C.S. Lewis’ Life Shaped the World of Narnia

World renowned Christian theologian, historian, biochemist and professor Alister McGrath has written a new book on the life of C.S. Lewis called, C.S. Lewis – A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet.

I was born in the late 80’s so I grew up with my Dad reading to my brother and me the Narnia books. It wasn’t long after that the movies started coming out. I think it would be fair to say my earliest childhood memories of an author I particularly liked was C.S. Lewis. Why? Narnia.

Around the age of 17 I discovered that Lewis had a plethora of other books and so I started digging into all of them. Several years later and here I am, I’ve read most of Lewis’ books and yet I know nothing of the man who wrote the compelling stories I grew up reading. Until now.

I am tremendously thankful for Alister McGrath’s biography, C.S. Lewis – A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. While there is much I could say about this book, I want to highlight one important element that is interweaved throughout. C.S. Lewis’ life as a young boy growing up in Ireland, his rough relationship with his father, his disappointments in school and his separation from his brother, to name a few, all shaped the world of Narnia. It’s fascinating to read; I had always wondered where the inspiration from the world of Narnia came from and now I know. From a young age Lewis had an imagination unparalleled to most in his day and most today. It was the mountains and valleys in his life, his friendships and heartaches that formed the world of Narnia. As I read through the book I was gripped by the ability McGrath has to communicate the very heart of Lewis. In McGrath’s exhaustive efforts to put this book together, he shows his love for the man while displaying his faults and shortcomings in a loving and honest manner.

For those who share a similar story to me, and I know there are many, I’d encourage you to buy this biography to learn of one of the greatest Christian minds to walk this earth and to be brought into the magical mind that created the world of Narnia.