Who was the author who influenced CS Lewis' Narnia books?

Question

I read once that there was a female author who was a great influence on CS Lewis' Narnia books. She was a children's author and it is thought that one of her books influenced Lewis into using the a wardrobe as the main transportation to Narnia. Also, I remember reading that much of the early part of "The Magician's Nephew" was influenced by her, especially the portrayal of Jadis.

For the life of me, I cannot remember her name. Anyone know?

No, no, no. Besides Tolkien. This was a FEMALE author. I know Tolkien was an influence, but it was someone else, other than him.

All three so far are wrong. It was a specific female author who waas a popular children's author in the early 20th century. Her influences were literary; it has nothing to do with the look of Narnia as a world, but on the style of prose and a few of the situations. I just can't remember her name.

OK, I did some more googling and the woman I was thinking of was E. (Edith) Nesbit (http://en/wikipedia.org/wiki/E. Nesbit). Her work "The Story of the Amulet" was the one that influenced Jadis. Thanks though all.

Answer 1

As far as I can tell, one scholar who might have had an influence on Lewis and his works was Dorothy Sayers, a writer who occasionally came to speak at the Oxford Socratic club that Lewis was president of. She was also a christian and he encouraged her to come to stimulate intellectual talks between believers and non believers. They also spoke on the BBC together and Lewis asked her to write essays for a collection he was compiling in memory of a mutual friend. But she was not really a children author.

Lewis was also married for two years to a communist, Jewish American intellectual named Joy Davidson. She was a published author and poet, though I don't think she wrote children's books.

Finally, are you sure the wardrobe does not have anything to do with the death of Lewis' mother when he was a boy? I think that he was traumatised not only by the death, but by the reaction his father had as well.

Others wrote that he was influenced by Tolkien, the author of the lord of the rings books among others. It is true so far that they were contemporaries and discussed their writings together, but they were both part of a group of writers around Oxford they called the Inklings. The Inklings together had far more influence than Tolkien alone.

Answer 2

The tale of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was highly influenced by the story of Jesus in the Christian Bible. Aslan was used to represent Jesus, sacrificing himself for the good of his people, and then rising again.

I don't know who you're talking about as far as a female author, but I thought I'd just mention this.

Answer 3

Since Harry was not brought up in a proper way, he goofed off with Ron most of the time instead of spending time with Hermione at Hogwarts. Ginny may have slipped Harry a love potion, or else Harry wouldn't be kissing her without thinking when she threw her arms around him.

Answer 4

Lewis reportedly based his depiction of Narnia on the geography and scenery of the Mourne Mountains and "that part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough". (Guardian Unlimited 2005) Lewis cited George MacDonald's Christian fairy tales as an influence in writing the series.

Answer 5

Tolkien was a man.
He and Lewis did influence each other but the greatest influence on Lewis was his Christianity which is obivious in the symbolism (Aslan/Christ) in his books

Answer 6

Tolkien - The Hobbit