C.S. Lewis

by Walter Hooper

This is an exhaustive guide to the entire works of C. S. Lewis, including the religious works, the literary criticism, the fiction and the children's books. It contains a year by year chronology of events in his own life, that of his forbears and of his books since. A more extended biographical section runs to a hundred pages. This is followed by a detailed portrait of each of his many books, with background, summary, contemporary critical reactions and publication history. Next there is a 'Who's who' of characters in Lewis' life, including his academic 'club', The Inklings. Similar in style is the 'What's what' section, featuring among other things the colleges in which he worked and his homes. Then comes a section on Lewis' key ideas, with encyclopaedia style entries pointing to various sections in the books. Finally there is a complete bibliography of texts, both primary and secondary, with publishing histories.

Genres: Biography

Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Walter McGehee Hooper (b. 1931) is a trustee and literary advisor of the estate of C.S. Lewis. Born in Reidsville, North Carolina, he earned an M.A. in education and was an instructor in English at the University of Kentucky in the early 1960s. As a visitor to England, he served briefly (1963) as Lewis's private secretary when Lewis was in declining health. After Lewis's death in November 1963, Hooper devoted himself to Lewis's memory, eventually taking up residence in Oxford, England, where he now lives.

Hooper studied for the Anglican ministry and was ordained, serving as a chaplain and assistant priest in Oxford. He converted to the Roman Catholic faith in 1988. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and symposia.

Reviews

[John Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some beers with the author in Oxford and read his book.