2006-09-23 10:50:17 · 7 answers · asked by kswiffie 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
C S Lewis cited these as most influential in his life:
1. Phantastes by George MacDonald
2. The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton.
3. The Aeneid by Virgil
4. The Temple by George Herbert
5. The Prelude by William Wordsworth
6. The Idea of the Holy by Rudolf Otto
7. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
8. Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell
9. Descent into Hell by Charles Williams
10. Theism and Humanism by Arthur James Balfour
Additionally, these were cited in "The C.S. Lewis Readers' Encyclopedia":
The Bible (especially the Psalms and New Testament
Centuries of Meditations by Thomas Traherne Confessions by Augustine
He Came Down from heaven by Charles Williams
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales
The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy Sayers
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
The Sermon on the Mount by Charles Gore
Philosophy of the Good Life by Charles Gore
Serious Call to a Devout & Holy Life by William Law
An Appeal by William Law
Smoke on the Mountains by Joy Davidman
Theologia Germanica
Works by Jane Austen, Scott and Trollope
He was a convert to Christianity, and great friends with J R R Tolkien. Having read every possible book he could in his childhood, he developed a great love for Norse mythology, and also Celtic. His writings are also influenced by his study of Medieval literature, particularly allegory - this is evident in the Narnia Chronicles, along with Christian allegory.
He also wrote: "I wrote the books I should have liked to read. That's also been my reason for writing. People won't write the books I want, so I have to do it for myself," and he believed that the proper reason for writing a children's story is "because a children's story is the best art form for something you have to say".
He is best known as a writer of children's books, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and as a Christian apologist.
2006-09-23 12:16:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.
2006-09-23 10:58:28 · answer #2 · answered by meech 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Wit and Wisdom of Ben Franklin.
2006-09-23 11:24:42 · answer #3 · answered by branchcaptain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, he was friends with J.R.R. Tolkien and very much favored the "Lord of the Rings" books.
2006-09-23 11:11:50 · answer #4 · answered by torreyc73 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I imagine one would be the Bible since he was a Christian apologist and wrote many Christian allegories, i.e., "The Chronicles of Narnia."
2006-09-23 10:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing the Bible was Right Up There.
2006-09-23 10:57:14 · answer #6 · answered by hquin_tset 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely the Bible would be one...
2006-09-23 13:47:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋