C.S. Lewis

I admire this man so much, more than any other author I've wrote about thus far. His incredible imagination, his beautiful books of Christianity, and his remarkable faith make me love Lewis like a favourite uncle. All who knew him spoke of his kindness, humour, and intelligence. I hope you'll share my deep admiration for the great C.S. Lewis.

     Early Life

Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. At the age of four he insisted that everyone would call him Jack, for what little boy would want the name Clive Staples? His parents had difficulty displaying emotion, both to their sons (Jack had an older brother, Warren) and to each other. The result was that Jack was raised by his nurse Lizzie, in which he would go on to write could "discover no flaw" and was filled with "nothing but kindness, gaiety, and good sense". It was Lizzie who told him of magic and opened his mind to the world of witches, leprechauns, and fairies. Jack and Warren were great friends and spent hours exploring their home and the yards surrounding. Though his parents were loveless, Jack certainly did not grow up without love in his home.

     Writing Career

Like so many of our authors, Jack loved to read. Books would console him through the absence of his brother (away at boarding school) and the death of his mother when he was only ten years old. Jack studied Greek and Latin Literature at Oxford and stayed on to become a Fellow and a Tutor (meaning he was a sort of professor). He began writing both fiction and non-fiction after his life-changing conversion to Christianity. His first novel was The Pilgrim's Regress (1933), which was about his experience withPilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Other than his world-famous The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis is most remembered for his non-fiction, which is adored and admired, especially within Christian community. His famous Mere Christianity, An Allegory of Love, The Four Loves, and his autobiography Surprised By Joy still touch and teach many. But as I said, it was the adventures in the world of Aslan are his best-loved works.

Christianity in the style of the famous

     The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

As children, Warren and Jack would play in an attic in their home. It was there that Jack created a world called Boxen where there were magical creatures and animals could talk. This is believed by many to be the beginnings of Narnia. While his girlfriend (with which he was not on very good terms) was hospitalized, Jack felt he must write a fairy tale addressed to children or he might "burst". This is what led him to write his iconic series.

During WWII, Jack had three schoolgirls who

were evacuated from the city come and live with him. They inspired him to write a story about children in their same perdiciment. He knew he wanted to do a story about two girls and two boys, but their names would go through some changes before he settled on Pete, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.

Of course, much of the story's theme and plot was influenced by Jack's faith. The allusions to God and Jesus' sacrifice with the death of Aslan is quite clear. This was important for Jack, as he felt the message was meant to be heard by the very young and the very old in a way they might see and relate to differently.

The book was published in 1950 and would be followed by six other novels about Narnia and the people who travel there. This is arguably one of the most famous series ever written, and it has inspired countless children and adults alike.

C.S. Lewis, or Jack as he preferred to be called, is an inspiring figure to me. I don't know why, but he feels like a kind old uncle to me, and I'm pretty protective of him. I can't wait to read more of his works such as his autobiography, for I think his life and conversion was just fascinating. I hope you've learned to love Jack and that you'll read more from this amazing author.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliography_of_C._S._Lewis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

Davenport, John. C.S. Lewis. Chelsea House Publishers: Philadelphia, 2004

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Whenever someone mentions Narnia, I get a warm feeling and can't help but smile. I think a lot of other people feel this way. The world C.S. Lewis created is not just a place in a book; it is a world so many feel a real connection to. I thought it would be very fitting to use the story that started it all as my final blog book. I know many of you know this story, but I hope you'll enjoy once again stepping through the wardrobe into a world of talking animals, dwarves, fauns, witches, and the noble lion Aslan.

     A Brief Synopsis

One summer, four children named Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy were sent to live with an old Professor in the country, for it was too dangerous for them to stray in the cities. The Professor's house was enormous, and one day while exploring Lucy discovered a wardrobe. She stepped inside and found hersel

f in a wintery wood, standing at the base of a lamp post. After meeting a faun named Mr. Tumnus and having tea with him, Lucy discovers that the faun, under orders from the White Witch, was ordered to turn any human he found over to her. Seeing that Lucy is sweet and innocent, he agrees to help her get home.

When she returns, none of her siblings believe what she has gone through. Later, Edmund steps in the wardrobe and meets the White Witch. The Witch charms and coerces Edmund into bringing his siblings to meet her. A few weeks later, all the children find themselves in Narnia, the name of the wintery country, and set out to see Mr. Tumnus only to discover that he has been arrested by the Witch for helping Lucy. Mr. Beaver, a friend of Tumnus, takes them to his home and tells them of Aslan, the king of all who has returned to Narnia and is their only hope of

rescuing Mr. Tumnus and defeating the White Witch. During this time Edmund, angry with his family, sneaks out and betrays them to the Witch. It is now a race to see who will make it to Aslan first: the children or the Witch.

Aslan is like nothing the children have ever seen. He is a great lion, kind and good, but fierce and powerful as well. Edmund is rescued from the clutches of the Witch, but at a terrible cost. Aslan, telling no one, has agreed to be killed in Edmund's place. The girls follow him at night and see the terrible deed. The Witch, believing her problems to be solved, sets out to destroy Peter's army and reclaim her kingdom. What she does not know is that deep magic runs through the Stone Table on which she killed Aslan, magic that when an innocent soul is killed for the sake of another, death itself will begin to turn backwards. The Witch was quite surprised to see the great lion bounding over the battlefield. She was even more surprised to be killed at his hand.

The four children, accompanied by Aslan, made their way to Cair Paravel, the true castle of Narnia, to be crowned kings and queens of that blessed country. They would rule there for many years, creating a Golden Age in Narnia. As they grew, they became known as Peter the Magnificent, Susan the Gentle, Edmund the Just, and Lucy the Valiant. They had completely forgotten their previous life in England until one day, while hunting the famed white stag, they came across the lamp post. Pushing through the trees, they begin to feel not branches, but coats, and all of a sudden they tumble out of the wardrobe, children once again.

     My Thoughts

This story is so magical. I just adore it. And the messages in this tale are stronger than any of the other books I've written about. The horror of Edmund's betrayal, the impact of Aslan's sacrifice, and the amazing triumph of good over evil is simply awe-inspiring. There is so much one can learn about life in these pages.

I love Edmund. Yes, he is horrible and mean in the beginning of the book, but the transformation he goes th

rough is so real, so relatable, that you can't help but respect him. He is just so human; he is scornful, tempted, regretful, and redeemed. The forgiveness shown to him by Aslan and his family is touching and beautiful. It's worth reading the whole book just for this story arc.

C.S. Lewis effectively created a world that you can completely immerse yourself in. The description was so unique (and not over-done) that Narnia felt like a place unlike any other. I can think of nowhere else I'd rather live.

This book is incredible. It is not only an exciting, magical adventure, but a powerful, redemptive story. This is by far my favourite book series, and this book isn't even my favourite in the series! Lewis created so much more than a story; he created a world of wonder and imagination, a place where good always triumphs, but people aren't always perfect. I don't think I can recommend this book more highly. It is near-perfection.

Kenneth Grahame

As I research and write about these authors, I notice several similarities and differences. In ways, Kenneth Grahame is like many of our other aurthors, but in other ways he is very different. I did enjoy learning about this man of whom I knew nothing a few days ago, and I am happy to share this new knowledge with you.

     Early Life

Kenneth Grahame was born on March 8, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. When he was five years old, Grahame's mother died giving birth to her fourth child. Believing to be unfit (or just lazy), Grahame's father gave the four children to their grandmother to be raised. Granny Inglis lived on a large, spacious property near a river. The children loved this place, and it is believed that this is where Grahame received some of his inspiration for his timeless tale.

Unlike most of our authors, Grahame did not attend post-secondary school. Though he wished to go to Oxford, his grandmother believed it to be too expensive so he went to work at the Bank of England. He worked there quite well, being promoted to company secretary at thirty-nine, one of the youngest men to ever hold the position. Things were going well until one day in 1903 when a man came in demanding to see the Governor who was not there at the time. Grahame met him instead and was shot at three times (though not hit). His health and well being deteriorated after this, and he retired early in 1908.

Grahame married a woman named Elspeth in 1899 and they had one son, Alastair, who was nicknamed "Mouse". This boy would be an inspiratio to Grahame in the years to come.

     Writing Career

Grahame was always writing. In his early twenties he was writing little stories for British magazines. He wrote several, somewhat autobiographical, stories about four orphaned children and their guardians that would be later published to great acclaim. His two compilations of short stories The Golden Age (1895) Dream Days (1898), though not greatly remembered now, were much loved when released. Dream Days contained the story The Reluctant Dragon, which would later be made into a Disney movie. It wasn't until ten years later that Grahame would publish his masterpiece.

     The Wind in the Willows



Alastair Grahame



When Alastair was about four years old, his father began telling him bedtime stories about a Toad. These stories would later be the basis of the last chapters of The Wind in the Willows. After this, Grahame vacationed alone for a while to regain his strength. During this time he wrote more stories, now including the Badger, the Mole, and the Rat, in letters to Alastair. Surpisingly, the first publishers rejected the story, but it was eventually published in October 1908. Reviewers, hoping for a third collection of short stories, gave it poor reception, but the public adored it. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited Oxford in 1910, he was asked who he would like to meet. The four men he asked for included Grahame and Rudyard Kipling.

Unfortunately, the book's success was hindered in the home of the Grahames. Alastair had beed born blind in one eye and with several health problems. When he began attending school, he saw himself as a misfit and didn't fit in very well. In 1920, while walking home, he crossed over a train track and was struck. While it was officially ruled as an accident, his life and feelings at that time pointed to suicide. The Grahames were devestated by the loss of their only son and spent most of the next four years abroad, staying far from home.



After the death of Alastair, Grahame wrote very little. This was a sad occurence not only for him, but for the literary world. To think of what could have been created had his life not have been turned upside down is painful. But what he did create has lasted the ages. The beautiful story of the lives of creatures along an English river is so unique and lovely. I am so saddend that a man who wrote such beauty was forced to live through such tradgedy. I admire Grahame for living on despite such pain. He was truly a great man.

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Grahame
http://www.kennethgrahamesociety.net/biography.htm

The Wind in the Willows

I knew lessabout this story than any other I have done. I saw the movie a very long time ago, and what I remembered was this: a crazy toad went to jail because of a car, and I didn't like the movie. That was all I knew of Kenneth Grahame's timeless tale, and fortunately, my feelings towards the movie did not carry over to the book.

     A Brief Synopsis

The story focuses around four characters and their life beside an English river. One day the Mole, tired with his underground life, decides to explore the world above. Here he meets the Water Rat, and they become such great friends that the Rat invited the Mole to live with him. Eventually we are introduced to Toad, an eccentric wealthy animal obsessed with motorcars and the Badger, a quiet, gruff, wise old animal who lives a solitary life in the Wild Wood.

While other adventures pop up in the book, the main story is that of Toad. The Badger comes to the home of the Rat and the Mole and informs them that they must do something about Toad. He has wrecked his sixth motorcar and has had trouble with the police, not to metion time in the hospital. The freinds go to Toad Hall and stage an intervention, confining Toad to bed until he sees the errors of his lifestyle. With a bit of cunning, Toad manages to escape and, overcome by desire, "borrows" a motorcar from a pub and takes it for a joyride. This gets him arrested, and we do not hear from him for several weeks.

It seems that, during his stay, the jailer's daughter (a human) becomes fond of him and devises a plan for escape. Toad dresses up as a washerwoman and, after a great deal of troublesome adventures, makes his way to the Rat's home. It is there he learns that his beloved Toad Hall has been taken by the weasels, who shoot at anyone they see approaching. Fortunately, the Badger has a plan. Toad's father once told the Badger of a secret tunnel beneath Toad Hall. Their plan is that, while the weasels are celebrating the birthday of the Cheif Weasel, the four of them will sneak in and retake the Halll.

The plan works marvelously, and soon the four friends are settling down to supper. Toad, it seems, is finally on the road to recovery. While he still bursts out in selfish, egotistical rants, he is able to catch himself, recognize his error, apologize, and conduct himself in an orderly manner. The friends are greatly relieved, and this is where our story ends.

     My Thoughts

Unfortunatley, I was unable to include all the lovely tales of the Rat and the Mole and their lovely life by the rive

r. There is simply too much to tell and not enough time to tell it. However, I will tell you more about these lovely animals. Grahame's four characters are brilliantly created. Each animal has a specific, distinct, and unique personnality, and each character grows throughout the novel. The Mole is the epitome of curiousity, naivitey, and good intentions. He is absolutely taken in by the new sights and sounds of this new world above, and wants to explore it all. The Rat is my favourite character. He is the kindest, most selfless, good-natured creature you could ever meet. He is always putting the needs of others before himself, and is very supportive in a way that is not patronizing. The Badger, as I said, is the noble, wise, slightly frightening patriarch of the area. Everyone knows that he is not one for society and all that goes with it. But even he will grow by the end of the tale. Finally, Toad is the archetype selfish thrill-seeker. He does what

he wants when he wants it and will be stopped by no one.

Each of these characters transform by the end of the book, and for that I am in awe of Grahame. The Mole becomes wiser, the Badger becomes more open, and Toad becomes humble. These are remarkable character arcs, and they're what makes this book a masterpiece.

You may have noticed that I've been referring to the animals as "the" Rat and "the" Mole, all except for Toad. This is how the book was written, and I find it to be an interesting way of setting apart Toad as a creature more related to man than to the animals. One thing I didn't quite love about Grahame's style was the amount of description. There was a great deal of it, and although it was a beautiful setting, I feel like there was a tad too much. This comes from a reader that doesn't generally enjoy much description, so I'm sure the opinion would change from reader to reader. I did love the setting though. I loved the Rat's absolute adoration for his river. It reminded me of Mary's love for her garden.

This was a lovely book. The peaceful yet interesting aura of the river life was very calming. I felt really content while reading this story. I did find it a bit too descriptive, but that is no reason to enjoy the charming world of the Rat, the Mole, the Badger, and the wild Mr. Toad.

Anna Sewell

Anna Sewell is very different from our other authors so far. Black Beauty wasn't only her biggest novel, it was her only novel. There is very little information available about her. I was very sad to hear this, for her work, while scarce, was absolutely phenomenal.

     Early Life

Anna Sewell was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England on March 30, 1820. Her mother was a successful author of children's books, which may explain her future endeavours. Unfortunately, when Sewell was fourteen she slipped while walking home from school and severely injured her ankles. Because of improper treatment, she was unable stand or walk without a crutch for the rest of her life. Her mother was a great help in her life and was always very important to Sewell.

    Black Beauty

It took Sewell six years to write her beloved classic. For most of that time she was very ill and even writing was a struggle. Her mother was a great help to her and would transcribe anything she was able to write on scrap paper. Sewell never planned for Black Beauty to be a children's book; her plan was to "to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses". The book was published in 1877 to great success. The world recognized her literary genius in her groundbreaking autobiography from a horses perspective. 

Unfortunately, Anna died five months later on April 30, 1878. While her work lives on, her many facts of her life have faded to obscurity. I hope that this will help you to remember a woman who cared for horses and did what she could to help them, even though she herself was bedridden with injury. I think Anna can be an inspiration to us all in how anyone can make a difference.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Sewell 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Beauty

Black Beauty

This is probably the first children's classic that I ever read. When I was little, I was two things: a bookworm and a horse nut. Black Beauty was a perfect marriage of the two. I loved experiencing the world through a horse's eyes. So without further ado, I give you Anna Sewell's timeless Black Beauty.

     A Brief Synopsis

Black Beauty was born on a small farm in 19th century England. His mother was a favourite of the farmer's, so both were treated very kindly. Beauty had a gentle upbringing with little excitement. The farmer was wise in his ways and broke Beauty in a manner that kept him gentle and trusting. When he was two years old, Beauty was sold to Squire Gordon and sent to live at Birtwick Park. These were the happiest times in Beauty's life, as the Squire, his family, and his staff were all very kind. One such staff member is the stable boy, Joe Green, who nearly kills poor Beauty with a foolish mistake. It is here that Beauty meats Ginger, a chestnut mare that has not had the same sort of upbringing as himself. She was very harshly broken and taught only that man is cruel. However, Birtwick Park and its abundant kindness begins to heal her until she is just as sweet tempered as any other horse. Yes, those were happy days, but they were not to last. Lady Gordon takes very ill and the whole family must move to the south where she may get well. This means the estate and all the horses must be sold. Fortunately for Beauty, he and Ginger are sold as a pair, and a new adventure begins.

The Earl of W, the pair's new owner, is an alright sort of man. His wife however, is a slave to fashion. She wishes for the horses to be driven with a bearing rein, the pinnacle of fashion at the time. This rein is a horrible thing that forces horses to hold their head high when pulling a coach. It is very painful on their necks and makes it very difficult to pull uphill. Ginger, familiar with the rein, lashes out and refuses to wear it, injuring a groom. She is treated very differently from then on, eventually being sold alone.

One night, a new stable master took Black Beauty out on an errand. It was very late that he came out of the tavern that served as his "errand". As they began riding, Beauty could tell that Smith was not quite himself. When a nail came loose on Beauty's foot, they didn't stop. When the shoe came off completely, they didn't stop. Beauty's foot was being so painfully cut by the rough road that he fell, injuring his knees and tossing Smith over his back. Smith never moved again and Beauty's scarred knees lost him his home, for Lady W would not have a scarred horse.

Beauty is then sold to a man who rents out horses and then a man who knows nothing about horses before he ends up in the care of Jerry Barker. Jerry is a jovial cab driver with a lovely family. While not wealthy by any means, the family is happy and Beauty serves dutifully as a cab horse. This is a hard but good life for Beauty but again, it is not to last. One night, Jerry and Beauty are left waiting in the bitter cold after a party for patrons who had promised to be finished hours before. Jerry takes very ill and is forced to abandon the cab business. His friend promises to find a good place for Beauty.

Beauty's new life is hard. Not only is he made to pull very heavy loads, he is reacquainted with the bearing rein. Poor lighting in the stable cause Beauty to nearly lose his sight, and he eventually collapses from overwork. He is then sent to a horse fair in hopes that someone will buy him. Three kind ladies and their coachman see Beauty and take a liking to him. The coachman recognizes the horse, for he is Joe Green, the stable boy from Birtwick Park! Beauty is taken to his final home, treated at last as a horse should: with kindness and love.

     My Thoughts

While it doesn't look it, this has been my most brief synopsis. There is sooooo much that I wasn't able to include for the sake of space. Beauty has so many incredible experiences that are so unique because of the point of view in which they are told. I think Anna Sewell must have been part horse, because the way she captured a horse's view of life seemed so real, so true. That's what I love about this book; it gives you a whole new outlook on life. You see through the eyes of this horse as he's treated gently, harshly, and apathetically. 

The book is so delightful. You don't really need to read it from beginning to end, because it's almost like an autobiography. Actually, it's exactly like an autobiography. The book is several different experiences and stories put together by the one who experienced them. Cool, I never realized that until now :)

Here's an interesting side note: Because of the horrible and painful depiction of the bearing rein from a horse's perspective, there was a huge outcry among the people of Britain and the US. This led to the eventual abolishment of the use of this rein in the UK and influenced people in the States to demand humane treatment for horses.

As a horse-lover, this book is everything I ever wanted as a kid. As a lover of classic children's lit, I love the amazing art of Sewell's only book. This book is a masterpiece that should be read by everyone, horse-lovers and non horse-lovers alike.

A. A. Milne

I always knew, at the back of my mind, that Winnie-the-Pooh began as stories told by Milne to his son, but I never knew the full story. For this reason I was very excited to learn about Milne and Christopher Robin and their freind Pooh.

     Early Life

 

Alan Alexander Milne was born on January 18, 1882 in Kilburn, London. Milne went to school as a boy and was greatly inspired by one of his teachers, H.G. Wells, whom he would go on to describe as "a great writer and a great friend". In 1913, Milne married Dorothy de Selincourt. After he went off to serve in WW1, they had a son famously named Christopher Robin. 

     Writing Career

Milne enjoyed writing verse as much as stories. After graduating from Cambridge he began to write for the magazine Punch, eventually becoming assistant editor. Before Christopher Robin was born, Milne wrote 18 plays and 3 novels. He was also a screenwriter who, in the year his son was born, saw four of his films made. The beginning of Milne's children's work was When We Were Very Young, a book of children's poems published in 1924. His most famous work would come the following year.

     Winnie-the-Pooh

In WW1, a Canadian soldier overseas bought a bear cub and named her Winnipeg, or Winnie for short, after his home. After the war ended Winnie, who had become a sort of mascot for the Britisg Brigade, was given to the London Zoo. Christopher Robin was fascinated by the bear and would beeline to her cage during every trip to the zoo. He called his own teddybear Winnie (although his was very much a boy), and this became Milne's inspiration. He needed to contribute a story to the Christmas Eve Issue of the Evening News, so he decided to write down a bedtime story he had told Christopher Robin. This would bWinnie-the-Pooh. To keep his son away from the public's eye, Milne anounced that the book's sequel The House at Pooh Corner would be his final "Christopher Robin" book.

ecome the very first chapter of



Christopher Robin's original toys





Milne's writing style is so unique. I haven't read anything like it. He so incredibly captured the flurry of a child's mind and the minds of a child's imaginary friends. Like L. Frank Baum, he was also a loving and protective father. I admire how this man, who's fame came about by bedtime stories, wasn't swept up in the excitement of fame and fourtune. Christopher Robin was a very lucky boy.

Sources
http://www.just-pooh.com/history.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._A._Milne
http://www.poohcorner.com/Alan-Alexander-Milne-Author.html