lunaerea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gretchenlouise's review
5.0
Anyone who has walked through the wardrobe with Lucy into the land that is “always winter and never Christmas” will love this glimpse into true stories from the early years of C.S. Lewis’ life.
In a unique split-time fact-and-fiction approach from the author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, we’re introduced to the fictional Megs Devonshire and her little brother George, who wants nothing more than to find out the story behind Narnia and his beloved Aslan. When Megs interviews Lewis at The Kilns, we’re swept in and out of tales from Lewis’ own life.
Heartbreaking and beautiful, I wanted every line of Once Upon a Wardrobe to be true. (The audiobook is also exquisite!)
In a unique split-time fact-and-fiction approach from the author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, we’re introduced to the fictional Megs Devonshire and her little brother George, who wants nothing more than to find out the story behind Narnia and his beloved Aslan. When Megs interviews Lewis at The Kilns, we’re swept in and out of tales from Lewis’ own life.
Heartbreaking and beautiful, I wanted every line of Once Upon a Wardrobe to be true. (The audiobook is also exquisite!)
lisabisa01's review
5.0
I enjoyed this story. It warmed my heart to read how the story of Narnia can mingle with real life's pain. George's dream to know the answer behind Narnia provides love, hope, and a sibling connection thats definitely to be envied. So good!
cstanovich's review
5.0
It was exactly the story I wanted to hear… magic.
Each time that I sat in my green living room chair, Patti Callahan’s words rang in my ear and led me to move into the story. There were times where I felt like I was sitting by the fire with Meg & Jack at The Kilns or watching as Meg told George another story or even riding along on the great adventure. Oh it was absolutely wonderful. She talked about stories and their power in a way that filled me with delight.
“There is a light, a bright light lamppost where all stories begin and end.”
Each time that I sat in my green living room chair, Patti Callahan’s words rang in my ear and led me to move into the story. There were times where I felt like I was sitting by the fire with Meg & Jack at The Kilns or watching as Meg told George another story or even riding along on the great adventure. Oh it was absolutely wonderful. She talked about stories and their power in a way that filled me with delight.
“There is a light, a bright light lamppost where all stories begin and end.”
kaloughl's review
5.0
This book was the holiday movie I was craving but couldn't find. It's a Princess Bride-style storytelling historical fiction that perfectly elicits the magic and comfort of discovering a favorite book and wanting to know everything about it - who the author is, what inspired them, and most importantly: IS IT (can it please be!) REAL? Perfect for literally any season (though especially poignant during the holidays), this book will bring you so much joy and fill your heart with love.
susanlbussey's review
4.0
"Once upon a wardrobe, not very long ago, and not very far away,..."
The true parts of this book are the stories told to Megs by Mr. C. S. Lewis about his life.
There is a very good note at the end of the book from his stepson (his mom was the character in the book Becoming Mrs. Lewis written by this same author).
My favorite part is the story that Padraig writes about George and gives to Megs for her to finish. It's very touching.
I first re-read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (109 pages) before beginning Once Upon a Wardrobe.
The true parts of this book are the stories told to Megs by Mr. C. S. Lewis about his life.
There is a very good note at the end of the book from his stepson (his mom was the character in the book Becoming Mrs. Lewis written by this same author).
My favorite part is the story that Padraig writes about George and gives to Megs for her to finish. It's very touching.
I first re-read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (109 pages) before beginning Once Upon a Wardrobe.
mjdolce's review
5.0
What an incredibly lovely book. Instead of trying to come up with my own words to describe this beautifully written piece of fiction, I'll let two notes taken from the end of the book speak for me.
"I advise you to read this book, then wait for a while, and then read it again. For while it may not be Narnia, there is magic in it. And that deeply moved me."
-- Douglas Gresham, stepson of CS Lewis
"My editor at Harper News, Amanda Bostic once said to me, 'I've always believed that if we can find our way to Narnia, we can find our way home'. May it do the same for you." -- Patti Callahan
May you read this book and find both Narnia and home.
"I advise you to read this book, then wait for a while, and then read it again. For while it may not be Narnia, there is magic in it. And that deeply moved me."
-- Douglas Gresham, stepson of CS Lewis
"My editor at Harper News, Amanda Bostic once said to me, 'I've always believed that if we can find our way to Narnia, we can find our way home'. May it do the same for you." -- Patti Callahan
May you read this book and find both Narnia and home.
audrey_condie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
krislars08's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5