Product Description

Published in the early 1950s, C. S. Lewis′s seven Chronicles of Narnia were proclaimed instant children′s classics and have been hailed in The Oxford Companion to Children′s Literature as "the most sustained achievement in fantasy for children by a 20th–century author." But how could Lewis (a formidable critic, scholar, and Christian apologist)conjure up the kind of adventures in which generations of children (and adults) take such delight? In this engaging and insightful book, C. S. Lewis expert David C. Downing invites readers to join his vivid exploration of the Chronicles of Narnia, offering a detailed look at the enchanting stories themselves and also focusing on the extraordinary intellect and imagination of the man behind the Wardrobe.

Downing presents each Narnia book as its own little wardrobe – each tale an opportunity to discover a visionary world of bustling vitality, sparkling beauty, and spiritual clarity. And Downing′s examination of C. S. Lewis′s personal life shows how the content of these classic children′s books reflects Lewis′s love of wonder and story, his affection for animals and homespun things, his shrewd observations about human nature, along with his vast reading, robust humor, theological speculations, medieval scholarship, and arcane linguistic jokes. A fun glossary of odd and invented words will allow readers to speak with Narnian flair, regaling friends and family with unusual words like cantrips, poltoonery, hastilude, and skirling. A masterful work that will appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Narnia, Into the Wardrobe offers a journey beyond Narnia′s deceptively simple surface and into its richly textured and unexpected depths.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #382210 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
“…in this volume, C.S.Lewis’ biography is given concisely, yet thoroughly…before you go to the movies this winter to see the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, read this book…” (The Eternal Night, 13^th December 2005).

“…a masterful work that will appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Narnia, ‘Into the Wardrobe’ offers a journey beyond Narnia’s deceptively simple surface and into its richly textured and unexpected depths.” (www.eden.co.uk, 13^th December 2005)

“…fluent and mature…” (Church Times, 9^th December 2005)

Review
“…in this volume, C.S.Lewis’ biography is given concisely, yet thoroughly…before you go to the movies this winter to see the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, read this book…” (The Eternal Night, 13^th December 2005).

“…a masterful work that will appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Narnia, ‘Into the Wardrobe’ offers a journey beyond Narnia’s deceptively simple surface and into its richly textured and unexpected depths.” (www.eden.co.uk, 13^th December 2005)

“…fluent and mature…” (Church Times, 9^th December 2005)

"...short but scholarly..." (Books for Keeps, March 2006)

From the Inside Flap
Into the Wardrobe

Published in the early 1950s, C. S. Lewis′s seven Chronicles of Narnia were proclaimed instant children′s classics and have been hailed in The Oxford Companion to Children′s Literature as "the most sustained achievement in fantasy for children by a 20th–century author." But how could Lewis—a formidable critic, scholar, and Christian apologist—conjure up the kind of adventures in which generations of children (and adults) take such delight? In this engaging and insightful book, C. S. Lewis expert David C. Downing in–vites readers to join his vivid exploration of the Chronicles of Narnia, offering a detailed look at the enchanting stories themselves and also focusing on the extraordinary intellect and imagination of the man behind the Wardrobe.

Downing presents each Narnia book as its own little wardrobe—each tale an opportunity to discover a visionary world of bustling vitality, sparkling beauty, and spiritual clarity. And Downing′s examination of C. S. Lewis′s personal life shows how the content of these classic children′s books reflects Lewis′s love of wonder and story, his affection for animals and homespun things, his shrewd observations about human nature, along with his vast reading, robust humor, theological speculations, medieval scholarship, and arcane linguistic jokes. A fun glossary of odd and invented words will allow readers to speak with Narnian flair, regaling friends and family with unusual words such as cantrips, poltroonery, hastilude, and skirling. This masterful work will appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Narnia, extending the journey beyond Narnia′s deceptively simple surface and into its richly textured and unexpected depths.