C. S. Lewis's Oxford

by Simon Horobin

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

Published July 5, 2024

Reviews

[Sophia Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible service to the Lewis community. In this book, Oxford becomes a character and the reader understands how this beautiful city played a role in making C.S. Lewis into the person we so love. The reader learns about various places in Oxford in their own right and then learns about new discoveries made in Lewis's life and, most predominantly in this book, his scholarship. New archives are brought the surface and stories about Lewis's time as a scholar and don are revealed. Because of the depth of insights and findings in this book, the reader is discovering a new thing about Lewis every page, which, for a loyal student of Lewis, is a rare experience. All in all, this book is a gift to all fans of Lewis and continues to grow our appreciation for this man.

[Grace]

I bought this in Oxford and stayed up late because of jet lag finishing it. Added some locations to my growing list of places I need to visit while I’m here.

[Joseph Leake]

Full of glimpses into Lewis' life in Oxford (and, in the penultimate chapter, Cambridge)—the details range from humorous and odd to profound and moving, but are always revealing and interesting. The windows into this world are a delight.

My chief criticism is that the author doesn't take us further into that world. This is partly a result of the matter-of-fact writing style, partly of the (at times) brisk narrative pace, breezing from one anecdote to another: both conspire to too often "tell" rather than "show." Now, I am a devoted Anglophile in general, and more specifically a lover of all things Oxford and the Inklings (why, it's right up there with Yorkshire toponymy!), so I am, admittedly, a difficult customer to please, because I would always crave more. But with all that said, I do believe it would have been possible for the author to slow down more often and verbally "paint" the scenes more fully.

But I would be remiss if I gave the impression that the writing is dry and dull, or that the book didn't provide a wonderful access into Lewis' world: the book is full of detail and insight, and I have no doubt I will look into it again with great pleasure many times in the future.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spare, specific, and eloquent, much like the writings of the man himself.

I think Lewis would have been quite touched by this, though no doubt he would quip self-deprecatingly about being the honoree of a book with such elegant binding and so many color plates.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!!
Loved it....

Wonderful book, much Info about C, S, Lewis.
fotos, pictures, great stuff.
The book itself is awesome, every time I see my book on my shelf, my heart full of joy.

Best fotos and pictures, Simon Horobin has done a great job.
Five Stars!!!!

Dean;)

[Terry Feix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book! The book focuses on the places and people Lewis encountered in Oxford. It’s as much about the town as about Lewis. It’s a great approach to both Oxford and to Lewis.

[Daniel Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

C.S. Lewis, famed author of the Chronicles of Narnia and Christian apologist, spent most of his adult life at Oxford. C.S. Lewis's Oxford "examines the role Oxford—its colleges, libraries, chapels, clubs, common room and pubs—played in fostering the work of one of the twentieth century's most influential writers and thinkers."

This book is a curiosity. It started slowly but got more interesting. It is kind of a biography, but not in any traditional sense. Focusing on Oxford, it is a bit like a tourist guide, moving back and forth chronologically at different locations in the town important to Lewis. Along the way, it shares insights into Lewis's daily life (mostly his duties as a tutor/lecturer, his involvement in clubs/societies, and his friendships).

In dividing the focus between Lewis and Oxford, you get a full picture of neither. This book was a meandering (if enjoyable) hodge-podge of anecdotes and does not achieve its stated purpose. Instead, is more about sharing stories previously unpublished about Lewis's life. It is best enjoyed by a fan of Lewis on holiday in Oxford who can wander the streets and soak in the locations mentioned.

[Cole Feix · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more enjoyable books I’ve read recently. Horobin doesn’t just describe Oxford’s shaping effects on CS Lewis, he invites you into them. Maybe even more than the prominent places like Addison’s Walk or The Eagle and Child, it’s the pubs, common rooms, and living quarters that reveal the real Lewis in his home of three decades. The full color photos and plates make this a beautiful and engaging read.

Watch for the interview at So We Speak!

[Justin Harbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a massive Lewis fan and lover of the city of Oxford, this is an outstanding read. For Lewis fans seeking to get to know Lewis the man and the life he lived, this would be a great starting point after reading Surprised by Joy. For those who know him well this still holds value as an excellent and robust account of his daily life.

[James-Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having now been there, this book truly brings alive the picture of Lewis at Oxford, along with great anecdotes about his time there from people who knew him...and there are really good pictures included throughout!

[Timothy Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who enjoys reading CS Lewis - whether his apologetic, fictional or academic works - will surely enjoy this look into the wardrobe of his working life and the background to his literary output. It is almost entirely centred on Oxford, as the title suggests, with only one chapter about his Cambridge decade.

The author gives a chapter each to seven places in Oxford with close links or associations with Lewis, followed by one about Cambridge and one about Lewis’s global legacy. There are many fascinating insights and details as well as personal revelations, even some that may be upsetting, showing that our idol has feet of clay - but that is as it should be.

Sometimes we descend into a welter of detail about lectures, papers, essays, books and academia, politics and all. Sometimes the book drifts into being a rather dry recounting of facts. Soon enough, however, we emerge blinking into the light of discovering more about the human being behind the famous name.

The book is, of course, primarily about CS Lewis, not Oxford, yet we do dip into the life and limb of the city, even if only on Lewis’s terms. This is neither a biography nor a city guide but it takes us not really behind the scenes but into the scenes wherever the man and the city crossed paths. Perhaps a more appropriate title would be ‘CS Lewis in Oxford’.

[Rob Brethouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tight. Compact. Direct. Fascinating. No wasted words.

[Leslie McCurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch biography of Lewis, refracted through the places he lived, taught, wrote, and talked.

[R T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am the target audience for this book as I love any excuse to return to Oxford in print. I enjoyed it but there's not much that would draw me back (unlike the real Oxford). I did appreciate the author's insight about the touristy desire to "find the inspiration for Narnia" in certain spaces around the city and how it was much more the atmosphere (and company) in Oxford than any specific place that fostered the stories. And it was good to read more about Lewis's affection for Cambridge and Magdalene College; I usually overlook "the other place" and its importance to him.
Also of note: this is the first time I remember reading a definite assertion about Lewis's physical relationship with Mrs. Moore. I'm sure this point will continue to be debated by Lewis fans and scholars.

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Horobin has written a very good work of scholarship of why the literary legacy of C. S. Lewis still endures to this day. As someone who has written about Lewis, and studied his writings for years, there were some fascinating things about Lewis' early academic life I did not know, such as his work on a novel he eventually abandoned, and his involvement with a college society at Oxford called 'The Martlets.'

My friend and Lewis scholar, Dr. Steven Beebe, recommended this book to me recently, and it was an absolute joy to read. Reading the book brought back to my mind rich memories made in Oxford, and in Northern Ireland, associated with Lewis. I highly recommend this book!

[Adam Howorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many lovely moments in this book about Lewis’s time in Oxford. I especially enjoyed learning about his decision to duel with swords over the merits of Arnold’s poetry; the establishment of Beer and Beowulf nights in his room; and his complaint about the restrictions of his new Cambridge lifestyle only allowing a single glass of port after dinner! Wonderful stuff.

Like Hemingway’s Boat, this biography contextualises its subject by tying it to a specific moment in time, which makes it far more engaging and readable than more generalised works that span cradle to grave.

[Alison Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was amazed how detailed Horobin was regarding Lewis and his life in Oxford, from student to end of career. Having just returned from Oxford, where I was able to attend a lecture by Horobin based on this book, I absolutely loved all the references to places I had seen and people I was learning about. Highly recommend if you want more details on his life during his time in Oxford - much more than other biographies have.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part biography, part picture-book, this well-illustrated volume grounds Lewis in the spot where he spent most of his adult life … it also sheds light on the customs and traditions of Oxford University … it’s studded with quotes and snatches of poetry … enlightening …

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable! It makes Oxford a character in Lewis’s story. It weaves his general biography through streets and pubs of Oxford. It both makes me want to read more of and about Lewis, and it makes me want to go back to Oxford.

[Stratkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly illuminating read.