description: C. S. Lewis's extremely popular works of fiction have been widely discussed in terms of the ideas and religious themes they express and defend, but less often in terms of their purely literary qualities. Ironically, Lewis, himself a noted literary critic, would have objected to any such one-sided analysis of his works. To concentrate exclusively, or even primarily, on the content of a work without a consideration of its form and style was, in his view, a seriously unbalanced method of criticism.The Longing for a Form corrects this critical imbalance by supplying a theoretical background and detailed close readings for a better understanding and appreciation of Lewis's fiction as works of art. Following three general studies, a section of the book is devoted to each to Lewis's major efforts in fiction-the Ransom trilogy, the Chronicles of Narnia, and Till We Have Faces-considering the distinctive literary features of each group. Throughout these collected essays, three themes stand out that distinguish Lewis's technical skill: objectivism, longing, and the literary artist as creator.
language: English
title: Longing for a Form: Essays on the Fiction of C. S. Lewis
titlecomplete: Longing for a Form: Essays on the Fiction of C. S. Lewis
ratings_count: 9
publisher: Baker Book House