Media Reviews
To the question of whether the world really needs another biography of C. S. Lewis, McGrath's lucid and unsentimental portrait of the Christian champion responds with a resounding yes. The year 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of Lewis's death, and times have changed and evangelical sentiments have matured. McGrath offers a new and at times shocking look into the complicated life of this complex figure, in a deeply researched biography. The author takes us headlong into the heart of a Lewis we've known little about: his unconventional affair with Mrs. Jane Moore; his hostile and deceptive relationship with his father; his curiosity about the sensuality of cruelty. McGrath navigates the reader through these messy themes, ultimately landing us onto the solid ground of Lewis's postconversion legacy. He shows with skill, sympathy, dispassion, and engaging prose that Lewis, like the rest of us, did the best he could with the hand he was dealt. But he got over it, as must all those who would prefer a Lewis without shadows. Publishers Weekly, starred review Many of us thought we knew most of what there was to know about C. S. Lewis. Alister McGrath's new biography makes use of archives and other material that clarify, deepen and further explain the many sides of one of Christianity's most remarkable apologists. This is a penetrating and illuminating study. N. T. Wright Alister McGrath's new biography of C. S. Lewis is excellent. It's filled with information based on extensive scholarship but is nonetheless extremely readable. It not only devotes great attention to the formation and character of Lewis the man, it offers incisive and balanced analyses of all his main literary works. Lewis's impact on me was profound and lasting, and Dr McGrath clearly explains why so many believers and Christians leaders today would say the same thing. Timothy Keller A welcome addition to the biographical literature on C. S. Lewis, which includes several valuable new perspectives. McGrath's book will gain a permanent position in Lewis scholarship for his brilliant and, to my mind, undeniable re-dating of Lewis's conversion to Theism. How we all missed this for so long is astonishing! Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia Alister McGrath sheds new light on the incomparable C. S. Lewis. This is an important book. Eric Metaxas, author of Bonhoeffer There have been plenty of biographies of Lewis - I once wrote one myself - but I do not think there has been a better one than Alister McGrath's. -- A. N. Wilson The Daily Beast This biography is the one Lewis's admirers - especially those who, like him, believe that books are to be read and enjoyed - should prefer to all others. Booklist, starred review If you're looking for a lively, general introduction to this multitalented thinker and writer, Alister McGrath's new biography is a good place to start. The Washington Post Those of us who have been changed for ever by Lewis's introduction to vanished worlds must be grateful for this sympathetic and thorough account. -- Melanie McDonagh The Evening Standard It weaves in a thoughtful, erudite lit-crit appraisal of the writings, plus an unabashed serenade for Lewis's theology -- Peter Stanford The Guardian Not only has McGrath produced a lively and robustly researched work recounting the life of Lewis, he shares his subject's ability to reach out to a popular audience in communicating the message of faith evident in the lives of both. The Church of Scotland: Life and Work Alister McGrath gives us much food for thought in this dutiful, sound and worthy book. http://www.spectator.co.uk/books/8889361/surprised-by-fame/ -- Paul Johnson The Spectator McGrath is a clear-eyed, learned companion. His analysis of the Narnia books is illuminating...it leaves the reader marvelling at the joy and wonder that inhabit the Narnia books:that enchanting glimpse into something beautiful and eternal. The Sunday Telegraph http://www.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk/book-review-c-s-lewis-a-life-by-alister-mcgrath/ As a Lewis fan I found this book compelling, engrossing and illuminating. Certainly a worthy edition to any Lewis collection, and the perfect contribution to understanding the man in this, the fiftieth anniversary of his death. Aslan Christian Books Scrupulously researched and accesible to the general reader... Dr McGrath is able to add to the story much compelling detail on how and why Lewis is a source of religious inspiration to millions. -- Christopher Gray The Oxford Times Did a round up of all of the other reviews as opposed to an actual review New Stateman McGrath's illuminating book has benefited from access to recently released archive material that throws new light on Lewis's unconventional affair with Irish divorcee Jane Moore, his life at Oxford and his conversion to Christianity The Lady McGrath is a clear eyed and learned companion. His analysis of the Narnia books is illuminating... it leaves the reader marvelling at the joy and wonder that inhabit the Narnia books: that enchanted glimpse into something beautiful and eternal -- Philip Womack Irish Independent Interview with McGrath on Aslan Christian Books: http://www.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk/alister-mcgrath-on-c-s-lewis/ Aslan Christian Books The definitive biography of an influencial writer whose star burns far brighter now than it ever did in his lifetime -- In the Must Reads section The Mail on Sunday Alister McGrath writing on Why C. S. Lewis created Narnia on We Love This Book http://www.welovethisbook.com/features/why-cs-lewis-created-narnia We Love This Book http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/review-cs-lewis-a-life-by-alistair-mcgrath-8612245.html But, as McGrath's compelling narrative shows, the writer's life is often just as interesting as his work, whatever C S Lewis might have said. -- Matthew Bell The Independent Mr McGrath's clear, methodical biography is intended as a work of analysis rather than synopsis. Much of the story has been told before, not least by A.N. Wilson in 1990. But it is a story that bears retelling, partly because of the continuing interest in various aspects of Lewis's character, and partly because his personal life was so eccentric, not to say odd. The Economist http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/books/book-review-cs-lewis-a-life-by-alister-mcgrath-1-2919444 A RE-ISSUE of the Evening Standard review The Scotsman One comes away with a renewed sympathy for a provocatice, perceptive, contrarian and somewhat tormented soul. -- Tom Shippey The Wall Street Journal This is a brisk, efficient and readable book that isn't afraid to make judgements. Alister McGrath's caustic reassessment of Davidman is especially welcome after the saccharine twaddle of Shadowlands. If someone wants to write a real good play, they might consider the moment when Davidman, now safely married to Lewis, tried to get her hands on his house, only to find out that he was merely a life tenant in the property which was to revert to Mrs Moore's daughter after Lewis's death - A fact she refused to believe - A problem of pain, indeed. -- Jon Gilbert The Literary Review The Guardian review: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/08/lewis-genius-prophet-mcgrath-review -- Sam Leith The Guardian Not only has McGrath produced a lively and robustly researched work recounting the life of Lewis, he shares his subject's ability to reach out to a popular audience in communicating the message of faith evident in the lives of both. Life and Work (Church of Scotland) McGrath has writen a key book on Lewis -- Paul Richardson The Church of England http://stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=mcgrath Stuck in a book http://acommonreader.org/lewis-life-mcgrath/ This is altogether a very fine book and a welcome addition A Common Reader . org Lucid, well-researched and timely new life of this extraordinary man. Good Book Guide McGrath is not intimidated by Lewis nor overly reverential of him; but he shows him a professional respect that ought to silence those who dismiss Lewis as a theological amateur. -- Raymond Edwards The Tablet A finely balanced book which allows Lewis' works to speak for themselves. -- Phillip Womack Belfast Telegraph Nobody is better qualified than Alister McGrath to write this masterly book -- Paul Hulme The Methodist Recorder Alister McGrath provides an accessible account of the life... his book is a sympathetic portrait that concentrates primarily on the Christian apologetics London Review of Books This is a through and engaging biography that attempts to remove the veneer often applied to C. S. Lewis' life out of reverence for his work -- LBJ Christianity http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article1275683.ece Diligently researched, densely footnoted, helpfully illustrated and solemnly crafted biography. McGrath is ingenious and persuasive The Times Literary Supplement McGrath's account of Lewis offers much that is fresh and new. It captures him in his eccentricities, abilities, strengths and perplexities... Alister McGrath's biography of C.S. Lewis is one of the most beautiful volumes ever held. Photos, research, insight and challenge are all powerfully combined. You will feel yourself to be all the more in the company of a legend. This is a memorable 400 page masterpiece. Together Magazine This work ticks all the boxes by being beautifully written, merticulously researched as well as illuminating and thought provoking. The NEWSpaper Alister Mcgrath's magisterial biography... If you only read one of two books this year, choose this one. -- Amy Boucher Pye Woman Alive A new and at times shocking look into the complicated life of this complex figure. The Bookseller McGrath's account of his life adds fresh energy, meaningful brilliance and maverick eccentricity. This is one of the most beautiful volumes ever held. Photos, research, insight and challenge are all powerfully combined. Hodder are to be congratulated on this. Here you'll feel yourself to be all the more in the company of the legendary and unique CS Lewis. This is a memorable 400-page masterpiece. Stunning five-star stuff! -- Johnny Douglas Together Magazine I found this biography absorbing ... In Lewis we find that rare combination of a very fertile imagination matched by tight logic. -- Jonathon Fletcher Evangelics Now A knowledgable and insightful account of the life...McGrath has condensed a large amount of material into this very readable and full account. ' The Catholic Herald Narnia's Lost Poet: The Secret Lives and Loves of CS Lewis Ft Alister McGrath- http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03jrw5j/Narnias_Lost_Poet_The_Secret_Lives_and_Loves_of_CS_Lewis/ BBC 4 TV documentary McGrath's account can be warmly recommended to anyone who wants a sympathetic, factually based, and balanced biography. He has read all the correspondence in order, and his scientifically trained mind leads him to question Lewis's account in some places- for example, on the date of his conversion. -- The Rt Revd the Lord Harries of Pentregarth The Church Times
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