REVIEW: C.S. Lewis wins the hearts of most
C.S. Lewis is one of those writers I have never heard anything negative about. Some people may love a book while others hate it, but I do not know of anyone who hates C.S. Lewis. He is frequently quoted by prominent leaders, and his prose is so simple anyone can read him.
In addition to reviewing his most famous accomplishment “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, I will review another work so powerful I have never read anything else like it. “The Screwtape Letters” is just one of those books you still think about years after you’ve finished reading it.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia’
Almost everyone has either seen the movie or heard of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” but the entire series is worth reading.
Each book tells its own unique story separate from the rest, but in a way that keeps you falling for the characters again and again.
The series centers around the magical land of Narnia, where animals talk and the land is ruled by a kind but wise lion named Aslan.
Though many speculate about the Christian symbolism of the sacrifice of Aslan in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” even those not of a Christian faith can appreciate the well-developed story of Narnia.
The most recognized book in the series is actually not the first one, chronologically. Lewis wrote “The Magician’s Nephew,” as a prequel to the rest, and sets the scene for when characters — who are all siblings — Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy arrive.
All four siblings are only in two of the books together, with only Edmund and Lucy appearing in a third.
This is why they made the movies out of the original order, because they need to make the ones with those actors and actresses involved before they grow too old.
I love how simply Lewis wrote. “The Chronicles of Narnia” is written as a series of children’s books, but adults can enjoy them just as much.
Just like J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling, Lewis creates a magical land worth fantasizing about, as long as the evil white witch isn’t around of course. Each and every one of these books is worth reading, and they are all so short you can finish one in a couple hours and move right on to the next.
The Screwtape Letters
This book boggled my mind when I first read it. Usually the fight between good and evil is told from the righteous perspective, not from the dark side, but that is exactly what makes the book so effective.
Not only is it unique, but the psychology behind it is eerily truthful.
“The Screwtape Letters” is a correspondence between two servants of Satan — Wormwood and Screwtape.
Wormwood is a devil in training, and Screwtape is writing him with advice on how to tempt his first human subject into leaving the good path to commit sin.
I was utterly creeped out as I read this book. Thinking about devils and Satan normally isn’t appealing, but it is so fascinating that I couldn’t stop reading.
Lewis knew humans so well when he wrote this book. He knew our weaknesses, strengths and sources of power. He also knew how easily tempted we can be.
I also loved how this book is so straightforward. Lewis doesn’t spend any time preaching about religion or sin, he just presents a simple scenario and lets the reader learn what they will.
There is no narrator projecting opinion or insight, just letters between two people, well — not really people. The book forces you to think about your own life, without shoving meaning in your face.
Lewis is one of those authors everyone must read in order to be truly literate. He was extraordinary without trying to be, and that is something I love about him.
He just tells a simple story loaded with meaning but leaves it up to you to find your own way through it.
Lewis is the flawless writer, the unique storyteller and the one who brings us back to what literature should be about — just a good story that may have some meaning tucked away inside.
– Kellyn is the features editor for The Statesman, and she’s a senior majoring in English. Her column runs every other Friday. She loves reading both her Kindle and paperback novels and can be reached at kellyn.neumann@aggiemail.usu.edu