Once Upon a Wardrobe
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4.6 • 141 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
For everyone who has fallen through the wardrobe door, experienced the magic of Narnia, and longs to know more, New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan delivers a heartfelt story that is simultaneously a fascinating look into the bond between siblings, a peek behind the curtain of Lewis's personal life, and an homage to the life-changing magic of stories.
1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?"
Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers.
Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life.
After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."
Once Upon a Wardrobe is a captivating historical novel that deftly combines fact and fiction. It's an emotional journey into the books and stories that make us who we are. It's perfect for book clubs, for anyone who has ever longed to know more about Narnia, and for anyone whose life has ever been impacted by a story.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Callahan (Becoming Mrs. Lewis) mines the life and work of C.S. Lewis in this enjoyable exploration of the power of imagination to see one through difficult times. In 1950 Worcester, England, eight-year-old George Devonshir, born with a weak heart, is often restricted to his bed, where he devours adventure and fantasy books. After he comes across The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, he asks his sister Megs, a student at Oxford, to ask C.S. Lewis, who is a don at her university, where the idea for Narnia came from. After being caught on Lewis's property mustering up the courage to knock on the door, she's invited into his home, where Lewis and his brother tell her the story of their lives. Lewis's childhood, Megs learns, has many parallels with George's: he was often ill and comforted himself with wildly imaginative stories. As Megs relates the stories to her brother, she comes to appreciate how fantasy and real life can interact in productive, beautiful ways. While Callahan's prose verges on saccharine—nearly every page contains a reminder of George's illness or his family's devotion to his happiness—the heartfelt characters will win over sentimental readers. Callahan's fans will love this.
Customer Reviews
Once upon a Wardrobe
Truly engaging from the get go. From the first page to the last. Not one of those books where everything turns out alright. Even in the depths of sorrow strength can be found, we just have to look beyond our selves as George did. Our stories can inspire, teach and give hope, we have to keep writing the story of our lives and never give up. Fore after we are gone our stories can go on. That is leaving a legacy, the things that will never decay with the test of time.
Incredible
By far one of my favorite books in recent years. Well done!
Nostalgic stroll
Wonderfully written story to bring us back to the world of Narnia and walk through beautiful Oxford. A true reader’s delight.