A Life Observed: A Spiritual Biography of C. S. Lewis - Paperback

by Devin Brown (Author), Douglas Gresham (Foreword by)

C. S. Lewis is one of the most influential Christian writers of our time. The Chronicles of Narnia has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and all Lewis's works are estimated to sell 6 million copies annually. At the fiftieth anniversary of his death, Lewis expert Devin Brown brings the beloved author's story to life in a fresh, accessible, and moving biography through focusing on Lewis's spiritual journey.

Although it was clear from the start that Lewis would be a writer, it was not always clear he would become a Christian. Drawing on Lewis's autobiographical works, books by those who knew him personally, and his apologetic and fictional writing, this book tells the inspiring story of Lewis's journey from cynical atheist to joyous Christian and challenges readers to follow their own calling. The book allows Lewis to tell his own life story in a uniquely powerful manner while shedding light on his best-known works.

Back Jacket

C. S. Lewis is one of the most influential Christian writers of our time. But while it was clear from the start that he would be a writer, it was not always clear he would become a Christian. A Life Observed tells the inspiring story of Lewis's spiritual journey from cynical atheist to joyous Christian. Drawing on Lewis's autobiographical works, books by those who knew him personally, and his apologetic and fictional writing, this spiritual biography brings the beloved author's story to life while shedding light on his best-known works.

"This book has the essential quality of a biography--it's reliable."
--Walter Hooper, C. S. Lewis's personal secretary and editor

"Devin Brown has always been my go-to source for all things related to Middle Earth and Narnia. In A Life Observed he shows us Lewis's remarkable journey from hardened skeptic to one of the most joyful, thoughtful, and influential apologists in the history of Christianity. Like Lewis, Devin is a pleasure to read, and you can't help but feel a little smarter--and a little happier--when you finish this book."
--Micheal Flaherty, cofounder and president, Walden Media

"[This] is the story of Jack's real and true life--not the mere flash of the firefly in the infinite darkness of time that is our momentary life in this world, but the one he left this world to begin--and how he came to attain it. Brown helpfully works his way through the dross and difficulties of Jack's earthly life in search of every factor, every influence, every event, and all of the people who showed Jack where the narrow path lay and taught him where it led. . . . I grew up with Jack as my guide. This real Jack whom I knew walks the pages of this book."
--Douglas Gresham (from the foreword)

Author Biography

Devin Brown (PhD, University of South Carolina) is a Lilly scholar and professor of English at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he teaches courses on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. He has written, taught, and lectured on Lewis extensively for more than ten years. He has authored a number of books related to Lewis, including Inside Narnia. In 2008 he was invited to serve as scholar-in-residence at the Kilns, Lewis's home in Oxford.