From Publishers Weekly
Known details of the Christian apologist's life, a veritable Freudian case history, appear along with fresh insights about his Oxford circle, the Inklings, and his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien. "Wilson, though attuned to psychoanalytic theory, avoids reductionist psychobiography in this absorbing, intimate portrait of a secretive figure," said PW. Photos. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
More probing than the affectionate biographies now available, this is a welcome addition to Lewis studies. Author of the acclaimed Tolstoy (LJ 8/88), Wilson renders yet another extraordinary but thoroughly human life. His Lewis is no "plaster saint." Extremely reticent about his life and canonized by devotees since his death, Lewis was a unique challenge to the biographer. Wilson adeptly considers each of Lewis's books in the context of the life and reveals how the writer came to realize the importance of the imagination in Christian faith. Lewis's conversion to Christianity, his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, and his work on the Narnia books are presented insightfully. Recommended.- Kathleen Norris, Lemmon P.L., S.D.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Leon Edel
I know of no modern biographer who equals Wilson's delicacy of touch and sensitivity to human quandaries. An astonishing book.


New York Review of Books
The mixture presented in Wilson's biography of the life of learning...of domestic drama and bad temper, religion, and sex, is irresistible.


Book Description
A subtle and poignant portrayal of the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia. Brilliant. Agnostic. Prejudiced. Gregarious. Bullying. Loyal friend. Heavy drinker. One of the most learned scholars of his generation. A controversial Christian apologist. Author of a children's fantasy that has sold millions upon millions of copies. And, after his death, almost a cult figure. C. S. Lewis was an incredibly complicated man, and, as revealed in this splendid biography, a mystery to those who knew him best. 8 pages of b/w illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A subtle and poignant portrayal of the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia. Brilliant. Agnostic. Prejudiced. Gregarious. Bullying. Loyal friend. Heavy drinker. One of the most learned scholars of his generation. A controversial Christian apologist. Author of a children's fantasy that has sold millions upon millions of copies. And, after his death, almost a cult figure. C. S. Lewis was an incredibly complicated man, and, as revealed in this splendid biography, a mystery to those who knew him best. 8 pages of b/w illustrations.

Author Biography: Author of several biographies, including Tolstoy, Jesus, and Paul, A. N. Wilson lives in London.

FROM THE CRITICS

Leon Edel

I know of no modern biographer who equals Wilson's delicacy of touch and sensitivity to human quandaries. An astonishing book.

New York Review of Books