The Narnian - Reissue: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis

“The Narnian is thoughtful, intriguing and inspiring—a treasure for Narnia fans, as well as aficionados of fine biography.”—Booklist

The Narnian is unlike other biographies on C. S. Lewis. Author Alan Jacobs seeks a more elusive quarry: an understanding of the way Lewis’s experiences, both direct and literary, formed themselves into patterns―themes that then shaped his thought and writings, especially the stories of Narnia.

Jacobs explores the imagination of C.S. Lewis and the themes and life events that contributed to The Chronicles of Narnia. You’ll read about:

• Lewis’s childhood days in Ireland playing with his brother.
• The horrific experiences of World War I.
• Lewis’s friendships with J. R. R. Tolkien and other members of the “Inklings.”
• His marriage to Joy Davidman.
• Other life experiences that shaped Lewis’s philosophy, theology, and fiction writing.

This biography is for believers and non-believers. As the Minneapolis Star Tribune said, “Jacobs has written a mind-chew of a biography—not only a portrait of a dazzling writer but also a defense of Lewis as a seeker and thinker, a man who embraced and questioned his faith with equal parts pain and zeal.”

“An amiable, uncluttered biography...” - Kirkus Reviews

“...[B]est appreciated by the Narnia enthusiasts seeking to learn more about the man behind the stories.” - Presbyterians Today

“Jacobs has written[...]not only a portrait of a dazzling writer but also a defense of Lewis as a seeker and thinker...” - Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Combines fine scholarship with winsome writing . . . it is an important contribution.” - Books & Culture

“A deeply insightful yet broadly accessible intellectual biography, written in an engaging voice.” - Christianity Today, (a CT Book Award winner)

“The most influential Christian apologist of the last hundred years has found a worthy biographer.” - Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things

“Jacobs provides a fluent and sensible re-telling of the main outlines of Lewis’s life...” - Richard Jenkyns, The New Republic

“It is hard to imagine a more insightful and even-handed treatment of the life and work of Lewis.” - Frederick Buechner, author of Beyond Words

“A book about Lewis that will fascinate even those readers who think they aren’t interested in reading about him.” - Edward Mendelson, author of Early Auden and Later Auden

“An erudite and welcome addition to the C. S. Lewis canon.” - Mary S. Lovell, acclaimed biographer and national bestselling author of The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family

“[Jacobs] provides excellent context by explaining authors and literature that influenced Lewis…his matter-of-fact approach is welcome.” - The Christian Science Monitor

“The Narnian is thoughtful, intriguing and inspiring—a treasure for Narnia fans, as well as aficionados of fine biography.” - Booklist

“This is the book on Lewis we’ve all been waiting for: probing, generous, lyrical and entertaining.” - Charles Marsh, author of The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today