Into the Wardrobe: C. S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles

Praise for Into the Wardrobe "[Into the Wardrobe] will be best enjoyed by fans who have read the entire series, but those who haven′t may be so impressed by Downing′s exploration of Lewis′s deep and sophisticated imagination that they will sneak ′into the wardrobe′ and devour the Chronicles for themselves." —Publishers Weekly "Everyone who has enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia and anyone who is interested in the writings of C.S. Lewis must read this excellent work?Downing helps the reader understand how the Chronicles reflect not only Lewis′s towering intellect, but also his strong faith and his sensitive heart." —Armand Nicholi, M.D., author, The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life "Like his previous studies of Lewis′s life and writings, Into the Wardrobe proves again that Downing is a master at weaving essential facts and fresh insights into a smooth narrative?a balanced and satisfying guide for either experienced or first–time readers of Narnia." —Robert Trexler, editor, CSL: The Bulletin of the New York C. S. Lewis Society "With lucidity and uncommon good sense, David Downing offers a guide to the Narnia Chronicles that will deepen the reader′s appreciation of these perennial favorites while illuminating the origins of Narnia in Lewis′s life and work." —John Wilson, editor, Books & Culture "What David C. Downing does so well is give us lenses through which Lewis′s myriad works come into sharp focus, revealing the convictions, insights, scholarship, experience, and questions that shaped the man who brought us Narnia." —Jeffrey Overstreet, film critic, Christianity Today and LookingCloser.org "David Downing′s sprightly study of the Narnia Chronicles provides readers with a fresh interpretation of Lewis′s children′s books?Read and rejoice." —Ralph C. Wood, University Professor of Theology and Literature, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and author, The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle–Earth

A C. S. Lewis Time Line. Introduction: The Child as Father of the Man. 1. The Life of C. S. Lewis. 2. The Genesis of Narnia. 3. The Spiritual Vision of the Narnia Chronicles. 4. Moral Psychology. 5. Classical and Medieval Elements. 6. What’s in a Narnian Name? 7. Lewis’s Literary Artistry. Appendix: Definitions, Allusions, and Textual Notes. Notes. Bibliography. Acknowledgments. The Author. Index.

David C. Downing is a leading C. S. Lewis expert, award–winning author, and professor of English at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His articles about Lewis have appeared in such publications as Christianity Today , Christianity and Literature , Books & Culture , Christian Scholars Review , and numerous other journals. His books include Planets in Peril , about the Space Trilogy; The Most Reluctant Convert , a biography of Lewis that was named one of the Top Ten Religion Books of the Year by the American Library Association; and Into the Region of Awe , a study of the mystical elements in Lewis′s life and writings.

“…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)