Customer Reviews

C. S. Lewis on Joy

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book specifically:

C. S. Lewis is a very rich and rewarding author, and joy rests as one of the central elements in his thought, and one of the major components of his conversion. A scholarly volume should be written exploring this whole avenue of Lewis. This thoughts on joy and its implications to humanity touchs almost everything he has ever written. Little books like these cannot capture the magnitude of this central theme in the works of C. S. Lewis. The importance to this theme cannot be overstated when regarding Lewis, and it also explains much of what makes literature in general and myth (in the Tolkien and Lewis sense) in specific so important, because it creates a longing that can only be satisfied in Christ. Go elsewhere to gain understanding of this spiritual yearning that shows up not only in Lewis but in so much of art, even in naturalistic works such as SISTER CARRIE.

These four books in general:

The central problem I have with these four little volumes, although I must confess to having only seen (and bought) one, rests in the fact they are very short, they do injustice to Lewis's thoughts on the subjects simply because the selection is not wide enough, and, especially on Grief, A GRIEF OBESERVED works so much better as a healing and theraputic book than this little tome ever could. If you're going to get into C. S. Lewis's thought, even if only a sampler, get something like THE BUSINESS OF HEAVEN or THE ESSENTIAL C. S. LEWIS or THE QUOTABLE LEWIS? Items like these characterize the industy that has grown up around C. S. Lewis: all sorts of merchandise is being published cashing in on Lewis and his life -- with Hooper largely at the back of it. If you want a novelty item (which is all this will ever be) or just a little gift I guess you could buy these, but why not spend a little more and buy a real C. S. Lewis book? They're so much richer!

Mike London

Yes, of course these little exerpts do not do Lewis justice; this is a gift book of sorts. It isn't intended to replace reading his actual books. But each little essay is a gem...you can read one a day in 2 minutes and it will give you food for thought for the rest of the day. It will also inspire and motivate you to go read the full text from which the essay was taken. All four books are absolutely wonderful and they are an excellent way to introduce a friend to CS Lewis. They are also excellent gifts to give when a friend is dealing with one of the four topics the books cover; grief, faith, joy, or love. I have sent this books to many friends when they are dealing with one of those issues, and each time the friend is very moved by C.S. Lewis' insights.

I admire C.S. Lewis, the fact that he came to know Christ, after being an atheist. However, I agree with the previous review that this book does not do Lewis justice in that it only represents small outtakes of his thoughts/writings. There are some sections in the book that you can take to heart, like enjoying the simpler things in life, like nature, that God created for us to enjoy. If you like quick reads, pick this up, but do not expect much.