The Oxford Inklings
Lewis, Tolkien and Their Circle

I assumed I would like this book having heard the author speak in Oxford, but I was surprised by just how much I loved it. Very well written with new information in some places but surprising connections in other places. He also detailed some information on walking tours Lewis took which helps me in......more

This is a brilliant book by my friend and scholar Colin Duriez about the dynamic friendships of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, Hugo Dyson, Warnie Lewis, and other members of the Inklings literary group that would meet in Oxford for beer, cider, pipe tobacco, banter,......more

A friendship is an elusive beast, being made of the affections and interests and shared histories, so how much more difficult is it to write a biography of a group of friends than it is to write a biography of a particular person. In The Oxford Inklings, Duriez attempts to tell the story of a most s......more

The name “Inklings” fairly describes what Lewis called the “inconsolable longing” we feel in this world for a world we knew before - and which he defined as Joy (in Surprised by Joy). After Lewis’s conversion, each member of the group shared two things: Christianity (thought not necessarily the same......more

4.5 stars This is a very well-researched book. It's apparent that the author has studied not only the works of the writers highlighted here but also their correspondence and other writings about them as well. It is a great overview of each of the members of the Inklings and covers their initial introd......more