Together in one special volume, selections from the best of beloved, bestselling author c. It is warmly recommended to anyone with an interest in lewis scholarship, the reception of texts, and the intersection of philosophy, literature, and religion. While he was quite young, his mother died of cancer but the stiff upper lip in favour at the time meant he wasnt allowed to grieve. Lewis was a prolific irish writer and scholar best known for his chronicles of narnia fantasy series and his prochristian texts. Lewis is perhaps best known for his series of childrens fantasies, the chronicles of narnia. Its shrewd approach and luminous imagery retain much of their power to excite and. His novels generally have christian themes, and his best known work includes the the chronicles of narnia series including the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe and the space trilogy novels, a science fiction series.
Lewis societies exist around the world, including one which was founded in oxford in 1982. Mere christianity is one of lewis most insightful books as well as one of his most difficult. Lewiss answer to the question, what books did most to. The beloved christian apologists best books range beyond the chronicles of narnia. Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about. Lewis society at the university of oxford meets at pusey house during term time to discuss papers on the life and works of lewis and the other inklings, and generally appreciate all things lewisian. Late in life lewis married joy davidman gresham, an american who had become a christian in part through reading lewiss books. It is the least popular of his novels but the most highly praised by literary critics. Lewis clive stales lewis was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. According to lewis himself, chestertons popular apologetical work, the everlasting man, was a key influence in his conversion from atheism.
He is known for his work on medieval literature and for his christian apologetics and fiction, especially the chronicles of narnia. Lewis signature classics contains his seven most popular works mere christianity, the screwtape letters, miracles, the great divorce, the problem of pain, a grief observed, and the abolition of man. Career as a writer of fiction in addition to his scholarly work, lewis wrote a number of popular novels, including his sciencefiction space trilogy, his fantasy narnia books, and various other novels, most containing allegories on christian themes such as sin, the fall, and redemption. C s lewis books biography and list of works author of. Browse a complete collection of his books, sign up for a monthly enewsletter, find additional resources, and more. Dec 10, 2010 this collectionwhich contains 24 snapshots of lewis from friends, colleagues, and studentsis full of color, humor, and human interest. Completed in february 195420 and published by bodley head in london on 2 may 1955, the prequel the magicians nephew brings the reader back to the origins of narnia where we learn how aslan creat. Clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963 was a british writer and lay theologian. Lewis quotes on facebook, instagram and twitter, one might.
One of the young soldiers with his back to the wall was second lieutenant clive staples lewis. He held academic positions in english literature at both oxford university magdalen college, 19251954 and cambridge university magdalene college, 19541963. C s lewis biography and list of works c s lewis books. From childrens books to science fiction, from apologetics to poetry, lewis skilled and inspiring words continue to bring hope and light to a dark world. What sets us apart is our ability to customize highly creative media campaigns tailored to the needs, personality, and professional goals of each individual client.
To date, the narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures. Lewis was quiet popular when he was alive, but its hard to argue that he isnt more wellknown now. To be a christian means to forgive the inexcusable because god has forgiven the inexcusable in. Lewis was an irish author and scholar, born into a protestant family in belfast, though mostly resident in england. If you have read many of lewis works, you will observe that he set up several letters. Downing, elizabethtown college, usa introduction david werther, university of wisconsinextension, usa 1. I have never helped to organize youth, and while young myself i successfully avoided being organized.
Come with me on a tour of your library or bookstore. The discarded image 1964 a scene in prince caspian sees eustace objecting to ramandu as a. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity brings together what lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion. Lewis s list brings together experts on each of the ten books to discuss their significance for lewis s life and work, illuminating his own writing through those he most admired.
Each of these is central to the unfolding of the plot, and yet none are constant through all 7 of the books. The ultimate measure of a storys size is its wordcount, however, so the literary geeks here at foster grant have put together a list of many of the most popular books and short stories in history for you. The revered teacher and bestselling author of such classic christian works as mere christianity and the screwtape letters, c. His books have crossed over from country to country, generation to generation, and. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include mere christianity, out of the silent planet, the great divorce, the screwtape letters, and the universally acknowledged classics the chronicles of narnia. His philosophical writings are widely cited by christian apologists from many denominations. Scholar, poet, christian apologist, fiction writer, and essayist, c. Without a doubt, this set of seven fantasy novels is one the most popular of lewiss works, having sold well over 100 million copies in 47 different languagesthe. Clive staples lewis november 29, 1898 november 22, 1963, commonly referred to as c.
It is for priests to teach me, not for me to teach them. Lewis continues to inspire all christians through his essays and novels. But the famed chronicler of narnia had many contemporaries who were equally deft with words, wit and wisdom, and whose work would be a suitable addition to any reader looking to add to their collection of spiritual writings. Dec 23, 2005 john mullan salutes cs lewis s narrative drive and reveals the skill behind the quaintness of his dialogue john mullan fri 23 dec 2005 19. This is a collection of essays on ten books that lewis said when asked in 1962 had the most influence on his life. While lewis has written a commendable list of works, the chronicles of narnia remain the most popular. Besides the narnia series, his novels mere christianity, the screwtape. Geology, botany, politics, or astronomy, we found that its implications were hindu, that would shake us. Studying with kirkpatrick the great knock, as lewis afterward called him instilled in him a love.
Only harry potter has outsold these wellloved books 85 million copies. It is not the books written in direct defense of materialism that make the modern man a materialist. Bringing together lewis legendary broadcast talks during world war two from his three previous books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality, mere christianity provides an unequaled. Lewiss classic works for readers contemplating the grand. Lewis has become the most beloved of all modern christian authors. Set in the magical realm of the same name, it tells the tale of mythical beasts, talking animals, and various children. Aug 03, 2017 the number of pages also doesnt help much, as publishers use different typefaces, page sizes, font sizes, etc. As we step through the door, let me tell you briefly how i started to read lewis. The recommended version of this work includes the preface to the third edition. Lewis served as a fellow and tutor in english literature at oxford university until. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of christian faith stand together. Lewis wrote more than 30 books which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies. Christian apologetics by cs lewis 1945 virtueonline.
When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears. The book buyer in you is fortunate in the fact that most of lewiss books are in paperback. Lewis was born in 1898 and brought up in a very strict, religious household. Jul 11, 20 mere christianity harperone still one of the finest and most widely read explanations and defenses of the faith. A book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Lewis clive staples lewis, privat auch jack genannt. Dec 05, 2005 cs lewis s seven childrens books, the chronicles of narnia, will be with us now and for many christmases to come. He is best known for his works of fiction, especially the screwtape letters, the chronicles of narnia, and the space trilogy, and. C s lewis biography clive staples lewis 29 november 1898 22 november 1963, commonly referred to as c. He adopted the name jack, which is how he was known to his friends and acquaintances. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. Yet lewis was one of the most popular and respected christian authors of the 20th century. The books that make up the chronicles of narnia have sold the most and have been popularised on stage, tv, radio, and cinema. Lewis writer, poet, scholar, christian apologist, oxford professor, and theologian continues to be remembered as one of the most quoted and wellknown authors of all time.
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