The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens

C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens

Author: Michael Ward

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Millions of readers have been captivated by C. S. Lewis's famed Chronicles of Narnia, but why? What is it about these seven books that makes them so appealing? For more than half a century, scholars have attempted to find the organizing key-the "secret code"-to the beloved series, but it has remained a mystery. Until now. In "The Narnia Code," Michael Ward takes the reader through each of the seven Narnia books and reveals how each story embodies and expresses the characteristics of one of the seven planets of medieval cosmology-Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Luna, Mercury, Venus and Saturn-planets which Lewis described as "spiritual symbols of permanent value." How does medieval cosmology relate to the Christian underpinnings of the series? How did it impact Lewis's depiction of Aslan, the Christlike character at the heart of the books? And why did Lewis keep this planetary inspiration a secret? Originally a ground-breaking scholarly work called "Planet Narnia," this more accessible adaptation will answer all the questions.

About the Author

Michael Ward is Chaplain at St Peter's College, University of Oxford. He is the author of Planet Narnia (2008) and the co-editor, with Ben Quash, of Heresies and How to Avoid Them (2007).

Back Cover

Unlock the secret to Narnia that has mystified readers for over half a century . . .Millions of people have been captivated by C. S. Lewis's classic Chronicles of Narnia--but some questions have never been successfully answered. Why are there seven books? Why are only three of them obvious biblical allegories? Does the series lack coherence, as Lewis's critics (and even some of his friends) claimed? Many have attempted to discover the organizing key-- the "secret code"--of the series, but the structure of Narnia's symbolism has remained a mystery. Until now. In The Narnia Code , Michael Ward presents an astonishing literary discovery. Drawing on the whole range of Lewis's writings, Ward reveals the single subject that provides the link between all seven novels. He explains how Lewis structured the series, why he kept the code secret, and what it shows about his understanding of the universe and the Christian faith. Originally published as the groundbreaking scholarly work Planet Narnia , this accessible adaptation holds the key to reading the Chronicles and understanding Lewis in a whole new way.