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A Mind Awake: An Anthology of C. S. Lewis
“He believed that such problems had at least essential answers and set out like a hound on the scent of a fox to find them. He liked answers better than questions.” – from the Preface
C.S. Lewis believed in the absolute logic of faith; his books, letters, and essays demonstrated the immutability of religion in his life. This collection mines their pages to bring out some of his essential lessons and to showcase the themes that provided the foundation for his The Nature of Man, The Moral World, Sin, The Christian Commitment, Love and Sex, Hell and Heaven, and others. His preoccupations produced inspiring literature that was sometimes whimsical, often provocative, and always emotionally compelling. Here, then, is an anthology to return to again and again—whenever we most need wisdom, insight into how best to wrestle with a particular challenge, or simply the kind of unexpected perspective Lewis always provides.
"Lewis’s remorseless pursuit of clarity, his intense moral concern, [and] the peculiar hue of myth, faerie, and Eden which informs all his work . . . these are here, and in proportion to how one would find them if one were to read every Lewis ever published." — New York Times Book Review
"A comprehensive reminder of the wit, understanding, courage, principles, and prejudices of one of the great lay preachers of our time."— Times Literary Supplement C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, including The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters , The Four Loves , Mere Christianity , and Surprised by Joy .
C.S. Lewis believed in the absolute logic of faith; his books, letters, and essays demonstrated the immutability of religion in his life. This collection mines their pages to bring out some of his essential lessons and to showcase the themes that provided the foundation for his The Nature of Man, The Moral World, Sin, The Christian Commitment, Love and Sex, Hell and Heaven, and others. His preoccupations produced inspiring literature that was sometimes whimsical, often provocative, and always emotionally compelling. Here, then, is an anthology to return to again and again—whenever we most need wisdom, insight into how best to wrestle with a particular challenge, or simply the kind of unexpected perspective Lewis always provides.
"Lewis’s remorseless pursuit of clarity, his intense moral concern, [and] the peculiar hue of myth, faerie, and Eden which informs all his work . . . these are here, and in proportion to how one would find them if one were to read every Lewis ever published." — New York Times Book Review
"A comprehensive reminder of the wit, understanding, courage, principles, and prejudices of one of the great lay preachers of our time."— Times Literary Supplement C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, including The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters , The Four Loves , Mere Christianity , and Surprised by Joy .
252 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1968
482 people are currently reading
2045 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Lewis
1,014 books47.6k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 26, 2020
This is one of my favorite books.
I bought it when I was a college student and just getting to know the writings of C.S. Lewis, and this was a great introduction. It's still a great reminder. Divided into categories such as "The Nature of Man," "The Moral World" and "The Christian Commitment," this book of course includes many treasured excerpts from C.S. Lewis books that are familiar to me now. But it also includes references that aren't likely to be on the Lewis reader's shelf, such as letters that hadn't been published previously, poems, magazine pieces and some of Lewis' writings about literature.
Such as this, from, of all things, the Oxford "English Literature in the Sixteenth Century":
"We want, above all, to know what it felt like to be an early Protestant. ... The experience is that of catastrophic conversion. The man who has passed through it feels like one who has waked from nightmare into ecstasy. Like an accepted lover, he feels that he has done nothing, and never could have done anything to deserve such astonishing happiness. Never again can he 'crow from the dunghill of desert.' All the initiative has been on God's side; all has been free, unbounded grace. And all will continue to be free, unbounded grace. His own puny and ridiculous efforts would be as helpless to retain the joy as they would have been to achieve it in the first place. Fortunately they need not. Bliss is not for sale, cannot be earned. 'Works' have not 'merit,' though of course faith, inevitably, even unconsciously, flows out into works of love at once. He is not saved because he does works of love: he does works of love because he is saved. It is faith alone that has saved him: faith bestowed by sheer gift. From this buoyant humility, this farewell to the self with all its good resolutions, anxiety, scruples, and motive-scratchings, all Protestant doctrines originally sprang."
June 16, 2020
What struck me in this reading was how evangelical Lewis could be. In an essay published in August 1948 in the Bristol Diocesan Gazette he wrote, "The matter is serious: let us put ourselves in His hands at once -- this very day, this hour."
I bought it when I was a college student and just getting to know the writings of C.S. Lewis, and this was a great introduction. It's still a great reminder. Divided into categories such as "The Nature of Man," "The Moral World" and "The Christian Commitment," this book of course includes many treasured excerpts from C.S. Lewis books that are familiar to me now. But it also includes references that aren't likely to be on the Lewis reader's shelf, such as letters that hadn't been published previously, poems, magazine pieces and some of Lewis' writings about literature.
Such as this, from, of all things, the Oxford "English Literature in the Sixteenth Century":
"We want, above all, to know what it felt like to be an early Protestant. ... The experience is that of catastrophic conversion. The man who has passed through it feels like one who has waked from nightmare into ecstasy. Like an accepted lover, he feels that he has done nothing, and never could have done anything to deserve such astonishing happiness. Never again can he 'crow from the dunghill of desert.' All the initiative has been on God's side; all has been free, unbounded grace. And all will continue to be free, unbounded grace. His own puny and ridiculous efforts would be as helpless to retain the joy as they would have been to achieve it in the first place. Fortunately they need not. Bliss is not for sale, cannot be earned. 'Works' have not 'merit,' though of course faith, inevitably, even unconsciously, flows out into works of love at once. He is not saved because he does works of love: he does works of love because he is saved. It is faith alone that has saved him: faith bestowed by sheer gift. From this buoyant humility, this farewell to the self with all its good resolutions, anxiety, scruples, and motive-scratchings, all Protestant doctrines originally sprang."
June 16, 2020
What struck me in this reading was how evangelical Lewis could be. In an essay published in August 1948 in the Bristol Diocesan Gazette he wrote, "The matter is serious: let us put ourselves in His hands at once -- this very day, this hour."
May 14, 2020
It was a fine Spring day here in the mountains of North Carolina to enjoy a good cup of PG Tips tea and finish reading C.S.Lewis A Mind Awake An Anthology edited by Clyde S.Kilby.
Reading from this book everyday has certainly lifted my spirits, reminded me of good memories of Oxford, England, memories made here in the mountains of North Carolina, and what a gift it is to have such an amazing community of genuine people.
“We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words — to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses, and nymphs and elves.”
”-C.S.Lewis.
Reading from this book everyday has certainly lifted my spirits, reminded me of good memories of Oxford, England, memories made here in the mountains of North Carolina, and what a gift it is to have such an amazing community of genuine people.
“We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words — to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses, and nymphs and elves.”
”-C.S.Lewis.
February 23, 2023
This is a well curated selection of Lewis quotes. It covers all topics and puts his brilliance on display. So pick your metaphor. I think I'll go with this: This book is a squat rack for your brain, located in a cosmic weight room.
August 16, 2016
An excellent compilation of his sayings and thoughts arranged by topic. I enjoyed filling my journal full of his ideas and beautiful lines. "...our whole destiny seems to lie... in being as little as possible ourselves, in acquiring a fragrance that is not our own but borrowed, in becoming clean mirrors filled with the image of a face that is not ours..." Highly recommend that it be read slowly over time. A rich read.
January 4, 2011
If you're into the quotable CS Lewis, this piece is for you. Fell in love with this collection when I first saw a copy at the University of the Philippines Main Library way back in 2004. More detailed review later.
January 20, 2013
A collection of Lewis' most famous quotations ranging from all of his works systematized for easy reading. If you want to catch a glimpse of the brilliance of Lewis but have a hard time getting through books like The Abolition of Man or Miracles, you should read this. Also, after each quotation, the author lists what book and which chapter you can go to read more. This is a great resource.
"In science we have only been reading the notes to a poem; in Christianity we have the poem itself."
"In science we have only been reading the notes to a poem; in Christianity we have the poem itself."
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November 25, 2017Took me some time to finish. You can't read a book of quotes very fast. You have to take time to ponder them. But always love CS Lewis. He is so profound and timeless.
July 12, 2023
If you’re like me, and you’ve read most of what C.S. Lewis has written, and you’re looking for “that quote” about something, but you can’t remember whether it came out of Screwtape’s mouth or if it was buried in an obscure essay somewhere, this book belongs on your nightstand. A Mind Awake is an anthology of Lewis quotes compiled by Lewis scholar Clyde Kilby and organized by topic.
I’ve spent the past several weeks reading a couple of pages per night, pondering the gorgeous truth, and enjoying Lewis’s way with the English language. This devotional reading of the book has the additional benefit of teaching me its structure so I can use it as a reference in the future. And if you’ve always felt that you “should” read Lewis, but haven’t? Here’s a way to get an overview of all his work and his thinking on the main themes of the Christian faith.
I’ve spent the past several weeks reading a couple of pages per night, pondering the gorgeous truth, and enjoying Lewis’s way with the English language. This devotional reading of the book has the additional benefit of teaching me its structure so I can use it as a reference in the future. And if you’ve always felt that you “should” read Lewis, but haven’t? Here’s a way to get an overview of all his work and his thinking on the main themes of the Christian faith.
August 9, 2025
“Every Christian would agree that a man’s spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God.”
“The allegorical sense of [St. Mary Magdalene’s] great action dawned on me the other day. The precious alabaster box which one must break over the Holy Feet is one’s heart. Easier said than done. And the contents become perfume only when it is broken. While they are safe inside they are more like sewage.”
“Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fulness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help.” - Lewis
“The allegorical sense of [St. Mary Magdalene’s] great action dawned on me the other day. The precious alabaster box which one must break over the Holy Feet is one’s heart. Easier said than done. And the contents become perfume only when it is broken. While they are safe inside they are more like sewage.”
“Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fulness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help.” - Lewis
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January 27, 2025i would've finished if not for The Woes. (library says give us our darn book back or else)
March 30, 2016
If you have never really read CS Lewis you need this book!
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March 14, 2018Title- A Mind Awake
Author-C.S Lewis
Type of book-Religus
Summary of text-
The author C.S Lewis was a very wise man he wrote this book to talk about what he has wisdom of. This book includes text from the bible and quotes from him. Lewis talks about love, pain the moral world heaven and hell, and just advise from him. "You are told to love your neighbor's and yourself, but how do you love yourself?" this one is my favorite quotes from the book, and there are many more, this one is my favorite because it's true because a lot of people find it very hard to love their neibors and yet themselves. There are a lot of relating sayings in this book and it always makes you want to keep on reading it, it's amazing because when I fist read the back I thought it would be interesting and something new but when I started reading it more it really makes you hooked just because of all the amazing things he says in the book. It is really shows the way of the world and the way of living a christian life.
A Mind Awake is a book I think people should read, it is a very long book and it is about the bible and being a christian but its also shows you the world of nature, god and the evil of sins. This book goes through everything the mind thinks of and answers all of the questions that people may have. Something really great about this book is it never talks about one thing every page it doesn't even talk about the same thing on one page, but it still keeps you hooked it almost feels like its reading your mind some of the time while reading this book. This book provides a lot of wisdom, and when reading this book you think about others and yourself and maybe just life itself, yes all this book has to do with Christianity but it really makes you even think about you beliefs
Author-C.S Lewis
Type of book-Religus
Summary of text-
The author C.S Lewis was a very wise man he wrote this book to talk about what he has wisdom of. This book includes text from the bible and quotes from him. Lewis talks about love, pain the moral world heaven and hell, and just advise from him. "You are told to love your neighbor's and yourself, but how do you love yourself?" this one is my favorite quotes from the book, and there are many more, this one is my favorite because it's true because a lot of people find it very hard to love their neibors and yet themselves. There are a lot of relating sayings in this book and it always makes you want to keep on reading it, it's amazing because when I fist read the back I thought it would be interesting and something new but when I started reading it more it really makes you hooked just because of all the amazing things he says in the book. It is really shows the way of the world and the way of living a christian life.
A Mind Awake is a book I think people should read, it is a very long book and it is about the bible and being a christian but its also shows you the world of nature, god and the evil of sins. This book goes through everything the mind thinks of and answers all of the questions that people may have. Something really great about this book is it never talks about one thing every page it doesn't even talk about the same thing on one page, but it still keeps you hooked it almost feels like its reading your mind some of the time while reading this book. This book provides a lot of wisdom, and when reading this book you think about others and yourself and maybe just life itself, yes all this book has to do with Christianity but it really makes you even think about you beliefs
April 26, 2020
I love C.S. Lewis, but it's just not as enjoyable when given the quotes/passages are taken out of context and are "bare." They were grouped by topics, but still, there wasn't the context or flow or situation to help with full & deep understanding. Oh, there were still plenty of good quotes & passages, but I have to say I like reading straight through his books, one at a time. Complicating things for me, I ended up reading this on my iPhone through the Overdrive app--as it was borrowed from the library and there was no Kindle version available. I think I had to re-borrow it at least 2x. I am very thankful for the man and the writer & thinker--he was brilliant.
May 19, 2019
This is a topically arranged anthology of stellar Lewis quotes from his corpus of works. Besides being a handy quick reference for his perspective on various topics, it is a good way to remember where he talks about what. Also, this anthology proves Owen Barfield's observation about Lewis: that what he thought about everything was secretly present in what he said about anything.
October 20, 2021
I love the layout of books like this that organize an author's thoughts into easily traceable patterns or categories. This is a great anthology of Lewis thought on the nature of man, interactions with God and the church, and the Christian life lived out in a variety of challenges we face in our culture today.
June 23, 2025
You’ll Be Smarter After Finishing Reading
One can’t help become more learned after reading anything written by CS Lewis. His writings just ooze intelligence. Which also means they can be a slog to read from start to finish. Don’t give in. You can finish if you try, and you’ll be a better person for persevering.
One can’t help become more learned after reading anything written by CS Lewis. His writings just ooze intelligence. Which also means they can be a slog to read from start to finish. Don’t give in. You can finish if you try, and you’ll be a better person for persevering.
July 17, 2025
Great collection! Concise and categorized.
So many great writings to try to encapsulate in any single volume, but this collection certainly includes many of the best.
So many reminders of his books that I have read previously and so many more to add to my "to read" list.
So many great writings to try to encapsulate in any single volume, but this collection certainly includes many of the best.
So many reminders of his books that I have read previously and so many more to add to my "to read" list.
June 11, 2019
Selected quotations of meaty, chew thought from the Master Writer and Mind, CS Lewis!
February 4, 2020
Whenever I miss Lewis and want to read something he wrote I go straight to this book.
April 14, 2020
Highlights some of Lewis’s great ideas. An anthology with selected quotations just sparks the appetite for reading the entire work of a passage that speaks to you.
April 13, 2023
A powerful little anthology, with plenty to mull over, challenge & encourage. Would highly recommend, especially as a jumping off point for beginning Lewis readers.
October 15, 2022
This anthology of quotes from Lewis is a good collection of many of Lewis' richest nuggets.
Light recommendation to any Lewis fan.
Light recommendation to any Lewis fan.
August 15, 2025
Focusing on a series of relevant topics for both the growing Christian and inquisitive newcomers, this collection of quotations reaches into a multitude of C.S. Lewis' works to discuss the nature of sin, love, materialism, morality and more. Lewis exhibits a comfortably relatable understanding of faith and its highs and lows, now easily approachable through this selection of quotes from his essays, poetry and novels, perfect to ponder no matter the time. There's never a wrong moment to take a breath and ponder what the day will bring.
May 15, 2013
This is essentially a C. S. Lewis quote book. "A Mind Awake" is an appropriate title, as I got the impression while reading it that Lewis's mind is awake while mine has been asleep my whole life. And while I was welcoming his thoughts into my own mind, I felt it awakening as well. Lewis thinks and writes with such clarity and discernment that it is hard to see how anyone could ever disagree with him. I will surely return to this volume many times in the years to come.
April 4, 2011
Too scattershot for my taste (as is often the case with anthologies), but full of thoughtful nuggets, and my tattered copy of the book is replete with margin notes and yellow highlighting. Those things are unusual for me; they bear witness to this volume's honorable service as a touchstone for a faith-sharing group of which I was part for several years.
March 26, 2011
Keep reading it over and over. There's lots here. Enough to explore for a lifetime. I think Lewis's best work is like that. He focuses on the broad concerns of Christendom. Thankfully, not ever getting caught out pointing at any particular person, and refreshing of refreshing he only ever really seems to talk about sins he's acquainted with.
November 2, 2012
A good exploration of Lewis' works if you are unfamiliar with the diversity of his subjects. I didn't know which of his books to read next, so I read this to inform that decision. Though this anthology was basically just a quote mine, and left me wanting more, that was exactly the litmus test that I approached it with.
October 5, 2008
This is a series of brief quotes from Lewis' works. I put it in my pocket and read it daily while walking to work over about a month. It provides lots of tasty bits of things to tantalize the mind at the beginning of a day. Worth reading! (It helps to be familiar with Lewis)
January 21, 2010
This is a quote book, organized by topic. I didn't read every word, but the scope was impressive for this slim volume. It's not great for reading cover to cover, but I'm tempted to buy the book for the "divine longing" section alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews