C.S. Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert — The Untold Love Story, Loss, and Faith Behind NarniaBefore he was the beloved author of The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis was a devout atheist who swore he'd never believe in God. In this episode of The Brit Lit Book Club, we trace the extraordinary true story of Clive Staples "Jack" Lewis — from a grief-stricken childhood in Belfast and the brutal boarding schools that shaped him, to his complicated thirty-year relationship with Mrs. Moore, his legendary friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings at Oxford, and the late-in-life marriage to Joy Davidman that would break — and ultimately deepen — his faith.We dig into the real history behind The Kilns, Lewis's Oxford home where every Narnia book was written, and the true story behind the wardrobe, Aslan, and the faun with the umbrella that started it all. Plus: the eerie coincidence linking Lewis's death to JFK's assassination, book recommendations for going deeper into his life and work, and a look at what it's like to walk in Lewis's footsteps on The Book Club Tour through Oxford, Magdalen College, and The Eagle and Child pub.Whether you're a lifelong Narnia fan, an Oxford Inklings enthusiast, or just love a good literary biography, this episode has it all: grief, unlikely friendship, faith, and one of literature's greatest love stories.In this episode:C.S. Lewis's childhood, the loss of his mother, and his years as a committed atheistHis controversial thirty-year relationship with Mrs. Janie MooreJ.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, and the Oxford friendships that led to his conversionThe true story behind The Chronicles of Narnia and The KilnsHis late marriage to Joy Davidman and the grief that followed her deathBook recommendations for C.S. Lewis biographies, Narnia scholarship, and moreA preview of visiting The Kilns, Magdalen College, and Oxford on The Book Club Tour📚 Books Recommended in This EpisodeJack: A Life of C.S. Lewis by George Sayer — Find Book HereC.S. Lewis: A Life by Alister McGrath — Find Book HereSurprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis — Find Book HereThe Most Reluctant Convert by David C. Downing — Find Book HereBecoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry — Find Book HereAnd God Came In by Lyle Dorsett — Find Book HereThe Narnia Code by Michael Ward — Find Book HerePlanet Narnia by Michael Ward — Find Book HereMere Christianity by C.S. Lewis — Find Book HereThe Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis — Find Book HereA Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis — Find Book HereThe Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis — Find Book HereThe Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings by Philip and Carol Zaleski — Find Book Here🍵 This episode is brewed with Bird & Blend Tea Co.'s "Oxford Comma" blend.📚 Explore literary travel to England, Scotland, and France with The Book Club Tour: thebookclubtour.com 📱 Follow along: @thebookclubtour on Instagram and FacebookKeywords: C.S. Lewis biography, Chronicles of Narnia history, Inklings Oxford, J.R.R. Tolkien friendship, The Kilns, literary podcast, British literature podcast, Joy Davidman, Mere Christianity, Christian apologetics history, Oxford literary tourLove this podcast? Imagine walking the Yorkshire moors where the Brontës found inspiration, visiting Jane Austen's writing desk at Chawton, and exploring Shakespeare's birthplace with fellow book lovers. We do all this and more on The Book Club Tour!Follow along with our adventures, or join us! 🌐 Explore our tours: thebookclubtour.com 📸 Instagram: @thebookclubtour 👥 Facebook: @thebookclubtour

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