Discover the enthralling world of C.S. Lewis through this curated list of the author’s finest works. Explore the best books by C. S. Lewis, which have captivated generations of readers, from the magical world of Narnia to his profound theological insights.
Clive Staples Lewis or simply C.S. Lewis, is one of the most celebrated authors of the twentieth century. He made an unforgettable impression on the world of literature with his imaginative stories and thought-provoking philosophies.
Today, we’ll have a look at some of his best books, providing a window into his prodigious creativity and insightfulness as a storyteller.
Things you'll find in this article
12 Best Books by C.S. Lewis
Related Read:
- Best Irish Children Books
- Fun Facts About C.S. Lewis
- Best Irish Authors Of All Time
- Famous Irish People
Best Fiction Books By C.S. Lewis
1. Chronicles of Narnia (1950-1956)
- The Magician’s Nephew
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- The Horse and His Boy
- Prince Caspian l
- The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader”
- The Silver Chair
- The Last Battle
Among Lewis’s best and most well-known works are the Narnia books. It has stood the test of time as a beloved children’s book series, categorized as both a fantasy and a classic.
The series was first released with illustrations by Pauline Baynes and written between 1949 and 1954. The stories, according to Lewis, were influenced by British and Irish fairy tales, as well as Greek and Roman mythology.
There are seven books in The Chronicles, and they were released over seven years.
Millions of copies were sold, and the series was localized into dozens of languages. The series has also been adapted numerous times for the theatre, screen, and radio.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
2. The Space Trilogy (1938-1943)
- Out of the Silent
- Perelandra
- That Hideous Strength
Lewis has also written a trilogy of science fiction novels titled The Space Trilogy. Elwin Ransom, a professor at Cambridge, is the novel’s major protagonist. It’s worth noting that this character was inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien.
This trilogy is not for children like the Chronicles of Narnia. All of the elements of a mysterious and technologically advanced culture are present, from cosmology to language to mythology.
“Out of the Silent Planet” is the first book in the series. It follows a man named Ransom who is abducted and sent to a planet called Malacandra, where he learns about a dark conspiracy. The book delves into topics like isolation, awe, and meaninglessness.
The second in the series, “Perelandra” follows Ransom as he travels to the freshly constructed planet of the same name.
There, he is responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the local populace. Temptation, innocence, and the battle between good and evil are all themes that are explored throughout the book.
In the series’ third and final book, “That Hideous Strength,” Ransom travels back to Earth to face a villainous group with global ambitions. Topics such as government corruption and the origins of evil are examined in depth.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
3. The Pilgrim’s Regress (1933)
Another of Lewis’s must-read is his first published work of prose fiction, The Pilgrim’s Regress. This is allegorical fiction, and follows a guy named John as he travels through a metaphysical environment in pursuit of the Island he has always dreamed of.
To his publisher, Lewis described his novel as “a kind of Bunyan up to date,” referring to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress from the 17th century but updated to reflect the politics, ideologies, philosophy, and artistic values of the early 20th century.
In the book, John confronts the modern Christian church’s deceit, Fascism’s intellectual emptiness, and the phoniness of other philosophical and artistic groups.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
4. The Screwtape Letters (1942)
The religious satirical classic “The Screwtape Letters” was written in 1942, and it depicts human beings’ temptations and crimes from the perspective of the devil.
This popular satire consists of 31 letters from an old devil named Screwtape to his young apprentice, Wormwood.
Through the letters, Screwtape explains how to successfully tempt the human soul Screwtape has been tasked with corrupting.
“The Screwtape Letters” depicts a regular human existence from the devil’s perspective, complete with all the temptations and shortcomings that come with it.
Here, Lewis imagines a sequence of teachings on the importance of actively participating in the Christian faith.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
5. The Great Divorce (1945)
The Great Divorce takes its readers on a journey to the peaks of Heaven and Hell in the tradition of St. Augustine, Lewis Carroll, and George MacDonald. A city called “The Grey Town” in Lewis’s fiction is a depressing location where people live only because they have no other options.
As the story’s narrator travels with a group on a bus, he learns shocking information about himself and his ultimate destination. The Great Divorce is a book that challenges its readers to think about where their souls will ultimately end up.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
6. Till We Have Faces (1956)
The novel “Till We Have Faces” by C.S. Lewis was his last. This is a reimagining and retelling of the old Cupid and Psyche myth.
As the ugly Queen of a once-great barbarian nation mourns the loss of her beautiful and beloved sister, the story transforms into a fascinating psychological study.
It’s the kind of tale that’s incredibly fulfilling and profound. “Till We Have Faces” is a flowing, whirling, incomprehensible tale that deals with very painful subject matter while simultaneously being lofty, and unique.
This is a truly remarkable story. Lewis called it “far and away my best book,” and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Be sure to read it over at least twice though!
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
Best Non Fiction Books By C.S. Lewis
7. The Abolition of Man (1936)
The Abolition of Man, published in 1943, is generally considered Lewis’s masterpiece.
In this groundbreaking book, Lewis warns against the dangerous trend of young people dismissing the labor of their elders and thinking of themselves as superior to them. This generation would unwittingly become the dominant one in the future.
In the book, Lewis voices his alarm at the thought of this nightmare becoming a reality if population control measures like birth control and eugenics are widely used.
Surprisingly, in light of extraordinary developments in genetic engineering, his worries are more pertinent than ever.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
8. Mere Christianity (1952)
Lewis’s “Mere Christianity” is one of his most perceptive and challenging works. An open and honest exploration of Christian beliefs, “Mere Christianity” challenges the reader to read the Bible with fresh eyes.
Some readers may find it difficult to read at times, but Lewis’ dogged narrations keep them moving forward nonetheless. This book, despite being written 70 years ago, still encourages Christians as they follow Christ.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
9. Surprised by Joy (1955)
Lewis’s autobiography, “Surprised by Joy,” is on par with his other masterpieces. “Surprised by Joy” avoids the heavy philosophical ramblings that plague his earlier works.
“Surprised by Joy” exposes a vulnerable, passionate, and at times raw Lewis. Don’t be shocked if you can’t sleep thinking about his childhood, especially his time spent at a boarding school.
Lewis, however, emerged from his ordeal relatively unscathed and in sound mental and spiritual health. All the successes in the book add up to something bigger in the end.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
10. The Four Loves (1960)
C.S. Lewis’s writings often demonstrate a deep knowledge of love, despite his more well-known reputation for logical defenses of faith and fairy tales.
The dangers of elevating romantic love to the status of a god are explored in this book. Lewis’s point is well taken for anyone who has witnessed love motivate self-destructive actions.
In the Harry Potter series, love is envisioned as a force so potent and inexplicable that it was locked away in a room at the Wizarding Department of Mysteries, which studied fundamental concepts like human intelligence and even death.
Lewis attempts to open that door and have a straightforward conversation about this power that we so often choose to mystify.
In “The Four Loves,” he does so with some profound insights.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
11. A Grief Observed (1961)
Perhaps the most powerful and poignant of all of Lewis’ works, “A Grief Observed” is an account of the author’s mourning the loss of his wife.
Lewis’s journal contains frank descriptions of his frustration with God and his efforts to maintain his faith despite his suffering.
While expressing his anger and processing his loss, Lewis discovers a deeper appreciation for God. The story is heartfelt and honest, speaking to anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
12. Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories (1966)
Lewis’s “Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories” from 1966 (posthumous by three years) is a wonderful entry point to his non-Narnia works.
Essays on the nature of storytelling, fairy tales, children’s literature, and, most importantly, science fiction make up the first two-thirds of the book.
The latter is crucial since, together with Ray Bradbury, Lewis was the most influential writer of the twentieth century to elevate science fiction to the level of other literary forms.
The last third of Lewis’s book consists of his collection of short stories, and they are all fantastic.
BUY IT ON AMAZON HERE.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.