A few days ago, I came across a wonderful website called Socrates in the City, in which, Eric Metaxas (author and speaker) interviews various individuals about various topics. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living" and the purpose of the forum is to discuss life's big questions with informed individuals who can challenge us to take a better look at them.
The first interview I watched was with Dr. Michael Ward, who made a fascinating discovery in C.S. Lewis's Narnia Chronicles. Apparently, Lewis had hidden certain things in each story and never told a single soul!
"What the Bird Said Early in the Year"
The first interview I watched was with Dr. Michael Ward, who made a fascinating discovery in C.S. Lewis's Narnia Chronicles. Apparently, Lewis had hidden certain things in each story and never told a single soul!
Over the decades, many have felt that something was wrong with the Narnia stories... that something seemed out of place. J.R.R. Tolkien didn't even finish reading them because he was too frustrated with what he found. Well the truth is, without Ward's discovery - Lewis's secret - they had good reason to feel that way. Something was missing and elements of the story simply didn't make sense without the missing key to the stories.
His book is called Planet Narnia (or The Narnia Code, which is a simplified version). Here's what Walter Hooper, a personal friend of Lewis, had to say about it: "I cannot contain my admiration. No other book on Lewis has ever shown such comprehensive knowledge of his works and such depth of insight. This will make Michael Ward's name."
So way to go, Lewis! And thank you, Michael Ward. All this and more in the interview below.
You can't not watch this! ;)
You can't not watch this! ;)
Click here to visit Michael Ward's website
And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to tell you about Walter Hooper.
Walter Hooper is the man responsible for publishing many of Lewis's previously unpublished work. Towards the end of Lewis's life, he and Walter had become friends and Walter became his secretary. Hooper is now the literary adviser of Clive's estate and has shared some truly great things with the world.
Because of Walter Hooper, you can now read 3 volumes of letters that Lewis had written, essays, poems, short stories, and more. Interestingly enough, Hooper saved all of this from being burned at the hands of Lewis's brother, Warnie, after Lewis had passed away!
And wait! There's more good news! Eric Metaxas interviewed him as well at Socrates in the City. This is definitely worth a watch if you have time!
The Life and Writings of C.S. Lewis
Noteworthy Works Published Because of Walter Hooper
Noteworthy Works Published Because of Walter Hooper
Of Other Worlds, The Dark Towers and Other Stories, The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis (Volumes 1-3), Poems, and On Stories.
(You may also enjoy Letters from Father Christmas & Tales from the Perilous Realm, both written by J.R.R. Tolkien, and As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt.)
In closing, I'd like to leave you with a poem from Jack himself...
"What the Bird Said Early in the Year"
I heard in Addison’s Walk a bird sing clear:
This year the summer will come true. This year. This year.
Winds will not strip the blossom from the apple trees
This year nor want of rain destroy the peas.
This year time’s nature will no more defeat you.
Nor all the promised moments in their passing cheat you.
This time they will not lead you round and back
To Autumn, one year older, by the well worn track.
This time they will not lead you round and back
To Autumn, one year older, by the well worn track.
This year, this year, as all these flowers foretell,
We shall escape the circle and undo the spell.
Often deceived, yet open once again your heart,
