Strongly divided evaluations of C. S. Lewis''s work persist today based on his perspectives and writings on religion, particularly Christianity. Those who approve tend to see his work as of value primarily because it gives his academic and cultural value to his advocacy of Christianity. Conversely, those who disapprove of that advocacy tend to see the worth of his writing as vitiated by his apologetic agenda. Wesley Kort''s book sets a new standard in C. S. Lewis studies, arguing for an alternative perspective that considers Lewis''s work as a whole, investigating why and at what points Lewis turns to religion generally and to Christianity particularly in order to advance his arguments.Reading C. S. Lewis: A Commentary provides a captivating look into the many cultural, academic, and literary contexts that influenced his many texts. The book examines the standing of Lewis''s work, how best to approach his work, as well as the understandings that lead to mistaken readings of him. This indispensable C. S. Lewis resource comments separately on each of more than a dozen of Lewis''s major books, connecting readers to the particular literature, religion, and philosophy of C. S. Lewis. These commentaries are free-standing essays, analyses and interpretations of texts that can be read individually and in any order. Scholars and fans of C. S. Lewis will appreciate Kort''s commentary and guide to the texts in this new light.
Industry Reviews
"[A]ccessible and practical."--Philip Irving Mitchell, Religion and the Arts
"A rich presentation of C.S. Lewis' place in the literary and academic culture of Oxford and Cambridge, with fresh, exciting views on his space trilogy, Narnia, apologetics, and his standing as a moral philosopher. A must for serious students of this writer, whose importance increases with every decade." --Philip Zaleski, co-author of The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield
"Reading C.S. Lewis should be read by Lewis devotees and detractors alike. In this remarkably wise and balanced account of Lewis' imaginative and apologetic works, readers of every persuasion will discover an intellect more capacious, a sensibility more congenial, and a world-view more inclusive and edifying than those of the sectarian Lewis created and somewhat distorted by our own cultural wars." --Sanford Schwartz, author of C.S. Lewis on the
Final Frontier: Science and the Supernatural in the Space Trilogy
"Wesley Kort's achievement is to have written a treatment of C. S. Lewis that is, first, synoptic, in that it covers generously yet concisely the broad ambit of Lewis's writing. Kort is at once a sensitive and a sensible reader of Lewis, who takes seriously Lewis' thought while refusing to play the 'are you for him or are you against him?' game. Kort has given us an 'experiment in criticism' of an order that Lewis himself would surely have appreciated."
--Richard A. Rosengarten, The University of Chicago Divinity School
"It is clear that Kort has provided a commendable volume that is certain to be enjoyed by C. S. Lewis fans everywhere. I recommend it with enthusiasm!"--John Knight, Liberty University School of Divinity
"Kort describes himself as 'neither a devotee nor a detractor' of Lewis, and this is one of the strengths of his work. He provides honest commentary throughout his analysis when warranted, highlighting points that he thinks Lewis explains well and demonstrating places where he thinks Lewis has fallen short, especially from today's perspective." --Reading Religion
