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Jack's Life: The Life Story of C. S. Lewis
( 12 )
Douglas Gresham claims that Jack Lewis was the finest man and the best Christian he has ever known. Of course, Jack to Douglas is C. S. Lewis to the rest of the world. The informal address Gresham uses to refer to the great writer is indicative of the intimacy he shared with Lewis for a dozen years, living in England as Lewis's stepson. Jack's Life is an affectionate account of days now long gone. It is a personal memoir of a man who touched many in the classroom, even more with his pen, and made a significant, lasting, and eternal impression on one young man. Douglas Gresham is uniquely qualified to offer such an extraordinary portrait.
Anonymous
Posted November 13, 2006
I recently read this book after having it on my shelf for almost 10 months -- I wish I read it earlier! It only took me a few days to read because it's fairly simple, but I think that's where the beauty of it is. I'm 28 and grew up on the Chronicles of Narnia, and I think I would have enjoyed this book just as much when I was 9 or 10 as I did today. I felt like I was being told a story of someone's life instead of merely reading one. I think if you are a fan of Lewis, then you should definitely read this book. It will give you insight into his books, and make him come alive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 10, 2010
I bought this book for my daughter (15) who was studying Lewis in her freshman English class. I thought it was a good choice because it is one of the few books written by someone who actually knew Lewis -his stepson. My daughter enjoyed how it was written, claimed several times it was "sweet" and that she enjoyed the personal stories. It gave her enough info to get an "A" on her paper from a very rigorous college prep school.
She enjoyed it so much that she has been encouraging me to read it as well. I think I will do that....Especially because I know so little about him (I never had to study him while I was in school). His faith encourages me.
WawaLW
Posted March 1, 2010
This slim book is the biography Gresham believes should be written about the step-father he loved. Other bios of C. S. Lewis were written by people who did not meet Lewis in person and therefore Gresham wants to correct the mistaken impressions they give. Gresham has deep Christian faith he apparently learned from Lewis and writes about Lewis' life from that perspective. Therefore, be prepared for sentences such as "... it was in a most unlikely place ... that Jack encountered Christ."
For a loving and wise, thoughtful man it is surprising that Lewis never understood it was important to take care of himself in order to be able to care for the numerous people who passed through his life. Gresham frequently describes Lewis as overworked, or exhausted, or both, from his efforts to earn a living and manage his family responsibilities. In his early 60's Lewis acquired illnesses that a healthier man could have recovered from, but Lewis died a few years later. Gresham reports that Lewis was content with his difficult situation and accepted his approaching death calmly.
JanieAslan
Posted October 10, 2009
For anyone who has read or presently reads anything that C.S. Lewis has written, this book, by Douglas Gresham is poignent, true and real because he knew Lewis as a man, a writer and a father. First hand information from one who lived with Lewis, noticed and observed his incredible life is able to lend a closer look to this extremely prolific writer. One who knew the Holy Scriptures, lived them, taught them, beleived in them, and wrote the most magnificent stories call the "Narnia Chronicles"; a collection of stories that is profitable for anyone of any age to read. Douglas Gresham has discoverd a way to personalize his step-father even more in this book about "Jack". Read this book if you are a C.S. Lewis fan.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2009
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Posted April 8, 2010
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Posted February 28, 2009
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Overview
Douglas Gresham claims that Jack Lewis was the finest man and the best Christian he has ever known. Of course, Jack to Douglas is C. S. Lewis to the rest of the world. The informal address Gresham uses to refer to the great writer is indicative of the intimacy he shared with Lewis for a dozen years, living in England as Lewis's stepson. Jack's Life is an affectionate account of days now long gone. It is a personal memoir of a man who touched many in the classroom, even more with his pen, and made a significant, lasting, and eternal impression on one young man. Douglas Gresham is uniquely qualified to offer such an extraordinary portrait.