“The A-Z of C.S. Lewis” by Colin Duriez Book Review

By Ruth on March 16, 2014 in book, review
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The A-Z of C S Lewis: A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and WritingsThe A-Z of C S Lewis: A Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings by Colin Duriez

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would call this book review rather mixed. Mostly, I can recommend this book. It has an incredible amount of information about C.S. Lewis, and it does assume that you are basically familiar with him and his writings. The book is not to be read as a biography or pleasure reading. This is an expanded dictionary, and it is a reference book. You can basically find any information you need about this Christian author, and I discovered much new information. I now long to read some of C.S. Lewis’s writings with which I am not familiar.

My complaint is that in the author’s brevity, I believe sometimes things were not written using the most careful language so as not to be misunderstood. I believe that when one tries to reconcile all of C.S. Lewis’s writings, one will definitely struggle. He was a Christian whose faith continued to evolve over time. Just like with any growing Christian, what is believed at the beginning of the journey may not be the same as what is believed in subsequent years. I do not believe a Christian can be an agnostic, and I also don’t believe that a true Christian will discount a literal heaven. Those are just a couple of the exceptions I would take with this volume. But in the end, the author accomplished his purpose. I am intrigued by C.S. Lewis more than I ever was, and I am already attempting to decide what I will read by Lewis next!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

a z lewisA Complete Guide to His Life, Thoughts and Writings

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis’s death, this complete guide covers all of Lewis’ works, from his literary criticism to Narnia

C. S. Lewis’s work is widely known and regarded, but enthusiasts are often only aware of one part of his work—his children’s stories and his popular theology; and yet he wrote so much more, including science fiction and literary criticism. This volume brings together all aspects of C S Lewis’s life and thought. Arranged in alphabetical order, it begins with The Abolition of Man—written in 1943 and described as “almost my favorite”—to Wormwood, a character in The Screwtape Letters. This book will delight anyone who is interested in C. S. Lewis and wants to learn more about him, his thought, his works, and his life.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

C DuriezColin Duriez was for many years a commissioning editor at Inter-Varsity Press UK. He has subsequently appeared as a commentator on DVDs of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, and BBC television’s The Worlds of Fantasy. He is also the author of “The Inklings Handbook” (with the late David Porter), “J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Story of Their Friendship,” and “Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings,” and has contributed to definitive reference works relating to Tolkien such as “The Tolkien Encyclopedia” (Routledge).

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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

12 Comments

  1. The Blazing Home September 18, 2017 Reply

    What an inspirational character he is! almost all of his books are read by me. Your review is also good.
    Thank you for sharing this.

  2. Robin Creager June 26, 2017 Reply

    I have always been intrigued by C.S Lewis and his books. This book I have not read as of yet. I’ll have to put this one down on my wish list.

  3. Shakeia Rieux September 9, 2016 Reply

    I haven’t read any of his books but this sounds like a very interesting one.

  4. Jodi Hunter April 10, 2016 Reply

    I have read almost all his books, thanks for this amazing review.

  5. Barrie November 1, 2015 Reply

    Sounds like an interesting read. CS Lewis was a talented author and it’d be good to read more about him.

  6. Anne Marie Carter July 9, 2015 Reply

    This is a great review of this book. C.S. Lewis is such an interesting person, and a book about he and his writings is wonderful.

  7. william gossage June 4, 2015 Reply

    this sound like a great book to read

  8. william gossage April 20, 2015 Reply

    I all way like c.s. lewis books

  9. Jane Ritz March 15, 2015 Reply

    I haven’t read any of his books.You have written a fantastic review.

  10. Debra Holloway October 15, 2014 Reply

    I am not fond of his writings. He is to vague and not really interesting to me. His writing is definitely male oriented.

  11. Rita Spratlen July 10, 2014 Reply

    I have tried to read some of his writings and it isn’t easy to comprehend for sure. I want to know what he has to say but it takes a lot of thinking for sure. Thanks for your review.

  12. Kate C April 18, 2014 Reply

    Lovely review.

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