Megs Devonshire is brilliant with numbers and equations, on a scholarship at Oxford, and dreams of solving the greatest mysteries of physics. She prefers the dependability of facts–except for the younger brother she loves with all her heart doesn’t have long to live. When George becomes captivated by a brand-new book called The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and begs her to find out where Narnia came from, there’s no way she can refuse. 

Despite her timidity about approaching the famous author, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with the Oxford don and his own brother, imploring them for answers. What she receives instead are more stories… stories of Jack Lewis’s life, which she takes home to George. Why won’t Mr. Lewis just tell her plainly what George wants to know? The answer will reveal to Meg many truths that science and math cannot, and the gift she thought she was giving to her brother–the story behind Narnia–turns out to be his gift to her, hope.

This was such an amazing, heartfelt, and emotional book. It’s a beautiful look at love, loss, death, and grief. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. She did a fabulous job with the various accents. She really immersed me further into this book with the delivery of her storytelling. 

This entire book felt like a love letter to C.S. Lewis and his most famous series, The Chronicles of Narnia. It’s not a fantasy story; it is a contemporary drama that is fictional, but if you’re a fan of the author or his works, then it’s a must-read. It’s incredibly thought-provoking. I loved the messages about the importance of books, reading, fictional worlds/stories, and using your imagination. It emphasizes how we need stories in our lives. They are means to truth. They stir emotions in the reader and make us feel. Fiction helps to develop compassion, empathy, open-mindedness, and so much more for the reader. We don’t want to constantly be stuck in our own thoughts and opinions. So many great takeaways and quotes. I want to buy a physical copy of this book so I can re-read it and annotate it. 

The author seamlessly weaves together fact and fiction to transport us to 1950s Oxford, England, where Megs finds solace in the company of the brilliant yet enigmatic C.S. Lewis. Through Megs’ eyes, we witness the origins of Lewis’s iconic tale and the profound impact it has on both their lives. This was such a unique fictional plot that felt real. It’s also a story within a story, which I usually don’t like this trope, but it worked well in this case. I didn’t mind it at all. To be honest, I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. 

I loved all of the characters in this book. First, we see the dynamics between Meg and her younger brother, George. It’s so sweet and tender. She would do anything for her sick sibling. Then, we see the dynamics between C.S. Lewis (aka Jack) and his brother, Warnie, and then Meg and the two older men once they develop a friendship together, and then finally, we get a romance between Meg and a classmate. There are so many layers to unwrap as we explore each relationship and learn more about the characters. I was fully invested in all of them. They were all relatable and easy to connect with. This is a story that is more character-driven and less about the plot. 

I was moved to tears by the end. It had me sobbing, with not only tears of sadness but also feelings of inspiration and joy. This story will absolutely stay with me for a very long time. It’s something special! 

This book is a testament to the power of storytelling and how it can evoke raw emotions and leave a profound impact on our lives. (Which couldn’t be truer and is exactly why I’m such a HUGE reader!) I wasn’t expecting much from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much more this book turned out to be. It truly was a moving experience. 

This book also has great fall and winter vibes, so it would be perfect to read around that time of year. 

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and now, I want to read more. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one of her stories. Highly recommend!!