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A Shiver of Wonder: A Life of C. S. Lewis
He was an ATHEIST who became the BEST-SELLING Christian author in history.
He was an intellectual prig who was transformed into a man who had a mind and heart awake to holiness. He had no posterity, but few men in history have been so deeply loved by children. He was but a mirror reflecting another Face.
He was an Oxford Don and a Cambridge Professor. He was an expert in Medieval and Renaissance English who gripped the imagination of millions through his wartime broadcasts of Christian truth for the BBC—broadcasts that later became his famous book, Mere Christianity .
He was C. S. Lewis, a name synonymous with legendary kindness, intellectual rigour, a love of nature and perhaps his greatest creation, Aslan and the land of Narnia.
In A Shiver of Wonder , learn how his writings still compel countless readers to shiver with wonder at the great imagination and depth of understanding he possessed.
Controversial genius that he was, his life is a beacon for all who struggle with doubt and faith in Christ.
He was an intellectual prig who was transformed into a man who had a mind and heart awake to holiness. He had no posterity, but few men in history have been so deeply loved by children. He was but a mirror reflecting another Face.
He was an Oxford Don and a Cambridge Professor. He was an expert in Medieval and Renaissance English who gripped the imagination of millions through his wartime broadcasts of Christian truth for the BBC—broadcasts that later became his famous book, Mere Christianity .
He was C. S. Lewis, a name synonymous with legendary kindness, intellectual rigour, a love of nature and perhaps his greatest creation, Aslan and the land of Narnia.
In A Shiver of Wonder , learn how his writings still compel countless readers to shiver with wonder at the great imagination and depth of understanding he possessed.
Controversial genius that he was, his life is a beacon for all who struggle with doubt and faith in Christ.
- GenresBiography
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
86 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Derick Bingham
38 books5 followersDerick Bingham is a teaching pastor with Christ Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has written over twenty books and broadcasts weekly for TransWorld Radio into Europe and the Middle East. He is a director on the board of the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and travels internationally teaching and preaching the Scriptures. He lives in Belfast with his wife Margaret.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 16, 2018
A fascinating look into the life of a remarkable man. I have enjoyed Lewis' Screwtape Letters many times, and a few other books of his. But I'd also heard harsh criticism of him, strong accusations, and wanted to start checking into things myself. I'm in the process of it -- this was an amazing first step. He had a remarkable mind, for sure, and loved the Lord with a passion. The biographer himself is a good writer, and the book was a pleasure to read, just for reading's sake.
October 26, 2019
This would be a good biography of C. S. Lewis to begin with, especially for a young adult, followed perhaps by George Sayer’s Jack (though it was many years ago that I read Sayer’s book).
April 15, 2013
A Shiver of Wonder - A Life of C.S. Lewis, by Derick Bingham, is one of the more delightful renditions of the the Lewis biography.
Bingham's approach to biographies is a blend of personal history and character study along with poetic description, especially of the homes, towns, geography, flora and fauna of the areas where the central characters lived. I will remember this biography of Lewis when I have forgotten others, because of Bingham's interplay of surroundings, friendships and family dynamics to explain the development of Lewis's unique world view.
Lewis, like all of us, was a product of his upbringing, his ethnicity and his locale. Bingham shows how the region of Belfast, the book-laden house he grew up in, and the imaginary world which he and his brother Warren created, laid the foundation for his later literary exploits.
Especially touching is Bingham's description of Lewis's personal struggles with faith, his prodigal period, and the relationship with Tolkien, who won him back to Christianity. Also very poignant is the account of Warren's decline into alcoholism and his eventual demise. One can feel Lewis's heartache as he watched his brother's self-destruction, and later the losing fight his wife, Joy, had with cancer.
I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get to know Lewis on a personal and emotional level.
Bingham's approach to biographies is a blend of personal history and character study along with poetic description, especially of the homes, towns, geography, flora and fauna of the areas where the central characters lived. I will remember this biography of Lewis when I have forgotten others, because of Bingham's interplay of surroundings, friendships and family dynamics to explain the development of Lewis's unique world view.
Lewis, like all of us, was a product of his upbringing, his ethnicity and his locale. Bingham shows how the region of Belfast, the book-laden house he grew up in, and the imaginary world which he and his brother Warren created, laid the foundation for his later literary exploits.
Especially touching is Bingham's description of Lewis's personal struggles with faith, his prodigal period, and the relationship with Tolkien, who won him back to Christianity. Also very poignant is the account of Warren's decline into alcoholism and his eventual demise. One can feel Lewis's heartache as he watched his brother's self-destruction, and later the losing fight his wife, Joy, had with cancer.
I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get to know Lewis on a personal and emotional level.
March 19, 2017
A rambling encounter with greatness
Most, today know of the great works of C.S. Lewis. I for one didn't know of the formulation and abundant kind heart of this man. The story is interlaced with the history of the first half of the 20th century. It tells of the personal struggles and interactions that made him one of our most revered apologists. Hang in through the ramblings. It's worth it. Jack would be pleased that you are part of his legacy.
Most, today know of the great works of C.S. Lewis. I for one didn't know of the formulation and abundant kind heart of this man. The story is interlaced with the history of the first half of the 20th century. It tells of the personal struggles and interactions that made him one of our most revered apologists. Hang in through the ramblings. It's worth it. Jack would be pleased that you are part of his legacy.
February 4, 2017
Fascinating
This book was enjoyable and gives a perspective on Lewis's life that includes a great deal of poetic asides that don't necessarily add to the experience.
This book was enjoyable and gives a perspective on Lewis's life that includes a great deal of poetic asides that don't necessarily add to the experience.
February 7, 2017
Excellent biography
I couldn't more highly recommend this book. Much about Lewis I did not know.
What a great man! Only $1.07 makes these classics feel like theft!
I couldn't more highly recommend this book. Much about Lewis I did not know.
What a great man! Only $1.07 makes these classics feel like theft!
October 8, 2018
For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...
November 18, 2020
This is an amazing book highlighting the life of C.S. Lewis. Lots of details about his personal life including the culture of the time and how it shaped his writings.
June 2, 2020
Over the last 20+ years, I’ve read most of CS Lewis’s works. I am broadly familiar with his life story, but this is the first biography of Lewis that I have read. This is a good summary of Lewis’s life and his journey from atheism to full Christian belief, and it gives helpful context to his writings which will always be the means by which we know Lewis best. The author’s love for Lewis is apparent. At times the writing was a bit superfluous - almost every chapter had some description of the plant and animal life of Britain, and there were many illustrations that had nothing to do with CS Lewis at all. It was almost like Bingham was trying to be CS Lewis in writing a biography about him. No need for that. Let Lewis be Lewis. This was my only hang-up with what was otherwise a good primer on the life of one of the most influential Christians in history.
September 15, 2017
A wonderful read!
I have long enjoyed the Narnia series, the Science Trilogy, especially Peralandra, as well as some of his other books, but did not know anything personally about C S Lewis. This book provided a very in-depth portrayal of Lewis, both his pre and post life as a Christian. As a result of this biography/tribute, my admiration has grown and I am anxious to read even more of his writings. I enjoyed the fact that Lewis is anything but a stereotypical believer and was a humble man without false modesty. He was a great man who considered himself to be just one of God's children and liked to write about the One he loved the most.
I have long enjoyed the Narnia series, the Science Trilogy, especially Peralandra, as well as some of his other books, but did not know anything personally about C S Lewis. This book provided a very in-depth portrayal of Lewis, both his pre and post life as a Christian. As a result of this biography/tribute, my admiration has grown and I am anxious to read even more of his writings. I enjoyed the fact that Lewis is anything but a stereotypical believer and was a humble man without false modesty. He was a great man who considered himself to be just one of God's children and liked to write about the One he loved the most.
November 25, 2018
Did not enjoy the book as much as I’d hoped. There was too much fluff, talking about the landscape, etc. in some ways it reminded me of a high school research paper. The author also sanitized the details of Lewis’s struggles with sin and worldly things. Finally, he draws conclusions about Lewis’s motivation where I think he should’ve let it to the reader to decide. I have read many of Lewis’s books both fiction and non- and was hoping for more from this book. Would not recommend. I will be looking for another biography on Lewis.
July 9, 2017
Three stars or four?
Much of this book I enjoyed. It was good to read again the story of C S Lewis. I found the decorative opening passages of each chapter irritating distractions; they seemed intended to pad out the story with a not very convincing tour of natural history.
The depth of C S Lewis's faith comes across well.
Much of this book I enjoyed. It was good to read again the story of C S Lewis. I found the decorative opening passages of each chapter irritating distractions; they seemed intended to pad out the story with a not very convincing tour of natural history.
The depth of C S Lewis's faith comes across well.
November 28, 2022
Nourishing food for heart and mind!
The best book I have read about C. S. Lewis's life and work. Deftly weaves many details previously unknown to me around themes that shaped Lewis's life and mine also: honor, beauty, mystery, theology, grandeur, and more. I now want to re-read some of Lewis's books I read in young adulthood and likely did not then appreciate as I might now.
The best book I have read about C. S. Lewis's life and work. Deftly weaves many details previously unknown to me around themes that shaped Lewis's life and mine also: honor, beauty, mystery, theology, grandeur, and more. I now want to re-read some of Lewis's books I read in young adulthood and likely did not then appreciate as I might now.
November 25, 2012
Not necessarily a thorough biography or even the best, but it was a good introduction/summary of Lewis' life and really tied well into his connection to Ireland.
Made me want to learn more about and read more by Lewis.
Published 2004, Ambassador Intl. Greenville, SC. 228 pages
Donated to local church library after I finished reading it.
January 23, 2008
I lost interest about 2 chapters in. The writing was so-so and the store contained nothing I hadnt heard before.
July 13, 2011
This book is one that stands out sharply in my mind as pivotal. I could not see it all at the time, but it gave me much food for thought.
April 23, 2017
Amazing book
So well written. Lots of detail about the man 'Jack'. I think he has left a legacy for many generations in his writings. This was the first of his books I have read but will not be the last. Thank you C S Lewis. Thank you Derick Bingham
So well written. Lots of detail about the man 'Jack'. I think he has left a legacy for many generations in his writings. This was the first of his books I have read but will not be the last. Thank you C S Lewis. Thank you Derick Bingham
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews