Paths in the Snow: A Literary Journey through The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by Jem Bloomfield

A superbly rich and engrossing exploration of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Paths in the Snow traces the literary allusions and echoes to be found in this beloved novel, drawing the reader deeper into the magic and meaning of Narnia.

Genres: Books About Books, Literary Criticism, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a real comfort read in a time of loss. Going through 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' chapter by chapter, and highlighting the influences from other books and writings familiar to Lewis which may have played a part in the unfolding of his fantasy adventure.

[Leaflet · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some interesting bits, but mostly I felt I was at the mercy of someone over-explaining things to me. I had cottoned on to most of the literary references on my own in my many long years of reading. One’s response to this book may depend on where one is in their reading experience and find it more helpful than I did.

[Eekind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid companion book and reference guide for Biblical and UK cultural aspects of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

I stumbled upon this after reading TLTWATW for book club and was hoping to get more insight into Lewis’ work. I didn’t expect a companion book that went into such detail, to the point where it can cite specific works by Lewis about evolution and changes in words from Medieval to present times, Biblical shorthand and use of Allegory in fiction. These are all texts I would never have been able to find time to research so having them all together in one edition has been amazing

I will say that if you aren’t reading Lion, Witch & Wardrobe for biblical citations, this book might be a bit of a slog. Because you will have passages after passage about the New Testament and Old Testament connections to these stories. Which I definitely enjoyed and will be relevant to my lens of Christian thought in Lion,Witch & Wardrobe but won’t be particularly helpful if you are looking to transcend that lens for more dense scenes like the Witch almost killing Edmund or the initial walk through the White Witches castle grounds. There’s definitely a lot with the White Witch that I wish was better drawn out but I think is being overwhelmed by the author’s interest in her as an obstacle for the protagonists instead of a fully fledged character herself

There’s also a ton about fiction that inspired Lion, Witch and Wardrobe that I think most readers will enjoy. The list is as long as my arm but it’s varied from The Secret Garden, Tom’s Midnight Garden, Agatha Christie’s the Sleeping Murder and more. So any Anglophile will have a lot to go through and enjoy from this lens

The sections on rationing and how meals and social graves were shaped by both world wars were super interesting and helped shape why a magical land of abundance in hospitality and food would be such a Boone for characters that had spent a decade at least between the Great Depression and WWII rationing food, condiments and butter week to week to make do

[Eleanor D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious book. So much in it that I had recognised subconsciously but only fully realised when Jem Bloomfield described in detail the allusions and echoes of other literature. And such a wide range of books from Chaucer to Agatha Christie! Anyone who loves Narnia and loves books will find this an enormous delight. Jem's assertion that the differences between 'the Lion Witch annd Wardrobe' and other comparable texts are as important as the similarities gives a whole added dimension.
For myself it's driving me back to read the whole series all over again as my Christmas project. I look forward to spotting new links in the other books.

[Andrew Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable! I appreciated the speculative, curious approach of this book. It doesn’t present any revolutionary new perspective on how and why Narnia was written; it just romps around in what’s known of author’s influences and makes some pretty informed guesses at what might have consciously or unconsciously inspired various aspects of the work. All of which is just fun, especially when you’ve come to know Lewis fairly well and how he thought about things. I don’t resonate strongly with all of Bloomfield’s suggestions, but many of them I do. All in all this was just a delightful little book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and we’ll-researched. I would have loved to participate in the “Narnia Club” that inspired some of the commentary here. Bloomfield discusses some literary connections and analogs I was aware of, but reveals many more that show how The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe reflect both elements of the time it was written and elements of Lewis’s vast literary scholarship. Proofreading is a bit lacking, but I have had the same struggles. This book should be on every serious Lewis scholar’s shelf. I hope the author will go through all the Chronicles.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, informative, and charming book. I greatly enjoyed reading this exploration of this timeless children's classic. Written with warmth and ease, its careful attention to detail serves to enhance the beautiful story. Jem Bloomfield contributes to the depth & wonder as he delves into theology while affectionately illuminating the craft of writing children's books.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at how Narnia is shaped by Lewis' theological and literary background. A few of the connections seem tenuous but overall a fun discovery of literature serving Lewis' Christian allegory.

[Sem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly, I'm in the minority.

[Claire Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very literary. Very theological. Quite engaging. Took me back to my childhood reading (and loving) TLTWATW

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my thing. I like CS Lewis books and enjoy their Christian basis etc but this was too deep for me.

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating read, one that has already sent me searching out Sir Orfeo and Dante. Perfect complement to Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. LewisPlanet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis though a lot easier to read!