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Rating: Summary: Letters from a Gracious Man Review: Every time I read another book by C.S. Lewis I become more grateful for his life and his writings. This book is a gem, and a wonderful window into Lewis' soul. He answers these children's letters with self-effacing grace and humor, and with a sincere respect for their opinions and their dignity. While being a great writer has no particular connection with being a good person, this book is, to me, irresistable evidence of Lewis' personal goodness. The Angler (as he once referred to God in "Surprised by Joy") snared a fine specimen when he snared the soul of C.S. Lewis.
Rating: Summary: Letters from a Gracious Man Review: Every time I read another book by C.S. Lewis I become more grateful for his life and his writings. This book is a gem, and a wonderful window into Lewis' soul. He answers these children's letters with self-effacing grace and humor, and with a sincere respect for their opinions and their dignity. While being a great writer has no particular connection with being a good person, this book is, to me, irresistable evidence of Lewis' personal goodness. The Angler (as he once referred to God in "Surprised by Joy") snared a fine specimen when he snared the soul of C.S. Lewis.
Rating: Summary: "yours ever... C.S. Lewis" Review: It is said that as regularly as the mail arrived, professor Lewis sat down at his desk and personally responded... even if the correspondents were little children who had come to know of him through his Narnia books. In fact, he felt it was his God-given duty to do so! "C.S. Lewis: Letters to Children" is a collection of these heartfelt responses, spanning nearly 20 years (1944-1963). Lewis's own direct contact with children was limited. He once said, "I theoretically hold that one ought to like children, but am shy with them in practice." (Letter to Arthur Greeves, Dec.'35). And in his "The Abolition of Man" he says (chap.1, para.11) "I myself do not enjoy the society of small children... I recognize this as a defect in myself." What he may have lacked in direct contact with children he certainly seems to have displaced with these personal letters, in which we see a lofty Oxford academic who is able to freely converse with children about such diverse topics as (of all things) Zoroastrianism, cats, the Gauls, Virgilian hexameter, the Renaissance, and his opinion that human faces are much easier to draw than animal faces. Never does he talk DOWN to his younger "friends". He usually signs off with an affectionate "yours ever"! And often he sprinkles a question or two of his own in a letter, which, rather than dismissing the sender, invites a response, showing he values these children. For example, an American girl (Joan) received 28 letters from Lewis over a 20 year period! Why do I give this book a rating of 5 stars? Is the writing as deep, weighty, and significant as War & Peace? Not even remotely. But, to me, it is remarkable that an academician/author of the caliber of C.S. Lewis found the time to write such beautiful simple letters to inquiring kids all over the world. There's something very refreshing (for Lewis fans like me at least) about picking this book up and just turning at random to any letter. One ends with "It is still cold here but the snowdrops, crocuses, primroses and daffodils are up and the thrushes are building nests." Or another "Well, I can't say I have had a happy Easter, for I have lately got married and my wife is very, very ill." Such disclosure is an example of the respect Lewis felt children worthy of. One word of caution though: Does a proper appreciation of this book require a familiarity with Lewis's works? Quite frankly: Yes! The Narnia books! Because so many of the letters are alluding to Narnia, readers unfamiliar with that cycle of books may find most of this book quite boring. Lewis never tired of corresponding with his child fans. His final letter, to a boy named Philip was written on November 21, 1963. The following day Lewis passed away peacefully at his Oxford home. Earlier, he had written the following to a group of fifth graders: "I'm tall, fat, rather bald, red-faced, double-chinned, black-haired, have a deep voice, and wear glasses for reading. The only way for us to get to Aslan's country is through death, as far as I know: perhaps some very good people get just a tiny glimpse before then. Best love to you all. When you say your prayers sometimes ask God to bless me, Yours ever, C.S. Lewis"
Rating: Summary: Amazing Review: The reason I gave this book 3 stars is because I would automatically slap at least 3 stars on anything C.S. Lewis wrote (but usually it would be 4 or 5). And when I got this book, I was hoping that it would contain some great insights from his other books--but simplified so that I could see how even children are able to understand some of the complexities of the Divine. But it's nothing of the sort. Most of the letters contained in the book are rather dull, and many talk about the same books and characters ad nauseum. Also, while reading it, there is a feeling of discontinuity. If you have read every single other work by C.S. Lewis, then I guess maybe you should read this book--but otherwise, there are many other books that would be more worth your time.
Rating: Summary: C.S. Lewis's amusing, thoughtful letters to children Review: These eminently readable letters to children over the last 19 years of Lewis's life cover a surprisingly wide variety of topics (many being responses to thoughtful questions from the children who wrote to him). Most of the children began corresponding with Lewis after reading books from his CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series, and Lewis's responses are neither patronizing nor somber, but rather sincere and often humorous. Readers from gradeschool to adulthood levels will enjoy wandering through this lively correspondence.
Rating: Summary: A Lovely Collection from a Gentle Scholar Review: This is a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in C.S. Lewis. The letters are only a representative selection, but if you have read collections of epistles by anyone then you will be prepared for the character of this genre. By its very nature correspondence is occasional and somewhat disjointed. The letters in this volume are especially well-chosen, however, and the editors focus upon letters to the same children as they grow older, letters from the whole of Lewis's career, and letters addressing similar topics. Several themes emerge: childhood imagination, honesty with children (even fair-minded criticism), sympathy for their concerns, the busy schedule of a scholar, poetic details in the everyday, and clear-headed reasoning in even small matters. Lewis writes with a wry sense of humor, respect for children as people, and selflessness. The letters from the end of his life are especially touching. I heartily recommend this book to anyone familiar with Lewis, although novices would do better to start with __Surprised by Joy__, __Mere Christianity__, or one of the Narnian tales.
Rating: Summary: A bit lacking Review: This is one book I had wanted to read for along time. It just seemed like an excellent idea to be able to experience an author in this extraordinary way, communicating with his number one fans: kids. Sadly, when I read it, I didn't like it that much. First of all, it was a very short read. I finished reading it in one afternoon. Secondly, I found the book to be lacking information, because letters are presented here and there, but most of the time we don't get to read a "two-way" conversation, so it is hard to follow. Also, I expected to read letters to and from many children, and was a bit disappointed when I realised only a few children's letters were featured. Still, I love C.S. Lewis, and was very happy to read his Letters to Children, and feel as if some had been written for me.
Rating: Summary: One of my favorite C. S. Lewis books. Review: This little book is short and very, very sweet. It reads almost like a literary fountain of youth. Each letter to each child is personal, enthusiastic, and never ever dull. Often, I'd read these letters, feeling sometimes that they were written just for me; not me, personally, but for all Lewis enthusiasts, especially the young and young at heart. The letters are full of useful, interesting information and express Lewis's greatest joys and deepest sorrows (i.e. the passing of his beloved wife, Joy).
Rating: Summary: Wonderful book! Review: This wonderful book is a collection of C.S. Lewis's responses to various childrens letters regarding Lewis's masterworks, the Narnia chronicles. This book is an intimate, sesitive collection, readable by all ages. This is a personal, gentle book, perfect for reading on a sunday afternoon. Each of the letters is kind and polite, even with or without the absence of the deeply personal questions. Lewis answers every single letter. The cover image was nicely chosen, also. It is subtle, consisting of watercolors, giving the book a sort of light, delicate feel. It sets the feeling for the book perfectly. Everyone can read this book. Its is a thoughtful, touching collection.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful! Review: This wonderful book is a collection of C.S. Lewis's responses to various childrens letters regarding Lewis's masterworks, the Narnia chronicles. This book is an intimate,sesitive collection, readable by all ages. This is a personal, gentle book, perfect for reading on a sunday afternoon. Each of the letters is kind and polite, with or without the absence of the deeply personal questions. Lewis answers every single letter. The cover image was nicely chosen, also. It is subtle, consisting of delicately drawn watercolors. It sets the feeling for the book perfectly. Everyone can read this book. It is a thoughtful, touching collection of letters.
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