of his......more

Goodreads review by Dan on June 05, 2013

I loved this biography of Lewis and, in particular, of his imagination. I have praised it left, right and sideways, when people have asked me about it. So for the record, I wish to add my voice to the chorus of praises being sung about this book, and will not restate the many strengths of this book......more

Goodreads review by ladydusk on December 08, 2022

I started this a number of years ago. Got into a reading slump and DNF. Picked it back up this week on audio and powered through because I was enjoying it so much. Familiarity with CSL's catalog is really helpful.......more

Goodreads review by ValeReads on February 07, 2015

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 aud......more