5 Best C.S. Lewis Books that Everyone Should Read

Best C S Lewis Books

10 of the Best Books by C. S. Lewis – Interesting Literature

The 19 Best C.S. Lewis Books, According to Goodreads Members

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1

Las Crónicas de Narnia, Libro 1

Four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie, are sent to live in the countryside with the peculiar Professor Kirke during the Second World War. During a rainy day, Lucy discovers a large wardrobe that leads to an unusual, snow-covered forest. She meets a faun named Tumnus who informs her about Narnia, a magical realm under the control of a wicked White Witch causing endless winter. Tumnus confesses he was supposed to capture humans under orders from the Witch but sets Lucy free instead. Lucy returns to her siblings, sharing the tale of her adventure, but they dismiss it as a fabrication.

Edmund eventually follows Lucy into the wardrobe and finds himself in Narnia too, but he encounters the White Witch instead of Lucy. The Witch, presenting herself as Narnia's queen, manipulates Edmund into planning to bring his siblings to her with the help of a magical dessert. Eventually, all four siblings end up in Narnia, discovering that Tumnus has been arrested for treachery by the Witch. The children decide to help Tumnus, and with the guidance of a friendly robin, they meet Mr. Beaver. They learn that their only hope to save Tumnus is to join Mr. Beaver in meeting Aslan - a lion who is revered as a god or king in Narnia.

The children, along with the Beavers, journey to reach Aslan, experiencing magical seasonal transformations and receiving gifts from Santa Claus. Upon their meeting with Aslan, they are initially intimidated but grow to love him. Aslan promises to aid them in rescuing Edmund who, by now, has been captured by the Witch. A battle commences between Aslan's followers and the Witch's minions, in which the Witch plans to kill Edmund. However, Aslan offers his own life in exchange for Edmund's, and the Witch willingly murders Aslan instead. After his resurrection, Aslan and the children defeat the Witch, and the children are crowned as rulers of Narnia. After years of ruling, they stumble upon the wardrobe gateway again, returning to their own world where no time has passed. They recount their experiences to Professor Kirke, who assures them that they will return to Narnia someday.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

El León, la Bruja y el Armario

In an undisclosed manner, an array of correspondences come to light between an experienced demon named Screwtape and his naive nephew, Wormwood. The mentor, Screwtape, provides guidance to his novice nephew on how to lead a British man, known as "the Patient," astray and into the clutches of Hell. Wormwood, having received training at a college for demons, is assigned the task of tempting the Patient. However, Screwtape is unimpressed by the education his nephew received, blaming the college's inefficient director, Slubgob. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that the Patient, a caretaker to his demanding mother, has recently embraced Christianity, presenting a new challenge for Wormwood. 

Throughout the early exchanges, Screwtape advises Wormwood to manipulate the Patient's understanding of Christianity, urging him to view it as a personal, internal belief rather than a way to interact with the world. To succeed, Wormwood is instructed to create conflict between the Patient and his mother over trivial matters at home. As the invisible Wormwood shadows the Patient, he subtly encourages negative emotions and unhealthy diversions. Meanwhile, Screwtape, a proven soul-winner for Hell, operates within Hell's "Lowerarchy," a monstrous corporation responsible for devising the best tactics to ensnare souls on Earth.

When World War II engulfs the globe, the Patient experiences fear over potential conscription. Wormwood is directed to manipulate the Patient's uncertainty and use it to his demonic advantage. The Patient then encounters a group of non-Christian friends, and Wormwood seeks to cultivate hypocrisy within him, making him view himself superior to both his humble church companions and his new intellectual friends. However, the Patient experiences a spiritual reawakening, strengthening his faith, making Wormwood's task even more difficult. Following the Patient's religious renewal, Screwtape advises Wormwood to tempt the Patient with sexual desires. Yet, the Patient falls in love with a Christian woman who influences him positively. During this period, Wormwood accuses Screwtape of heresy to Hell's authorities for contradicting Hell's teachings about God's love for humans, causing Screwtape to transform into a centipede in anger. Nevertheless, Screwtape manages to clear his name by explaining his statement was merely an analogy. As the war intensifies, the Patient's life is threatened, and Wormwood is advised to exploit his fear. However, the Patient's humility due to his self-perceived cowardice makes him a difficult target. Eventually, the Patient loses his life in a German air raid and his soul ascends to Heaven. As a result of his failure, Wormwood is forced to replace the Patient, with Screwtape relishing the idea of consuming his nephew, emphasizing the absence of mercy in Hell.

The Screwtape Letters

Las Cartas de Screwtape

Mere Christianity

Mero Cristianismo

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 6

Las Crónicas de Narnia, Libro 6

The Magician's Nephew

El Sobrino del Mago

The Problem of Pain

El Problema del Dolor

The Great Divorce

El Gran Divorcio

A Grief Observed

Un Dolor Observado

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2

Las crónicas de Narnia, Libro 2

Prince Caspian

Príncipe Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3

Las Crónicas de Narnia, Libro 3

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

La Travesía del Viajero del Alba

Cosmic Trilogy, Book 1

Trilogía Cósmica, Libro 1

Out of the Silent Planet

Fuera del Planeta Silencioso

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7

Las Crónicas de Narnia, Libro 7

The Last Battle

La Última Batalla

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 4

Las Crónicas de Narnia, Libro 4

The Silver Chair

La Silla de Plata

The Four Loves

Las Cuatro Amores

The Shape Of My Early Life

La Forma de Mis Primeros Años de Vida

Surprised by Joy

Sorprendido por la Alegría

14 Best CS Lewis Books of All Time

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1

The Screwtape Letters

Mere Christianity

The Magician's Nephew

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 6

The Problem of Pain

The Great Divorce

A Grief Observed

Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3

Out of the Silent Planet

Cosmic Trilogy, Book 1

The Last Battle

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7

The Silver Chair

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 4

The Four Loves

Surprised by Joy

The Shape Of My Early Life

Sources

What To Read Next

14 Best CS Lewis Books of All Time

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1

The Screwtape Letters

Mere Christianity

The Magician's Nephew

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 6

The Problem of Pain

The Great Divorce

A Grief Observed

Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3

Out of the Silent Planet

Cosmic Trilogy, Book 1

The Last Battle

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7

The Silver Chair

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 4

The Four Loves

Surprised by Joy

The Shape Of My Early Life

Sources

What To Read Next

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