Clive Staples Lewis

[biblemonkey]

I very much enjoy the "Screwtape Letters". Lewis shows an amazing insight into the psychology of Christianity and mankind in general. I have always said that if one does not see himself in that book then he isn't very self aware.

[Burly Brute]

If you are watching the film "Shodowlands", you might want to read "Lenten Lands" by Douglas Gresham. He was one of Joy Gresham's two sons.The book is mainly about his life with his mother and Lewis. "Shadowlands" was a good film, but not really that historically accurate.

Keep enjoying Lewis,
Sara

Ya, my professor quotes Gresham quite often. I got a lot out of his "autobiography" Surprised by Joy. Either way, being a night class I am super pumped for a movie! And I am a fan of Anthony Hopkins!

Thanks for the commento!

[Burly Brute]

The stories aren't even the same, particularly with the Dawn Treader movie. The books were written for children but are still great stories.

I admit I haven't read as much of his nonfiction as I should, although Screwtape Letters is a favorite. Some friends and I are reading through Mere Christianity and really enjoying it thus far.

I watched a portion of the first Narnia movie, didn't care for it all that much. I have, however, really enjoyed the book thus far. As well as all his other books, I have enjoyed them all.

[O'Searcaigh]

His The Great Divorce is, I think, an insightful and entertaining look into human nature, irrespective of its particular religiosity.

[Mike_Oettle]

An aspect of Lewis that I found interesting was that he and Tolkien knew each other through their involvement in Old English literature, and that Lewis came to faith not all that long after Tolkien. But whereas Tolkien joined the Roman Catholic Church, Lewis felt more at home as an Anglican.
(I cannot recall offhand what particular denomination he was raised in, if any.)
My own background was in the Free Churches, but on coming to faith (after several years of militant agnosticism) I also found myself at home as an Anglican.
Regards,
Mike

[macwilkin]

An aspect of Lewis that I found interesting was that he and Tolkien knew each other through their involvement in Old English literature, and that Lewis came to faith not all that long after Tolkien. But whereas Tolkien joined the Roman Catholic Church, Lewis felt more at home as an Anglican.
(I cannot recall offhand what particular denomination he was raised in, if any.)
My own background was in the Free Churches, but on coming to faith (after several years of militant agnosticism) I also found myself at home as an Anglican.
Regards,
Mike

...and Tolkein was born in the Orange Free State, Mike!

T.

[Mike_Oettle]

Well, I knew that, Todd. But he barely remembered his time in Bloemfontein. For him, home was Shropshire – the Shire was largely modelled on that county.
It is thought, though, that his Southrons were based on vague recollections of black Africans.
Regards,
Mike

[macwilkin]

Well, I knew that, Todd. But he barely remembered his time in Bloemfontein. For him, home was Shropshire – the Shire was largely modelled on that county.
It is thought, though, that his Southrons were based on vague recollections of black Africans.
Regards,
Mike

I thought you did, Mike, but it just had to be mentioned.

Both Lewis and Tolkein were also veterans of the Western Front.

T.

[thescot]

Gryphon57 and Burly Brute: I agree that his style of science fiction is not my cup of tea; it's very different from the authors you mention who have always been my favorites as well. I mentioned it only to point out the depth and variety of his interests and writings. (Time Enough for Love is a classic, and Lazerus Long is still second only to Travis McGee as a personal hero!)

And--I tred dangerously close to heresy here--I never particularly cared for the Narnia books. I only read them as an adult, so that may be the reason; they're kids' books. In fact, I liked the movies pretty well, but I shall make certain that my grandchildren have copies of the books.

[McClef]

One thing that gets me is that only the first four Narnia books have ever been dramatised (the BBC went as far The Silver Chair back in the 1980s).

It remains to be seen if Disney goes beyond The voyage of the Dawn Treader. I understand that they have the options.

The Magician's Nephew explains how it all came to pass.

The Horse and his Boy was actually written before Silver Chair though was the 6th to be published. It is a story set mostly outside of Narnia after the events of the first book.

The Last Battle contains Lewis's Narnian eschatology and is probably easier for adults to understand than children and can be very dark in places.

Looking how long it took to bring Tolkien's three books to the screen I wonder about the remaining four Narnian chronicles...