30 review for Deep Magic, Dragons and Talking Mice: How Reading C.S. Lewis Can Change Your Life

1. 

   4 out of 5

   MrBReads – Aug 31, 2014

   This book is an exploration of the beliefs of C. S. Lewis and how he might respond to some of the biggest questions that he addressed in his life and career. It has an interesting format, imagining that the reader is having eight meetings with Lewis and exploring what he might have to say on such varying subjects as Heaven, Education and the meaning of life. This book was always going to score highly in my ratings, save of course for an utter disaster, due to my appreciation for the works of Lewi This book is an exploration of the beliefs of C. S. Lewis and how he might respond to some of the biggest questions that he addressed in his life and career. It has an interesting format, imagining that the reader is having eight meetings with Lewis and exploring what he might have to say on such varying subjects as Heaven, Education and the meaning of life. This book was always going to score highly in my ratings, save of course for an utter disaster, due to my appreciation for the works of Lewis, and McGrath has done a good job of drawing out what Lewis might say on some interesting topics. His conversational tone seemed a little forced at times ('As the kettle boils, we might begin by asking him...'), but I understand and appreciate the purpose. He is attempting to portray Lewis not as a faceless author, but as the man Clive Staples Lewis who battled with his own life circumstances and beliefs, and enjoyed sitting in a pub surrounded by good friends. For all the perhaps slightly forced pleasantries, McGrath succeeds to this end. Any fan of C. S. Lewis and/or his works should read this book which is delightfully easy to read without being basic, especially if, like me, you desire to see beyond the 'famous author' and into the thoughts and beliefs of the man. I particularly enjoyed reading his thoughts on Education and believe that McGrath has ticked every box that he intended to (this is key - anyone expecting a full-blown biography should instead turn to a full-blown biography!) and produced a lovely little book!

2. 

   5 out of 5

   David Sinck – Apr 28, 2014

   I like Dr McGrath and his work and I like C S Lewis. He wrote the book no doubt but I doubt he wrote the blurb to this one. It was not like having a lecture with Lewis. It was however having a lecture about Theology and Lewis with Dr McGrath. He clearly loves God and Christianity, and equally loves Lewis and his works. I loved this book, but not for the reason the publisher wanted me to. They should have the confidence to trust us readers that Dr McGrath's name is as much a recommendation as Mr I like Dr McGrath and his work and I like C S Lewis. He wrote the book no doubt but I doubt he wrote the blurb to this one. It was not like having a lecture with Lewis. It was however having a lecture about Theology and Lewis with Dr McGrath. He clearly loves God and Christianity, and equally loves Lewis and his works. I loved this book, but not for the reason the publisher wanted me to. They should have the confidence to trust us readers that Dr McGrath's name is as much a recommendation as Mr Lewis's is.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Nick Dawe – Jan 17, 2018

   Clear summaries of Lewis’ writings on a variety of key themes. Enjoyable to read, and even moving in some areas (particularly regarding suffering, heaven, and accounts of Lewis’ own life). The title and blurb are perhaps a little unhelpful however – for instance, the title infers that much of the book is dedicated to Lewis’ Narnia stories, which is really only a fraction of what this is about.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Emilia Skirmuntt – Aug 20, 2017

   If you are interested in authors beliefs and Christian propaganda backed up by some works of CS Lewis that's a book for you. But otherwise there is not much more to it. If you are interested in authors beliefs and Christian propaganda backed up by some works of CS Lewis that's a book for you. But otherwise there is not much more to it.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Colin – Dec 02, 2017

   Alister McGrath is usually a very good writer, clear concise and intelligent but I found the style of this book rather clumsily written, there is a lot of repetition such as the same quotes repeated throughout the book and even longer passages which are almost identical to previous chapters. It is still intelligent however and is a great introduction to the range of Lewis' writings not just the well known works. Another issue was that it came across as a book on Christian apologetics aimed at Ch Alister McGrath is usually a very good writer, clear concise and intelligent but I found the style of this book rather clumsily written, there is a lot of repetition such as the same quotes repeated throughout the book and even longer passages which are almost identical to previous chapters. It is still intelligent however and is a great introduction to the range of Lewis' writings not just the well known works. Another issue was that it came across as a book on Christian apologetics aimed at Christians (using words like we and our which might make any non Christians readers feel excluded which isn't necessary even when discusing Lewis' religious beliefs)

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Lindsey Stirling – Aug 01, 2018

   I really enjoyed this book - both thought-provoking about God and an insight into the life of CS Lewis. I read it in short sections over a few years and it was easy to dip in and out of. I will definitely be coming back to re-read at some point.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Brittany O'bryant – Feb 27, 2018

   I would say that this book is a good introduction to CS Lewis for those who are looking to learn a bit about his life and a few big thought ideas. I enjoyed it and it has encouraged me to read books by CS Lewis in the future.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Paul Trembling – Sep 23, 2016

   The author is clearly a C.S. Lewis fan. No problem, so am I, and I found his look at Lewis's thinking, as shown in his writings, to be deep and thought-provoking. McGrath doesn't quite have Lewis's gift for bringing clarity to some of these challenging topics, but to be fair, few people do. What McGrath does do is to share his own extensive knowledge and understanding of Lewis and his writings in an original and effective way. I certainly enjoyed this distillation of his knowledge about Lewis, a The author is clearly a C.S. Lewis fan. No problem, so am I, and I found his look at Lewis's thinking, as shown in his writings, to be deep and thought-provoking. McGrath doesn't quite have Lewis's gift for bringing clarity to some of these challenging topics, but to be fair, few people do. What McGrath does do is to share his own extensive knowledge and understanding of Lewis and his writings in an original and effective way. I certainly enjoyed this distillation of his knowledge about Lewis, and I think it would be a very useful introduction to Lewis's work for anyone who isn't already familiar with him.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   D – Mar 11, 2016

   Interesting biography of C.S. Lewis, using The Narnia Chronicles to outline his beliefs and discuss serious events in his life.

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Beks – Feb 09, 2015

    The is a great little book for anyone who enjoys CS Lewis's work - and not just Narnia. The is a great little book for anyone who enjoys CS Lewis's work - and not just Narnia.

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Roland Harvey –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Marie Perrott –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Samuel Scott –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Philip –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    stephen Norman –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Kristi –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Becca –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Mayowa Adebiyi – May 18, 2015

    Succeeds in making you want to read more Lewis, even everything by him.

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Sandi Durnford-Slater –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Nina Clare –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Maddey Watson –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Jason Wilson –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Lucy Paine –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Catriona+/Colin Crawford –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Rb –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Daniel –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Lelde Keice –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Kate –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Jasmine –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Caroline –