Short ramble about #cslewis ...
I've read George Sayers' biography of C.S. Lewis but just ordered Alistair McGrath's one published in 2015.
For me, when I'm reading a book—even fiction—I'm allowing the author to teach me something that I haven't thought of before. I want to know where they're coming from, especially if they're offering advice. Lewis wrote with the express purpose of teaching, although his genius was in passing on the wisdom and lessons from previous generations in ways that we moderns can consume.
It's important to me that Lewis tried to practice what he preached. He gave away a lot of money to other people and causes, following his own advice about the virtue of Charity that our giving should be more than we can easily afford. He took care to respond to the letters that people sent him, especially those from children. One person who knew him called Lewis "the most thoroughly converted" man he knew.
Although it's not much talked about directly, we have a feeling that his relationship with Janie Moore was more than just that of an adoptive mother. He never permitted people to ask him about it. My own thought is that he was romantically involved and that once he became a Christian, he tried to do what he thought was right. She was apparently difficult to live with and I think it was a cross he bore in obedience to our Lord.
One thing that I've thought about recently is how Lewis didn't want his own celebrity. My feeling is that he saw his celebrity as an avenue to do the Lord's work—in his case, apologetics in various forms, both fiction and nonfiction. But I don't think he liked being famous necessarily and certainly didn't seek out the stage. What a refreshing example, especially in today's clout-chasing world!
Anyway, I'm a little hesitant about McGrath's biography. It's supposed to show that Lewis was actually hard to get along with. Perhaps. I wouldn't be surprised. He was human, after all.
Pauline Baynes
