
C. S. Lewis: Writer, Scholar, Seeker
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Narrated by:
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Sørina Higgins
About this listen
Although his career is much richer and more varied than a single series of tales for children, Clive Staples (C. S.) Lewis is perhaps best-known for his beloved fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. Born in Belfast near the end of the 19th century, Lewis had a difficult childhood and lived through the devastation of two world wars. Yet, his work most often celebrates joy, optimism, and spiritual meaning, rather than dwelling on the darkness he had experienced.
In C. S. Lewis: Writer, Scholar, Seeker, Dr. Sørina Higgins will take you on a fascinating expedition through the life and work of this influential author, examining the crucial events and relationships that shaped his personal, literary, and spiritual journeys. As you’ll see, while Lewis holds a special place in the canon of modern fantasy literature—along with his friend and colleague J. R. R. Tolkien—the fantastic was not his only interest. His wide-ranging imagination and constant curiosity led him to write everything from religious essays to science fiction while also pursuing his career as an Oxford fellow and tutor and literary scholar. As you trace Lewis’ life from his unhappy days at boarding school to his final years, Dr. Higgins will spotlight the connections between his lived experience and the creation of his work, illuminating the ways his literary efforts reflected his personal pursuit of meaning and connection.
The story of Lewis’ life and literary achievements is one of both historical specificity and timeless, eternal themes. Though Lewis was certainly a man of his times and subject to many of the biases and restrictions of his era, as Dr. Higgins highlights, he never stopped growing and embracing new ways of thinking. And today, more than half a century after his death, his work lives on, entertaining and enlightening new generations of readers all over the world.
©2023 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.
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A Lot of Insight into Lewis and His Works
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Fantastic background on C.S. Lewis
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Didn’t make me sleepy
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Straight Forward Criticism and Love
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Fairhanded and fun
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Clear, Comprehensive, Concise Scholarship
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The first two lectures (don't be turned off by the word "lecture," as Sørina has a conversational tone, making it seem like she is talking to just you) provides the key details about Lewis's life and shines the spotlight on Narnia (as this is the most familiar work by Lewis). The remaining four talks primarily addresses his other writings as follows: 1. Christian-themed, 2. Theological Fiction, 3. The Ransom Cycle, and 4. Literary Criticism. Bits of biographical elements are also provided in each of these sections.
Only two very minor criticisms: If it could be longer, then I wish she would cover more of Lewis's shorter works (essays) and having a PDF of the various authors and works she mentioned would have also been nice.
Masterful Presentation About Lewis!
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Definitely worth a listen!
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The logical sequence.
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I am old enough to start reading fairy tails again!
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