Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding and loving tribute. . .
Review: . . .to one of the top Christian writers of the 20th century.

George Sayer knew CS Lewis from 1934 until Lewis' death in 1963, first as a tutor, later as a friend, and finally as an extremely close friend.

While other biographies have been written by persons with axes to grind or by persons whose own connection to Lewis was minimal, Sayer writes from the perspective of a true insider.

While he minces no words -- the "difficult" aspects of Lewis' life are certainly explored in-depth, he treats the subject with respect and true affection.

Mr. Sayer is, himself, a career academic in the field of English, and thus is able to enlighten the casual reader about aspects about the "literary Lewis" which would otherwise not be recognized. I've been a Lewis fan for 25 years and yet was unaware of his significant contributions in the field of literary criticism. Also enjoyable was the discussion of Lewis' own tastes in reading as well as his major influences.

While the influence Charles Williams had on Lewis (especially in "That Hideous Strength") was addressed, I was disappointed that Tolkien's influence on Lewis was minimized. This was, I believe, an oversight.

All in all, though, I highly recommend this extremely readable volume.

Rating:
Summary: Solid, reliable portrait of an old friend
Review: As large as C. S. Lewis looms in today's intellectual landscape, and for all the different ways he manages to find a readership, whether as a literary critic, a Christian apologist, or fantasy novelist, it is somewhat surprising that we do not yet have a truly first rate biography. Until that volume comes along, this affectionate biography/memoir by Lewis's student/friend George Sayer is the best that we have.

The great problem in C. S. Lewis scholarship at the moment is that the bulk of the books dealing with his life tend to be overwhelmingly pious and respectful (the St. Jack bios) or intent on tearing holes in that portrait (A. N. Wilson). What we really need is a first rate biography that manages to capture the magic and appeal of Lewis's personality, explains his ongoing intellectual and imaginative appeal, and yet does not willfully overlook the man's flaws. Sayer captures the personality marvelously, gives some hints as to his intellectual appeal, but presents a fairly sanitized version of Lewis's life. No doubt this is out of respect and affection, but Lewis doesn't emerge as a warm flesh and blood human being. For instance, while alluding to his relationship with Mrs. Moore, Sayer assumes a position of agnosticism as to its nature. It is an important if disturbing chapter in Lewis's life, because it potentially reveals a great deal about his personality.

One thing that does emerge in Sayer's biography is the closed reserve that Lewis seems to have carried with him all his life. On the one hand, Lewis seems to have been a very accomodating, kind, and helpful soul, and yet, he is hard to get to know. One gets to know his thoughts, and yet never gets to know the man who thinks them. One can read both SURPRISED BY JOY and A GRIEF OBSERVED, and come away from them not having a strong sense of how Lewis felt about things, about the predomenant emotions in his life. Sayer doesn't completely dispell this emotional reserve that Lewis projects, but he probably gets as close as anyone has.

Still, I don't believe this is the biography we are waiting for. It will do until the definitive one comes along. My recommendation for those wanting to know about Lewis's life is to read this one in conjunction with A. N. Wilson's. In the latter Wilson far too gleefully deconstructs the carefully constructed portrait of Lewis that some of his more somber admirers have constructed. I value the Wilson as a corrective, but one will not get much of a sense of why Lewis was such an attractive individual for so many, both in his books and in real life. For that, you will need to look to this excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Best biography of C. S. Lewis
Review: At one time I had read most of the biographies out there on C. S. Lewis. This one is by far the best. Sayer had a long friendship with Lewis and tells what he knows about Lewis and does not theorize about what he does not know. The reader feels the warmth and respect Sayer has for Lewis and also the puzzlement one has with close friends whose strange behaviors in the past are not fully explained.

Sayer addresses the C. S. Lewis's friendship with Tolkien, Dyson and other Inklings. Sayer does a good job of relating Lewis's conversion to Christianity. Sayer explains the arguments and personal struggles that surrounded the conversion. Sayer writes about Joy and Mrs. Moore, which gives a more fuller and more generous picture of both women than some other biographies. Sayer has the background for literary criticism and writes about Lewis's poetry, the Chronicles of Narnia and most of his other writings.

The style of the writing is easy to read and accessible. It is a very enjoyable read.



Rating:
Summary: the definitive biography.
Review: I am truly astounded at some of the less than 5-star reviews... have these reviewers read any OTHER biographies of Lewis? This one is definitely the best by far for many reasons, not the least of which is the personal touch that comes from Sayers twenty-nine year friendship with Lewis. It's one thing to know via secondary research that "with his meal Jack liked to drink a couple of glasses of red wine"... but Sayers clinked glasses with him! With Sayers, Lewis spoke frankly about his personal temptations, spiritual difficulties, creative processes, sundry preferences and worries.

This biography can be read with novel-like enthusiasm by even peripheral Lewisites... and those of us already up to our necks will not mind holding our breath as this book rolls over us. Rather than use this forum to berate another popular Lewis biography whose author has the initials A.N.W., I'll just say that this one is a clear note that rings true.

Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Biography on Lewis
Review: I first read this work in the early nineties and thought it was good. I recently re-read it and realize, it is not merely good, it is great. Sayer has, without a doubt, written the definitive biography on the 20th century's greatest thinker.

The book brings the reader on an intimate journey through the life of Lewis, often times with stunning detail. From Lewis' parents and his childhood, his education, teaching career, and friendships, to his life at the Kilns, the meetings (as well as the people) in and with the Inklings (a particular favorite section of mine), and his life work, marriage to Joy and how he carried on without Joy.

Sayer also details how Lewis actually created certain works such as his Narnia series. Also, his radio broadcasts are detailed as well as his lectures given to the public. Moreover, he details several of Lewis' close friends (mainly from the Inklings) who read his manuscripts and offered certain advice. Sayer describes those who inspired Lewis when he read (e.g. George MacDonald, William Morris, etc.) and those who helped Lewis throughout his writing career.
Who else could possibly tell the story of Lewis' life than one of his colleagues. Sayer knew Lewis and had developed a strong friendship with Lewis through education and through participating in several meetings with the Inklings.

If you want to know more about Lewis not only on an intellectual level but a deeper personal level as well (i.e. really get the know the man Lewis), then you will need no other biography besides this one. I highly recommend this work.

Rating:
Summary: a gentle portrait
Review: This is a restrained and courteous book.

Sayer wishes us to know those things about Lewis that he knew, and does not care to speculate on the rest. Foremost is his admiration of Lewis as a tutor. Anyone who has read Lewis may easily imagine what it would have been like to learn from him. On the darker side, he touches on Lewis sadistic fantasies as gently as he does on the grief of his bereavement. It is altogether a "gentlemanly" book.

One can almost imagine a pipe-smoking Lewis in some vaguely scholarly empyrean greeing Sayer's arrival.

CSL: "I hear you wrote a little book about me: what on earth did you tell them?"

GS: "Oh this and that. Only the things I knew and liked. Nothing to frighten the faithful or indulge the salacious."

CSL: "Good chap. Now let's get down to serious literary criticism."

Rating:
Summary: In Defense of Sayer
Review: This is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Lewis. It's from the viewpoint of one of his friends, who somewhat reluctantly agreed to write the book. It is a bit unfair to characterize Mr. Sayer as a sychophant that glosses over Lewis' more difficult attributes. He was a friend, and to that extent he deserves to be listened to, just as much, or more than, someone like A.N. Wilson who is clearly not a friend, and more than once misquotes Lewis to make a negative point in his biography. Check the letters. . .trust me.

Sayer includes/lets you into a part of Lewis' private world, as does Douglas Gresham in his wonderful book, and to me these are valuable things. Sure it is good to learn about the negative elements, and to bring your idols back down to earth, but it's equally as important to hear what is good about them, for this is why they are to be admired in the first place. To that extent, this is a great book, and perhaps the first you should read, if you intend to read books about Lewis. It's not perfect, but it doesn't have an agenda either, and when it comes to Lewis scholarship, that is a rare thing.

The most interesting part for me: the anecdote about Joy Davidman having a penchant for using the "F" word. I could do nothing but smile.. . . just like Lewis to marry such a tough woman.

Rating:
Summary: In Defense of Sayer
Review: This is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Lewis. It's from the viewpoint of one of his friends, who somewhat reluctantly agreed to write the book. It is a bit unfair to characterize Mr. Sayer as a sychophant that glosses over Lewis' more difficult attributes. He was a friend, and to that extent he deserves to be listened to, just as much, or more than, someone like A.N. Wilson who is clearly not a friend, and more than once misquotes Lewis to make a negative point in his biography. Check the letters. . .trust me.

Sayer includes/lets you into a part of Lewis' private world, as does Douglas Gresham in his wonderful book, and to me these are valuable things. Sure it is good to learn about the negative elements, and to bring your idols back down to earth, but it's equally as important to hear what is good about them, for this is why they are to be admired in the first place. To that extent, this is a great book, and perhaps the first you should read, if you intend to read books about Lewis. It's not perfect, but it doesn't have an agenda either, and when it comes to Lewis scholarship, that is a rare thing.

The most interesting part for me: the anecdote about Joy Davidman having a penchant for using the "F" word. I could do nothing but smile.. . . just like Lewis to marry such a tough woman.