author: Laura Miller
name: Elaine
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2009/07/30
date added: 2009/08/10
shelves: biography, fantasy, history, religion, writing
review:
Best book I’ve read in a long time. Re-examination of the Chronicles of Narnia by a woman about my age, who was in love with them as a child, then horrified to discover the Christian elements. Ranges all over through the books themselves, Lewis’s biography, the author’s own psychology, the Tolkien connection, and so on, and so on. Gave me a lot to think about from my own youthful readings of Narnia. (Over and over and over.) I think I discovered the Christian stuff about the same age that she did, but my reaction (initially) was quite different. Mom bought me a glossary (?) of Narnia, and I was fascinated trying to work out the symbolism, like a puzzle. Not that I was especially converted (that’s a long story), but I liked the idea of a story inside the story. Also greatly appreciated the little quotes; had forgotten how lovely Lewis’s writing could be.