CS Lewis, Tolkien, and Chesterton were all inspired by one writer...
Sean Berube@SeanBerube4
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Feb 06, 2026
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CS Lewis, Tolkien, and Chesterton were all inspired by one writer
His works shaped Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and countless other tales
Here’s the writer behind the writers —
And his books that inspired the greatest thinkers of the 20th century…🧵
His works shaped Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and countless other tales
Here’s the writer behind the writers —
And his books that inspired the greatest thinkers of the 20th century…🧵
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George Macdonald was a 19th century author
He was a pioneer of the fantasy genre, and a personal mentor to Lewis Caroll
On the surface, he wrote simple children stories
But his worlds were also imbued with a hidden genius
He was a pioneer of the fantasy genre, and a personal mentor to Lewis Caroll
On the surface, he wrote simple children stories
But his worlds were also imbued with a hidden genius
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Macdonald had a special influence on CS Lewis, who wrote:
“I have never concealed the fact that I regarded Macdonald as my master”
He helped inspired both Chronicles of Narnia, and also Lewis’ return to the faith
Chesterton and Tolkien shared similar praise…
“I have never concealed the fact that I regarded Macdonald as my master”
He helped inspired both Chronicles of Narnia, and also Lewis’ return to the faith
Chesterton and Tolkien shared similar praise…
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Chesterton cited Macdonald as a key figure in constructing his moral imagination
And while Tolkien was critical of Macdonald’s simple morality, his fantasy worlds helped Tolkien construct Middle Earth...
Here’s Macdonald's best works…
And while Tolkien was critical of Macdonald’s simple morality, his fantasy worlds helped Tolkien construct Middle Earth...
Here’s Macdonald's best works…
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Phantastes
This is the book “baptized,” CS Lewis’ imagination
It follows a young man pulled from ordinary life into a fantasy world
He begins an adventure - searching for the perfect ideal of female beauty
In time, however, he learns beauty cannot exist without blemishes
This is the book “baptized,” CS Lewis’ imagination
It follows a young man pulled from ordinary life into a fantasy world
He begins an adventure - searching for the perfect ideal of female beauty
In time, however, he learns beauty cannot exist without blemishes
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The Princess and the Goblin
This was a favorite of both Tolkien and Chesterton’s
Chesterton wrote:
“Of all the stories I have read, ‘The Princess and the Goblin’ remains the most real
the most realistic, in the exact sense of the phrase the most like life”
This was a favorite of both Tolkien and Chesterton’s
Chesterton wrote:
“Of all the stories I have read, ‘The Princess and the Goblin’ remains the most real
the most realistic, in the exact sense of the phrase the most like life”
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Lilith
Lilith is Macdonald’s darkest work
It asks how salvation can be earned in a fallen world filled with evil:
Souls must undergo severe spiritual torment
But on the other side is a paradise beyond comprehension
Lilith is Macdonald’s darkest work
It asks how salvation can be earned in a fallen world filled with evil:
Souls must undergo severe spiritual torment
But on the other side is a paradise beyond comprehension
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The Wise Woman
This book is a parable based on the book of Proverbs, personifying the "fool," and "wise man"
The plot follows a wise woman with magic who visits two proud-hearted girls:
Her task - perform "surgery of the soul," and teach them humility before its too late
This book is a parable based on the book of Proverbs, personifying the "fool," and "wise man"
The plot follows a wise woman with magic who visits two proud-hearted girls:
Her task - perform "surgery of the soul," and teach them humility before its too late
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The Golden Key
A young man chases after a golden key - which would make his dreams come true
He finds the key, but doesn’t know where the lock is
His search takes him to the end of the Earth:
Where he discovers a life beyond death itself
A young man chases after a golden key - which would make his dreams come true
He finds the key, but doesn’t know where the lock is
His search takes him to the end of the Earth:
Where he discovers a life beyond death itself
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At the Back of the North Wind
A young boy has the gift of joy - he brings happiness to all
One day an angel visits him and sends him on a journey across the world
The boy encounters suffering, death, and evil
Yet proves his joy is rooted in a grace that conquers all
A young boy has the gift of joy - he brings happiness to all
One day an angel visits him and sends him on a journey across the world
The boy encounters suffering, death, and evil
Yet proves his joy is rooted in a grace that conquers all
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The Light Princess
An allegory of a princess who has no gravity - physically or emotionally
She spends the story seeking the source that can keep her grounded
It’s an allegory on the nature of love:
That its purest form appears humble, grounded, and selfless
An allegory of a princess who has no gravity - physically or emotionally
She spends the story seeking the source that can keep her grounded
It’s an allegory on the nature of love:
That its purest form appears humble, grounded, and selfless
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Thomas Wingfold, Curate
Pastor Thomas Wingfold wrestles with doubt after an atheist publicly challenges him
He begins a long journey, heart-breaking searching for Truth:
The moral:
Faith is not blind belief. It's forged through fortitude, patience, trials, and tribulations
Pastor Thomas Wingfold wrestles with doubt after an atheist publicly challenges him
He begins a long journey, heart-breaking searching for Truth:
The moral:
Faith is not blind belief. It's forged through fortitude, patience, trials, and tribulations
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Sir Gibbie
A rags to riches story of a mute, saint-like boy named Gibbie
He dons the role of a “suffering servant," and his humility invites grace and serendipity into a fallen world
The point - it's not power, but self-sacrificing love, that restores order to the world
A rags to riches story of a mute, saint-like boy named Gibbie
He dons the role of a “suffering servant," and his humility invites grace and serendipity into a fallen world
The point - it's not power, but self-sacrificing love, that restores order to the world
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If you want to learn the great books, join me at the Athenaeum Book Club here!
athenaeum-book-club.circle.so/join?invitatio…
athenaeum-book-club.circle.so/join?invitatio…
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Bonus:
I offer faith-based fitness coaching for Christian men looking to:
- Get fit
- Grow in their faith
- Learn the great books
If interested, DM me "fitness" to discuss!
I offer faith-based fitness coaching for Christian men looking to:
- Get fit
- Grow in their faith
- Learn the great books
If interested, DM me "fitness" to discuss!
