Fans of C. S. Lewis discussion

If you were to choose three books to someone interested in (but unfamiliar with) C. S. Lewis, which ones would you choose?

I expect Mere Christianity and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will occupy 2/3 of many people's lists ... but what about that third and final spot?

What are your three Walt? I am interested in ( but unfamiliar with ) C.S. Lewis.
-Gary

I'm not yet sure. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Mere Christianity are definitely on the list, but that third spot ... it might depend on the person to whom I'm introducing Lewis.

Though I've not yet read it, I suspect A Grief Observed would be a worthy candidate, as it shows how a leading light of Christian apologetics struggled with his own faith after the death of his wife.

Another candidate might be Out of the Silent Planet, which shows how Christian thinking can applied to unlikely genres, such as science fiction.

Finally, the third spot might go to The Great Divorce, which I'm now reading at the suggestion of Dr. Louis Markos, whose lectures on C. S. Lewis (http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/co...) are outstanding and highly recommended.

I'm reading enough Lewis now that I'll likely have a firm opinion on this in six months ... and an equally firm, but different, opinion six months after that!

Thanks Walt! I believe I will start with Mere Christianity since a copy of that has been staring me in the face for several years now. Your post has served as the impetus for me to put the poor guy out of that particular misery.

Hi, all. If you consider non-fiction and books not written by Lewis, I think George Sayer's book entitled Jack. George was a student of Lewis in fact and its a very good read.

If you want to know Lewis the man from his own perspective I recommend his book All My Road Before Me.

Hi! My name is Erin and I am new to the group :-)
I would recommend: Screw Tape Letters, Mere Christianity and A Grief Observed. Although, 'A Grief Observed' is hard reading because it is so heavy and a bit heart wrenching in parts, Lewis is so transparent in his humanity that it is worth the journey. Plus you get some wonderful insights about his marriage.

Thanks all for the posts. Ron - thanks for the Sayer's recommendation. I'll definitely have to look into his writings. Erin - I'm looking forward to reading (soon, I hope) A Grief Observed, although I know it won't be fun, light read. I absolutely agree about Lewis' transparency. It's part of what makes his apologetics works so inviting and resonant. I've never sensed a "holier than thou" tone in any of his works.

Hi, I'm Steve. I am also new but well read in Lewis' work although it has been some years since I read many of them.
I would have chosen TLTWTW, Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra, the last two not because they are science fiction, but because of their images. I assigned Out of the Silent Planet to my teen class some years ago. The response of one student was "I won't ever fear death now for I know I am surrounded by the love of all God's creation." Perelandra is beautiful. (The last of the series was stark and hard.) Both books awaken what Lewis called "the inconsolable longing." A Grief Observed is a wonderful, deeply moving book but one for the mature Christian because Lewis goes through a troubled darkness of doubt.

Greetings all, I would go for: 1 - Mere Christianity, 2- God In The Dock, 3 - The Weight Of Glory.

Surprised by Joy (his autobiography)
The Great Divorce
Screwtape Letters

I just re-read Perelandra and consider it to be the best explanation of sin and the nature of temptation that I’ve ever come across.