C S Lewis Centenary Group
Number 15: August 1998
Monthly from the C S Lewis Centenary Group
11 Raglan Road, Bangor, Co Down BT20 3TL, Northern Ireland.
Web site: http://www.d-n-a.net/users/cslewis/
E-mail: cslewis@dnet.co.uk (editorial) and coiace@iol.ie (subscriptions)
The great Christian writer, C S Lewis, was born in Belfast on 29th November 1898. The C S Lewis Centenary Group formed in 1994, so that Lewis’s native land might suitably celebrate his Centenary in 1998.
IN AUGUST
* August 4th - 1922, C. S. Lewis received first class honours in Greats (Classics and Philosophy)
* August 6th - 1941, on Queen Elizabeth's birthday (now the Queen Mother), C. S. Lewis gave the first of his morale-boosting wartime talks on BBC Radio, later published as 'Mere Christianity'
* August 8th - 1933, Warren & C. S. Lewis visited St Mark's Church in Belfast to see the stained-glass window they had placed there in memory of their parents
* August 12th - 1973, Charles Colson, aide to President Nixon, received C. S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity'
* August 15th - 1932, C. S. Lewis began writing the 'Pilgrim's Regress'. While staying with Arthur Greeves in Belfast
* August 17th - 1931, Warren & C. S. Lewis went bathing at Castlerock in Northern Ireland, scene of several childhood holidays.
* August 20th - 1958 C. S. Lewis completed his recording of 'The Four Loves' for radio.
* August 21st - 1934, Warren and C. S. Lewis were on holiday in Ireland and Warren went into an ocean made rough by wind and rain; he said it was the 'best bathe' he had ever had.
* August 29th - 1894, Warren & C.S. Lewis's parents, Albert and Flora, were married on this day.
THIS ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER IS DEDICATED TO THE VICTIMS OF THE OMAGH BOMB
August was C. S. Lewis's holiday month, but this August we have been mourning the victims of an atrocity that will live long in the memory. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the bomb, and with their relatives, friends.
Moments like these that make Northern Ireland seem small. Fr Kevin Mullan, of Christ the King Church, Omagh, conducted several funerals and was prominent at the memorial service in Omagh on Saturday 22nd August. Fr Mullan is a supporter of the Centenary Group and receives this newsletter. The owners of 'Little Lea' attended the funeral of the student daughter of friends. So ends the first and, I hope, last excursion into politics in this newsletter.
A. N. WILSON TO DELIVER CAMBRIDGE CENTENARY LECTURE
Magdalene College, Cambridge, has invited controversial biographer of C. S. Lewis, A. N. Wilson, to deliver a public Centenary Lecture on Lewis at Magdalen on Friday 27th November, 2 days from the Lewis's exact centenary of Lewis's birth on 29th November.
In the July issue of the newsletter, a contributor called A. N. Wilson's 'poison-pen' biography 'an underhanded attack on Christianity'. Some years ago Douglas Gresham refused (perhaps still refuses) to appear at any function where the Wilson book was on sale or display.
'OUR' TONY WILSON
Stalwart of the Centenary Group, Tony Wilson, gave a well-received illustrated talk at the Belfast Conference. On the Sunday following, Tony collapsed and was taken to hospital. It was not a feared heart attack, and Tony is now convalescing at home. Tony and his wife, Marjorie, have our prayers and good wishes.
IRISH VISITS
DR JAMES PACKER, of Regent's College, Vancouver, visited 'Little Lea' on 30 July.
On July 13-15, MR DAVID SPENCE, of North Carolina, brought a 28-strong party to visit the Lewis sites in Belfast and the Mourne mountains . Mrs JOAN MURPHY, neice of C. S. Lewis, was their guide.
DR CHARLES REYNOLDS brought a party to Belfast and was shown 'Little Lea' and St Mark's Church by David Bleakley and Tony Wilson on 31 July.
At the Spence party's lunch at the Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, David Bleakley remarked that it was 40 years almost to the day since David had briefly picked up C. S. Lewis from the Old Inn to take him for some messages, while Lewis was honeymooning there with Joy. Joan Murphy attended the dinner that CSL hosted at the Old Inn for his relatives in Joy's honour, but Joan remembers little of the occasion.
MAGICAL WORLDS
The Royal Mail stamp series, 'MAGICAL WORLDS', has been received favorably in general. BUT Matthew Winslow comments that, on the Lewis 26p stamp, Lucy should be a blonde, not a brunette!
Some foreign visitors wasted precious time on their visits searching for local post offices with stamps in stock. They would have done better to lift the phone from home to place an order! Good news is that the stamps will continue to be available from the British Philatelic Bureau until July 1999. The Bureau sells individual stamps, Presentation Packs of all the 5 stamps in the series (£2.25), and postcards of each stamp (25p each).Telephone your order to (UK) 0345 641 641, from abroad +44 345 641 641. Credit cards accepted .
* FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Rumours of Conferences in SPAIN, POLAND and BRAZIL - but no details to hand. Prof Frank Kastor mentioned a C. S. Lewis event in Kansas - again no details.
'SHADOWLANDS' 8-25 September, 8 pm, Belfast. The production at the Lyric Theatre will star ROGER PARROTT as Jack and MAGGIE CRONIN as Joy. Booking Office Tel: 01232 381081.
MAGDALENE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, Michaelmas (Autumn) term. A series of 8 sermons at Sunday Evensong by leading preachers (Anglican, Catholic, and Nonconformist), on Lewisian themes (eg. Prayer, miracles, pain, death, joy, the devil, childhood). The first preacher will be Rt Rev Simon Barrington-Ward, former Bishop of Coventry and Chaplain of Magdalene College when Lewis was there. The Magdalene Chapel Card for the term will carry a photograph of Lewis.
COLLINS CHILDRENS' BOOKS CENTENARY, 5 October, London
'C. S. LEWIS WEEKEND' 16-18 October, Pennsylvania. With Douglas Gresham. Open to the public. For a brochure with a schedule of events and local accommodation write to; Will Vaus, Murrysville Community Church, 3750 School Road, Murrysville, PA 15668, Tel: 724-327-8411, email willvaus@juno.com or WVaus@aol.com.
'JACK' Saturday 7 November, Belfast. The New Irish Choir and Orchestra announces; "THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 'JACK'. A special celebration of the life and legacy of CS Lewis, written by Douglas Gresham and Keith Getty. The event combines the music and song by Douglas Gresham and Keith Getty and the story of CS Lewis, his life, his search for faith and the legacy of his work. Belfast Waterfront Hall,."
'JACK-A MUSICAL PORTRAIT OF C. S. LEWIS', November. Nick Page announces a three week tour of Great Britain of an evening of words and music entitled 'Jack - A Musical Portrait of C S Lewis', with dramatic sketches and songs written by Douglas Gresham with the talented young Irish composer, Keith Getty, and hosted by Douglas Gresham.
NOVEMBER
* Wednesday 11th, DURHAM, Bethany Christian Centre, Houghton-le-Spring, Tel: 0191 512 1234
* Thursday 12th, STIRLING, Albert Halls, Tel: 0141 579 0013
* Friday 13th, GLASGOW, Queens Park Baptist Church, Tel: 0141 579 0013
* Saturday 14th, EDINBURGH, Central Hall, Tel: 0141 579 0013
* Tuesday 17th, LLANDUDNO, St John's Methodist Church, Tel: 01492 860439
* Thursday 19th, CAMBRIDGE, Stone Yard Centre, St Andrews Street, Tel: 01223 506343
* Friday 20th, COLCHESTER, Charter Hall, Tel: 01206 579665
* Saturday 21st , CHELTENHAM, Cheltenham Ladies College, Tel: 01242 515915
* Tuesday 24th, OXFORD, Town Hall, Tel:01865 865292
* Wednesday 25th, BRISTOL, Christ Church, Clifton, Tel: 0117 973 9815
* Thursday 26th, WORTHING, Worthing Tabernacle, Tel: 01903 236542
* Friday 27th, LUTON, Stopsley Baptist Church, Tel: 01462 768627
* Saturday 28th, LONDON, Westminster Chapel, Tel: 0171 629 3998
Further information from Nick Page Tel: 01959 523740, fax 01959 525011, email nickpage@xc.org"
The Belfast and touring productions share a common core. The Belfast production uses, I believe, a full orchestra. The tour may move to the USA in 1999, and a record may be released for Christmas.
C. S. LEWIS 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, Sunday 29 November, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Held by the Tulsa Area C. S. Lewis Society. Details from Dr Doreen Anderson Wood, 705 N. Lincoln, Sand Springs, OK 74063-7818, phone 918-245-2570.
CENTENARY EVENTS AT MAGDALENE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
* 27 November, Public Lecture, A. N. Wilson (biographer of Lewis),
and in the last week of November-
* An open Symposium led by Fellows: 'C S Lewis as we remember him'
* A private evening of readings from Lewis's works, 'An evening with C S Lewis'
* The erection of a commemorative plaque in Magdalene College Chapel.
* REPORTS
MODERN SCREWTAPE LETTERS COMPETITION Joe Christopher writes- 'In the imitation Screwtape letters competition sponsored by the Mythopoeic Society for the Lewis Centenary Celebrations, held at Wheaton College this July. There were nineteen submissions, and the winning letters were by:
1. Christine Miller
2. Adrian Schoonmaker
3. Marc Newman.
The three winners were read, in reverse order, at the convention on the evenings of July 16, 17, and 19. They received mock-diplomas granting a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the Tempters' Training College to announce the three winners. The dramatic readings were done (very well) by Cary Hoagland. In addition, one of those who had submitted a letter and who was attending--Berni Phillips--was asked to read her letter on the 19th also.'
BELFAST CONFERENCE Lois Westerlund writes: 'The Belfast Conference was a joy--clear academic focus, excellent papers from a variety of perspectives, and a most interesting tour of early Lewis sites with readings from Surprised by Joy on site! Bravo to John Gillespie, James O'Fee, Tony Wilson, and all the Belfast organizers and contributors. The Lewis statue to be erected in front of the library in Holywood [actually at Holywood Arches, Belfast-Ed] is inspired--Lewis opening the door of the wardrobe for any child who climbs up to sit in the chair in his other hand!'
* RESEARCH
CAIR PARAVEL
During the Belfast Conference, John Gillespie took the registrants on a tour
of the North Coast. He pointed out Dunluce Castle as the model for 'Cair
Paravel'. Dunluce is certainly one of our most romantic castles, with ruined walls
perched on cliffs falling sheer into the sea and wonderful views along the
coast.
Lewis loved the North Coast. He spent several family holidays here as a boy.
Frank Henry (who was one of his drivers in Ireland, the other being Arthur
Greeves) told me a few months ago that, in later life, the North Coast and
the Mourne Mountains were Lewis's two favourite places to visit. Lewis once had planned a family holiday to the area and had asked for rooms, I'm told, at the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae, near Dunluce.
MORE LEWIS SITES IN ULSTER
* The Old Rectory, St Mark's. The home of C. S. Lewis's grandfather, Rev Thomas Hamilton, until his death in 1905. C. S. Lewis would have often visited the house, which stands beside St Mark's Church. The front door has a 'Narnia Door-knocker', which the young C. S. Lewis would have seen at his eye-level, in the form of a lion (symbol of St Mark). ACE VENTURES sends out our newsletters from its office in this building.
* The Heyn Hall, St Mark's, where C. S. Lewis's portrait of his grandfather now hangs.
* The current Rectory of St Mark's, 4 Sydenham Avenue, (still within land owned by the Church) is a later construction and has no known association with C. S. Lewis.
* 'Sandymount', Cyprus Avenue, Belfast. Joan Murphy relates that this was her parental home. Joan's father was Dr J. T. Lewis, 'Joey' or 'Ted', brother of Albert Lewis. C. S. Lewis came to Sandymount to receive instruction in French and Latin from a governess.
THE GHOST OF C. S. LEWIS
Marilylle Soveran quotes Lewis; "The ghosts of the wicked old women in Pope 'haunt the place where their honour died'. I am more fortunate, for I shall haunt the place whence the most valued of my honours came. I am constantly with you in my imagination. If in some twilit hour anyone sees a bald and bulky spectre in the Combination Room or the garden, don't get Simon to exorcise it, for it is a harmless wraith and means nothing but good."
This was in a letter to Henry Willink of October 25, 1963, 'Letters of C. S. Lewis', second-last letter. The 'Simon' is Simon Barrington-Ward, then Chaplain of Magdalene College, Cambridge, now a Fellow of Magdalene College, who will talk about his memories of Lewis at the ASPECTS Literary Festival on Sunday 27 September [Tel: (international) +44 1247 271200 or (UK) (01247) 271200]. Rt Rev Barrington-Ward delivers the first of the Lewis sermons at Magdalene College Chapel this autumn.
OVER THE NEXT RIDGE - GIANTS IN THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS
Ray Schneider writes; "In his essay "On Stories" in the collection "Of Other Worlds", Lewis writes; 'I have seen landscapes (notably in the Mourne Mountains) which, under a particular light, make me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge.'"
DE WARRENNE
Lori Pieper writes to say that Lewis wrote (in 'Surprised by Joy') "My mother was a Hamilton . . . on her mother's side, through the Warrens, the blood went back to a Norman knight whose bones lie at Battle Abbey." Lori Pieper asks; Do you know the identity of this Norman knight?'
The Norman knight was William de Warenne, one of the greatest of William the Conqueror's barons. De Warrenne was given the hand in marriage of Gundreda, reputedly the Conqueror's bastard daughter. And her descendant was Gundreda Ewart, cousin of C. S. Lewis, who called her "the most beautiful woman I have ever seen" ('Surprised by Joy'', Chap III, p 42).
Though Gundreda, wife of William de Warenne, C. S. Lewis was descended from William the Conqueror and Charlemagne! And through this aristocratic Warren connection, C. S. Lewis was descended from the Plantagenet Kings of England, Kings of France, of Scots, and Princes of Wales. Also from the Founder of Clare College, Cambridge. The Warrens were great benefactors of Magdalen College, Oxford, as well, but I have been unable to trace a connection - yet there still may be one. Not bad for someone who once said he came from 'Welsh farming stock'. The Warrens established an Irish branch quite early in Co Cork.
Daughter of Gundreda Ewart, Primrose Henderson (who guided David Spence's party around St Mark's church some days ago) has given the Group an outline family tree of the Warren family, now lodged in the Belfast Lewis Archive.
'TED', 'JOEY' AND 'JOE'
To update the report of the June issue, here is the text of a message from Dr Alan Kerr, Belfast, to Mrs Kathryn Lindskoog-
'I am now very well again, I think, and getting back to my nromal activities. I went to see the Royal Victoria Archive records on Dr J T 'Ted' Lewis. He was born in the same year as CSL but there is no record of any connection. Ted was quite a character in many ways. In my time, when he was getting on, he was a bit of an eccentric but he was an exceptional medical student, getting a first class honours degree in Medicine. These tend to be few and far between and are given only every few years to outstanding students.
He was taken prisoner in WW2 but released after about two years in an exchange of Medical Prisoners. I gather that he could have returned to civilian life after that but insisted on staying on in the Army. He was the first British Doctor to enter Belsen at the end of the war.
Sadly that is about as much of note that was contained in the archives. The remainder was about dates of appointments, publications (only a few) and such matters.'
There is no reference to any medical relation of CSL's in either Hooper's COMPANION AND GUIDE or the Zondervan READERS' ENCLCLOPEDIA.
A medical doctor is mentioned on pages 304 and 376 of 'THEY STAND TOGETHER: C. S. LEWIS'S LETTERS TO ARTHUR GREEVES', ed Walter Hooper, 1979. The index reference is to 'Lewis, Dr Joseph 'Joey' (1898-1969)'.
The references are-
(a) p 304 (Hillsboro, Western Rd., Headington July 25th [1929]) ....a letter from my cousin Joey to say that they are putting him (Albert) into a nursing home for inspection to-day (the 25th) but, thank goodness, saying they don't suspect any growth, though they do suspect some inflammation.' and
(b) p 376 ([Hillsboro] Aug 13. 1930) 'Last night I slept very little owing to a pain I sometimes have wh. Joey says is the kidneys:'
That kidney complaint would kill C. S. Lewis in the end. Hooper footnotes (p 304) 'Dr Joseph Lewis (b. 1898), the son of Albert's eldest brother Joseph (1856-1908), who was appointed bacteriologist to the Belfast Infirmary in 1928, and later to become one of the leading blood specialists in Northern Ireland.'
Joan Murphy (nee Lewis), daughter (I believe) of 'Joey', writes (27th July 1998)-
'I remember a story about Warnie and Maureen [Moore] bathing from bathing boxes & a whole coach load envying them being retold with much hilarity by Daddy & Jacks who had observed it.'
Joan still writes 'JACKS' not 'JACK'. 'JACKS' was the older nickname used by CSL's Irish friends and relations.
Joan has said that her family lived in Newcastle, Co Down, and that CSL & Warren came to visit them every other year or so in the 1930s. On one occasion they brought Mrs Janie Moore and her daughter, Maureen. The story may appear in the book BROTHERS AND FRIENDS, by Warren Lewis. Joan Murphy returned as Guide to David Spence's American party Thurs 13-Sat 15 August 1998 (see above).
C. S. Lewis writes ('Surprised by Joy', Chap III, p 40)-'My father's elder brother "Uncle Joe" [ie father of 'Ted'/'Joey'-Ed] , with his family of two boys and three girls, lived very close to us while we were at the Old House. His younger son was my earliest friend, but we drifted apart as we grew older. Uncle Joe was both a clever man and a kind, and especially fond of me.'
THE LEWIS WINDOW, ST MARK'S CHURCH
Lewis's father was Albert JAMES Lewis. ST JAMES, the middle figure in the LEWIS WINDOW, carries the Communion chalice which Albert and his brothers presented to St Mark's Church, a tribute to their father from CS & Warren Lewis.
What of the boys' mother? Although known as FLORA (and referred to in this way in the Latin inscription) C S Lewis's mother was baptised FLORENCE. Rev Thomas Hamilton had been Anglican Minister in Rome. Might he have given his daughter the name of Dante's city after a visit? Might the white, Mediterranean, houses along the bottom of the window be a reference to Flora and the city of Dante? Tony Wilson points out the Italian CAMPANILE at the head of the right-hand part of the window. Might this be another reference?
ST JAMES is patron Saint of pilgrims, and the window displays the pilgrim's symbols of staff, bag and scallop shell. In 1932 CSL wrote his first book as a Christian, the PILGRIM'S REGRESS, in Belfast. Another connection with the window, dedicated in 1935?
WARDROBE WARS
Jack Haynes writes: The July/August 1998 issue of BOOKS & CULTURE contains a witty article by Paul Willis, a graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois) now teaching literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Each college claims to have THE wardrobe. Willis states the case advanced by each college.
Willis, after some years at Westmont, returned to Wheaton for a conference.
One oral set of announcements closed by inviting the conferees to come and see
THE wardrobe in the Wade Collection. ...
More I will not say but invite you to read the humorous suggested denouement.
Douglas Gresham has written that the Lewis brothers brought both wardrobes with them to Oxford from 'Little Lea'. The Westmont wardrobe stood in Warnie's bedroom, while Wheaton's black, oaken, wardrobe stood in the hall of 'The Kilns' - Richard Lewis, grandfather of CS, had originally made it in Wales.
* BOOKS
**REVIEW** 'THE C. S. LEWIS READERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA' [Zondervan, Michigan, 1998, $22.95. perhaps £22.95 in UK]
Terri Williams (Department of Church History, Faculdade Teologica Batista de Sao Paulo) writes- 'I just got my hands on THE C. S. LEWIS READERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA. What a great Lewis reference work! The articles are first rate--interesting and readable. And it includes good bibliographic entries for those who want to pursue further research.
The range of subjects is incredible. It includes people around Lewis, his books, individual articles and important letters, and a good many general subjects. For example there are articles on CSL's views on "Alcohol/Tobacco", "America", "Angels", "Dreams", "Evolution", "Inspiration", "Politics", "Purgatory", "Sex" and "Tradition".
The Readers' Encyclopedia also includes a 50+ page "brief" biography of Lewis which, though including a good bit of detail, moves right along. It's the best mid-range treatment I've read.
Much of my professional life is tied to reference works and one-volume encyclopedias. This one is truly outstanding in covering key topics, having excellent bibliographic entries and (more uncommon) being interestingly written. It's a steal at $22.99.'
* NEW!!- 'TOURING C. S. LEWIS'S IRELAND & ENGLAND', Perry C. Bramlett and Ronald W. Hogdon, Smyth & Helws, Macon Georgia, p/b, July 1998.
Produced with love, dedication and diligent research by our US Associate and friend, Rev Perry Bramlett, this trail-blazing and unique effort deserves much success. There are four main sections- Ireland, Oxford, Cambridge and England. Ireland features well, but with some errors. A FULL REVIEW WILL FOLLOW.
MUST-READ FICTION
David W. Landrum, of Cornerstone College, writes- 'The current issue of Christian Reader (Sept/Oct 1998) lists "Fiction that Every Christian Should Read" with the lead line: "for fiction lovers and those who have never turned a novel's page, here are 10 must-reads." The authors, in order, are John Bunyan, John Milton, Fyodor Dostoevsky (twice), C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), Victor Hugo, Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and George MacDonald (The Princess and the Goblin).
The judges were Jill Baumgartner, Angela Elwell Hunt, James C. Schaap, Luci Shaw,
Marshall Shelley, Bonne Steffen, John H. Timmerman, Paul J. Willis and John
Wilson.
The readers' votes listed these authors, in order, Frank Peretti, C. S. Lewis (The Screwtape Letters), Charles Sheldon, Laura Ingalls Wilder, C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), Bodie Thoene, Frank Peretti, Hannah Hyrnard, Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins, and Francine Rivers.
This divergence of views on what constitutes must-read literature illustrates the very great gap between popular and scholarly tastes within Christian circles. C. S. Lewis seems to be the only link between the two camps. Perhaps we in the scholarly world need to examine more closely how Lewis wrote in order to appeal to the general public.'
'THROUGH JOY AND BEYOND'
Art Butler writes: 'My wife and I just re-viewed the one-hour video biography of Lewis, which was made about 1979 with Walter Hooper as narrator and Peter Ustinov as Lewis's voice. It is only as complete as you can get into an hour, but very moving and worth seeing. Why? To re-use some words, it lets you see the "tangible background" of his life and makes him more real as a person. Hooper did a very good job as narrator.
We saw it for the first time ten or fifteen years ago at one of Mike Macdonald's summer institutes at Seattle Pacific University, but had no idea it was available on video until I stumbled on it in the Seattle Public Library catalog. The full title is "The Life of C.S. Lewis--Through Joy and Beyond" (ISBN # 1-56371-019-6). Christian Reader has it for sale at $15--it's in their Catholic Catalog .
I treasure my copy of the companion book "Through Joy and Beyond" by Hooper
(ISBN 0-02-553670-2). It has more still photos of Lewis and his family than I've seen anywhere else. It also is a good book to introduce people to Lewis.'
The video is available only in the US, and is not compatible with European video players. In his 'C. S. LEWIS:A COMPANION AND GUIDE', Walter Hooper notes that those who want to buy a copy should write to Bridgestone Management Group, 2091 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, California 92009.
FOUR BOOK REVIEWS BY REV PERRY BRAMLETT, June 1998
Review No 1. THE INKLINGS - C. S. LEWIS, J. R. R. TOLKIEN, CHARLES WILLIAMS AND THEIR FRIENDS (Humphrey Carpenter, HarperCollins, London, 1997, paperback, 287 pp.)
- The reissue (in Europe only, as of this date) of Mr. Carpenter's original work (1978) is a welcome event, as it is, as most all Lewis lovers know, the only book-length treatment of the Inklings. Although biased somewhat toward Tolkien (Carpenter also wrote the "official" biography on him), this book is very enjoyable to read, and no one has ever accused Mr. Carpenter of being dull or pedantic. The vignettes and anecdotes about the "lesser" Inklings such as John Wain, Hugo Dyson (especially the part about his role in the movie "Darling"), and Nevil Coghill are well-written, and Mr. Carpenter is always straight-to-the-point with his observations and criticisms. It is hoped that THE INKLINGS will be reissued in the U. S., and who knows, can we wish for a revised and updated version as well?
Review No 2. C. S. LEWIS'S LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK (compiled by James S. Bell, Jr., Honor Books, Tulsa, OK, 1997, 151 pp., paperback)
This small book (4 inches x 6 inches) is part of the "Christian Classics" series published by Honor Books, a small evangelical press in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Others in the series include Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley and Martin Luther. The entries include a quote from one of Lewis's books follwed by a scripture passage deemed appropriate to the quote. Also included are several "interesting facts about Lewis" under the heading "Did You Know?" Many of Lewis's religious works are included, and also some of his essays such as "Christianity and Culture" from CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS and "First and Second Things" from GOD IN THE DOCK. This is a good little book for the teenage or beginning reader of Lewis, or for the person who collects anything and everything published about him.
Review No 3. THE WISDOM OF C. S. LEWIS (Compiled by Brian Sibley, Lion Books,
Oxford, 1997, 48 pp., hardcover) -
This collection, arranged under thirty headings "to provide daily meditations for a month" includes a five-page intro to Lewis by the author. Mr. Sibley is well-known to Lewis fans as being the author of C. S. LEWIS THROUGH THE SHADOWLANDS and JOURNEY INTO NARNIA. This is an attractive little gift book that would be a good gift for the beginning Lewis reader.
Review No 4. A LOVE OBSERVED: JOY DAVIDMAN'S LIFE & MARRIAGE TO C. S. LEWIS (Lyle W. Dorsett, Shaw Publishers, Wheatton, IL, 1998, 167 pp., paperback) -
This book is the re-issue of Dr. Dorsett's acclaimed AND GOD CAME IN, published in 1983 (with a reprint in 1991). In his preface to this book, Dr. Dorsett writes that his purpose in writing the first book was "to rescue this brilliant woman from relative obscurity." He further states that this new edition was published to "correct the utterly false images of her as they appeared in two SHADOWLANDS films." Both movies relied on his original research and writing, "but in both films the producers distorted the facts for dramatic effect and to promote their own biases." The three distortions Dr. Dorsett mentions are: Joy's begging Lewis to marry her so she could remain in England, radiation therapy instead of prayer causing her remission of the cancer that later killed her, and Lewis "devastated and nearly robbed of his faith" after her death. While this new edition has no textual additions or changes, its publication is a welcome event. The changed title (and striking cover photo of Joy) will no doubt attract some new readers, especially in this Lewis centenary year. It is one of the best and most entertaining books in the "Lewis canon", and was well written and edited, with several excellent photos of Joy, her first husband William Lindsay Gresham, and sons David and Douglas. For one, this reviewer hopes that Dr. Dorsett's wishes will be granted. SHADOWLANDS was a distortion of Joy and her marriage to C. S. Lewis, and this book is a much-needed corrective.
* IN BRIEF
CENTENARY EDITIONS. HarperCollins are issuing special Centenary editions of many of Lewis's books in 1998 - larger pages, larger print, larger prices. An article appeared in 'PUBLISHING NEWS', 3 July 1998.
HIGH LIFE, a free magazine distributed by British Airways to its passengers, has an (unsatisfactory) article on C. S. Lewis in its July issue. If you would like a free copy, try contacting Premier Magazines at the address given below.
VISIT TO 'THE KILNS'. The Librarians' Christian Fellowship is organising a trip to 'The Kilns', 2.30 pm, Thursday 29 October, with lunch in Central Oxford at noon. Contact Graham Hedges of their Newsletter (address and details below).
CORRECTION The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr David Alderdice, attended Manchester College, Oxford, 'within the sound of the tolling of the bell at Magdalen College' NOT Magdalen College itself, as incorrectly stated last week.
APOLOGIES for the delay in sending out the e-mail version of the July issue, and the rather late appearance of this August issue. Summer and holiday season, I'm afraid.
* OUR CONTEMPORARIES
PRESBYTERIAN HERALD [Belfast], July/August 1998, £1.60, has an unsigned article on Lewis, 'Belmont's Gift to Christendom'.
THE LEWIS LEGACY 77th Issue (quarterly), Summer 1998. $10 annual donation towards cost suggested. Kathryn Lindskoog, 1344 E. Mayfair Avenue, Orange, California 92867.
LIBRARIANS' CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP NEWSLETTER, Issue No. 69, Summer/Autumn 1998. Minimum subscription for 1998 £13, concession £6.50. Graham Hedges, Secretary & Publications Editor, 34 Thurlestone Avenue, Ilford, Essex IG3 9DU. Tel: 0181 599 1310 (h), 0181 870 3100 (wk), E-mail fm128@viscount.org.uk.
HIGH LIFE, July 1998, Editor Mark Jones, Premier Magazines Ltd., Haymarket House, 1 Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE, Tel: 0171 925 2544, Fax: 0171 839 4491, E-mail high_life@premiermags.co.uk
BACK ISSUES OF 'C S LEWIS NEWS'
Each back issue costs £1 ($2), or £12 ($24) for issues 1-14 inclusive. Please send your order to; C S Lewis News (Back Issues), Ace Ventures, 217 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 2DH, Northern Ireland. Telephone (working hours) (01232) 672351 or (international) +44 1232 672351. Please enclose a cheque made payable to 'ACE VENTURES' [NOT to 'The C S Lewis Centenary Group].
ENDS
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