C. S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller (Men of Spirit) [Paperback]

Beatrice Gormley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003 | Series: Men of Spirit

Young readers who have been enchanted by the Chronicles of Narnia may now come to know about the great storyteller who wrote them. This biography of C.S. Lewis brings the man, the mind, and the thoughtful, joyful spirit behind Narnia to vivid life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 UpAIt is difficult to write about Lewis and not mention his Christianity. Gormley does a good job of focusing on her subject's spiritual life while providing a solid biographical context against which to examine it. His personal relationships, from his troubled one with his father, to his late-in-life marriage to Joy Davidman, are thoroughly explored, both for their import for him as a Christian, and as a writer. Other influences on his work are also discussed. Gormley describes Lewis's relationship with J.R.R. Tolkien, who did not like the "Narnia" books, and with other members of his writers' group, the Inklings, who played integral parts in his life. Quotes from the subject, his family, and friends lend a certain intimacy to the presentation. Pictures of Lewis and those close to him also enhance the book. This title continues what Michael Coren touches upon in The Man Who Created Narnia (Eerdmans, 1996), albeit with a stronger emphasis on Lewis's spirituality. Students looking for more than the basic biography will certainly find it here.ACarol Fazioli, Cardinal Hayes Library, Manhattan College, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. Gormley does an excellent job of introducing Lewis, a Christian philosopher and author, to the many young people who have enjoyed his Chronicles of Narnia. As the author's note and the annotated bibliography show, Gormley has used many sources, including Lewis' own writings, to piece together his story. In doing so, she focuses on how Lewis' early life, including the death of his mother and his uneasy relationship with his father, had a continuing impact on his adult life and his writings. Most central to her story, however, is Lewis' personal journey from atheist to committed Christian, and Gormley frames this inner conflict in a way readers will not only understand but also identify with. Small black-and-white pictures break up the text, but the layout is not particularly inviting. A readable biography that should attract Narnia fans. See the March 1 issue's Professional Reading column for a review of Journey to Narnia, a companion piece to the Narnia Chronicles. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802850693
• ISBN-13: 978-0802850690
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,212,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man The Myth The Christian, June 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: C. S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller (Men of Spirit) (Paperback)

Gormley wonderfully takes you through the journey of C.S. Lewis' childhood story writing days, and continues you onto his more mature and very obscure writing style as his life progresses. Through the whole biography she slowly gives you little hints about Lewis' humor, fear, and family problems. We not only learn about this intuitive storyteller but we are introduced to a man that followed earnestly after the heart of God not only in his personal life but also we see this through his novels. Nearing the end of this life explained we receive the background of one of his most famous novel sets, The Chronicles of Narnia.
When reading this there is one thing that will stand out among any other biography written about Lewis. It not only talks about Lewis' profound ability to create wonderful stories that can take a person to places that were previously unimagined. But this book also shows the very hard and personal adversity that Lewis had to triumph over in order to create a great world for others that he wishes he could actually be living in.
Doing this not only gives us a better background on Lewis but it makes him more of a personal author by showing that he struggled with some of the same things that we struggle with, and not just a high and mighty man of fiction.
Even with all of the great attributes of this book there was one drawback when reading it. Gormley moves very very slow through his life. I feel that she has included too many useless facts about Lewis that do not give us any insight into his personal life or his writing style and motivation. This not only makes Lewis' life appear to be boring, but it also makes you the reader loose interest at key points in Lewis' life. But all in all if you want to delve into the mind and life of one of the most influential writers of the 19th century this is your book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dymanic and Superb!, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: C. S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller (Men of Spirit) (Paperback)

This book tells the life of one of the greatest storytellers of all time. It tells of his life in step-by-step review in easy wording for the average reader. I find this book extremely touching in many ways. One of these is how spiritually he was in his books. Each having a Christian theme to it. It also tells of his hard lfie in childhood which eventually led him to the Lord. This book recognizes his master pieces such as "The Chronicles of Narnia" and my all time favorite "Perelandra". It show the humble life this man lead and directed to his readers. This book gives a accurate description on his life. The only problem is the "choppyness" (gaps in his life, etc.). But other than that this book holds a spiritual and mental meaning for us all.