Planet narnia paperback michael ward oxford university. Lewis to set forth the concept that the narnia books each echo the characters of the seven mediaeval planets. In planet narnia, he argues convincingly that medieval cosmology, a subject which fascinated lewis throughout his life, provides the imaginative key to the seven novels. Jan 24, 2011 planet narnia by michael ward is something far beyond the most important work on lewis or narnia. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read planet narnia. This text offers an entirely new way of understanding and reading both lewiss science fiction space trilogy and the chronicles of narnia. For over half a century, scholars have laboured to show that c. If you have any questions about either planet narnia or the narnia code, please be in contact. Books to date, ive written or edited five books see below. In planet narnia he demonstrates that medieval cosmology, a subject which fascinated lewis throughout his life, provides the imaginative key to the seven novels.
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 cosmologyjupiter, mars, sol, luna, mercury, venus and saturnplanets which lewis described as spiritual symbols of permanent value. Lewis noting michael wards claim that he has discovered the secret imaginative key to the narnia books, the sensible reader responds by erecting a castle of scepticism. Planet narnia is a groundbreaking study that will provoke a major revaluation not only of the chronicles, but of lewiss whole literary and theological outlook. Eric metaxas interviews oxford fellow michael ward about his discovery of a secret code in c. In planet narnia, he demonstrates that medieval cosmology, a subject which fascinated lewis throughout his life, provides the imaginative key to the seven novels. Planet narnia michael ward oxford university press. This website gives you information and news about my book planet narnia. Lewiss chronicles of narnia, which ward explores in his book planet narnia. Draws on previously unpublished drafts of the chronicles and refers to lewiss own private marginalia in books that have survived from his personal library. Dec 06, 2018 you may be surprised, as i was, to learn that michael wards planet narnia thesis is controversial. A critical essay on michael wards planet narnia adorans. A response to justin barretts quantitative assessment of planet narnia seven.
Lewis oxford university press and coeditor of the cambridge companion to c. Planet narnia, michael ward shop online for books in new. Lewis anyone who is a fan of c s lewis and the narnia stories will find this a fascinating book as michael ward argues that for each book lewis had a particular planet in mind and that through that imagery he presented different aspects of christ. Ward uncovers a much subtler writer and thinker than has previously been recognized, whose central interests were hiddenness, immanence, and knowledge by acquaintance. Admittedly, i avoid literary criticism wherever possible, so i dont have a good feeling for the genre, but i am confident in saying that it is totally unique. Walter hooper, literary adviser to the estate of c. The seven planets of the medieval world were of great interest to lewis all of his life, and ward proposes that these seven planets and their characteristics are played out in the seven books of the narnia series.
Lewis remarks upon the notion that books are specimens of escapism, in the same way the whole story, paradoxically enough, strengthens our relish for real life. The thesis of michael wards planet narnia can be stated briefly. Lewis is undoubtedly one the most recognizable authors names in america. Well, since all creators of books are made in the image of a creative god, i think its safe to say that.
Robert macswain and michael ward cambridge university press, 2010. Ward argued logically and with encyclopedic detail that he had indeed made. He is the author of the awardwinning planet narnia. None of these explanations has won general acceptance and the nature of narnias symbolism has remained a puzzle. Planet narnia by michael ward overdrive rakuten overdrive. Michael ward has made an outstanding contribution to lewis studies. Nov 25, 2015 eric metaxas interviews oxford fellow michael ward about his discovery of a secret code in c. Lewis by michael ward oxford press 2008 may be just the book for you. Reading michael ward s book planet narnia is like reading jim jordans through new eyes for c.
Michael ward is senior research fellow at blackfriars hall, university of oxford, and professor of apologetics at hbu. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Michael ward s 2008 book planet narnia proposes that each of the seven books related to one of the seven moving heavenly bodies or planets known in the middle ages according to the ptolemaic geocentric model of cosmology a theme to which lewis returned habitually throughout his work. Lewis fan like myself, few thrills match opening your inbox and finding an unexpected email from dr. Derek brewer, emeritus professor of english, university of cambridge planet narnia is not simply one for the.
Mar 12, 2020 even those critics who dislike the narnia books in principle because of their implicit christianity must consider their planetary structure and its significance. Lewiss famed but apparently disorganised chronicles of narnia have an underlying symbolic coherence, pointing to such possible unifying themes as the seven sacraments, the seven deadly sins, and the seven books of spensers faerie queene. Lewis, although keeping it a secret, used, one by one, the seven planets of medieval astronomyastrology as artistic themes for the seven narnian booksbasically one planet per book. Watch an interview i did with eric metaxas on his show socrates in the city. Dec 10, 2010 michael ward is the author of planet narnia. Its success prompted a followup, the narnia code 2010, which is shorter and more accessible to a broader audience. Planet narnia the seven heavens in the imagination of c.
Why do three of the books seem to be clear biblical allegories while the other four have no very obvious scriptural foundation. Wright as the foremost living lewis scholar times literary supplement, 2009, michael is c. At that time, each of these heavenly bodies was believed. Jan 10, 2011 in the case of michael wards first book, planet narnia, the task was made more difficult by his need to prove a radical and controversial claim. See what the critics and bloggers are saying about it. You may, like me, have needed little proof beyond the jove stanza of the the planets poem of winter passed and guilt forgiven, the lionhearted, just and gentle, are joves children, etc. Ward shows how the planets, which, as conceived by medieval astrology, had for lewis a permanent value as spiritual symbols, are a major driving force behind the chronicles of narnia. The work that can be considered the most groundbreaking is michael wards planet narnia. Does the narnia code explain how the 7 books fit together. Lewis, although keeping it a secret, used, one by one, the seven planets of medieval astronomyastrology as artistic themes for the seven narnian books basically one planet per book jupiter.
Description planet narnia by michael ward for over half a century, scholars have laboured to show that c. Planet narnia ever since they were published in the 1950s, c. The thesis of michael ward s planet narnia can be stated briefly. Lewiss seven chronicles of narnia have mystified readers by their apparent lack of coherence. Drawing on the whole range of lewis writings, ward reveals how the narnia stories were designed to express the characteristics of the. Lewis oxford university press, 2008 and of the narnia code tyndale, 2010, available from. Far from spoiling or seeming to devalue the message and rich beauty of lewis works, wards revelations serve to deepen ones appreciation for and understanding of them. Michael ward wrote the more substantial planet narnia. Lewiss famed but apparently disorganised chronicles of narnia have an underlying symbolic. Drawing on the whole range of lewis writings, ward reveals how the narnia stories were designed to express the characteristics of the seven medieval planets jupiter, mars, sol. He first unveiled his theory in planet narnia 2008. Michael ward thinks he has found an underlying system behind the seven narnia books, and it can be very easily summarised. In planet narnia he demonstrates that medieval cosmology, a subject which fascinated lewis.
C fakepath mpw at hillsdale2 michael ward is senior research fellow at blackfriars hall, university of oxford, professor of apologetics at hbu. Were the seven narnia chronicles based on the seven planets of medieval cosmology. Michael ward born 6 january 1968 is a british scholar, best known for his book planet narnia, in which he argues that the chronicles of narnia is structured around the seven heavens. Jun 18, 2010 michael ward thinks he has found an underlying system behind the seven narnia books, and it can be very easily summarised. Some people might be excited to receive an email from the president or their favorite entertainer, but for a c. Michael ward michael ward is senior research fellow at blackfriars hall, university of oxford, professor of apologetics at hbu, and a writer and speaker. To date, ive written or edited five books see below. Even those critics who dislike the narnia books in principle because of their implicit christianity must consider their planetary structure and its significance. Michael ward, awardwinning author of planet narnia. Reading michael wards book planet narnia is like reading jim jordans through new eyes for c. Lewis deliberately constructed the chronicles of narnia out of the imagery of the seven heavens. Lewis on time its fun laying out all my books as a cathedral. Ward was born in cuckfield, and studied at regents park college, oxford, peterhouse, cambridge, ridley hall, cambridge, and the university of st andrews.