The Oxford Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien and Their Circle

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 67 ratings

Price: 23.39

Last update: 01-29-2025


About this item

The Oxford Inklings tells the story of the friendships, mutual influence, and common purpose of the Inklings - the literary circle which congregated around C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Meeting in pubs or Lewis' college rooms, they included an influential array of literary figures. They were, claimed poet and novelist John Wain, bent on "the task of redirecting the whole current of contemporary art and life".

Tolkien and Lewis expert Colin Duriez unpacks the Inklings' origins, relationships, and the nature of their collaboration. He shows how they influenced, encouraged, and moulded each other. Duriez also covers the less celebrated Inklings, neglected, he claims, for too long. What did they owe - and offer - to the more acknowledged names? What brought them together? And what, eventually, drove them apart from their initial focus upon each other's writings?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

  • matt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inklings' Land
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2010
    So on this rainy and blustery evening I cozied up on my couch to read this gem of a book and really enjoyed myself. This is not a book for most folks, but for Lewis or Tolkien fans (the other inklings are not covered as in depth as CSL and JRRT) this book is a must have. The first part of chapter one is very much about Oxford and meaning of the place, so, like another reviewer, it wouldn't be wrong to title it The Oxford of the Inklings. Even so, the topic quickly turns to Lewis and his literary cohorts, following the conventional biographical sketch fans have come to know. A few new pieces of biography are included, really anecdotes and tid bits, but on the whole no new paths are tread. However, and this is what makes the book so wonderful, the unique photos (and locations) are very lush and bring their environs right to life. As a photographic biography of Oxford (and the Kilns and Cambridge) as it relates to the Inklings the book is unique and remarkable. With a coffee table size and format, you could gain a great deal of pleasure from reading the captions about so many odd and overlooked places which hosted important and mundane aspects of the Inklings' lives to which you would not have access otherwise. Several maps are included for walking trips. It is very detailed.

    So if you are like me and you love to know odd facts and details and put images to the names of places, you can ask for no better. I wish I had read this book before going to England. It will enhance my next trip for sure.

    Other books of interest may include: THROUGH JOY AND BEYOND, Inklings (The Oxford Chronicles), C. S. Lewis: Images of His World (look for the first edition), Jack: A Life of C. S. Lewis, Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Madonald, G.K. Chesterton, and Others, The Magic Never Ends - The Life and Work of C.S. Lewis (which is the excellent dvd), the book, The Magic Never Ends The Life And Works Of C.s. Lewis [Hardcover] and Touring C.S. Lewis' Ireland & England.

    Enjoy to journey!
  • Judith A. Diehl
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Inklings of Oxford; C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Friends
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2009
    It is difficult to decide if this book is a great story with magnificant pictures, or a photo book with an interesting story. Either way, this edition would be of strong interest to C.S. Lewis fans as well as J.R.R. Tolkien fans. It is an in-depth look at the lives of the scholars who faithfully gathered as a literary social club in Oxford for many years. Their lives, their loves, and their literary genius are detailed in photography and narrative. In addition, we have a glimpse of other noted authors, including Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, producer Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, Colin Hardie, and Warnie Lewis. If one cannot physically enjoy the walking tours of Oxford and Headington (as mapped out at the back of the book), in the steps of some of the greatest writers of the twentieth century, this book is a beautiful alternative.
  • J ALLAN CROWSON
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived on time in good condition
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
    (see the headline)
  • David J. Finnamore
    4.0 out of 5 stars It's like you are there as opposed to looking at photographs
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2015
    This is not a dust-gathering coffee table book. I bought this book and read it in one sitting. In 171 pages Poe invites you into the intimate friendships between C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the other Inklings. You meet not the stalwart historical figures but the men who come to dinner.

    The photographer knows how to go beyond mere documentation. It's like you are there as opposed to looking at photographs. Stunning work!

    Includes many references to the works published by the Inklings, some of which I had never heard. Excellent work for further research.

    Also, the appendix is a cool surprise, making the book even more useful, not that it needs it.
  • GCollins
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Inklings of Oxford: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Their Friends
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2014
    This book details a period of time in the lives of Lewis and Tolkien particularly but others as well. Details are given that possibly not told in any other one source. The photographs are exceptional, and tell a story all by themselves. Most were taken by James Ray Veneman, a published author in his own right. If you have an interest in England, Oxford, Lewis or Tolkien I believe you will appreciate this book.
  • Ally
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect companion for a trip to Oxford
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2015
    I adore this book. I plan to visit Oxford on an upcoming work trip to London, and this is more than I was looking for as a guide to the Inklings' Oxford. There are even walking tours mapped out at the end. The pictures are beautiful as well. There is a strong focus on religion, which doesn't bother me in the slightest and which is to be expected in a book about the Inklings published by Zondervan.
  • Shirlj
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly lovely book, a travel to C.S.Lewis time at Oxford......
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2022
    This was a trip for me without leaving home. Right from my library I say all the places Lewis and Tolkien .From the Halls of Oxford, to the countryside, and even the Pub where they wrote and discussed. A vicarious vacation. Highly recommend for those of us who love the work of C.S. Lewis. Thanks to the seller for this used copy.
  • Katherine Neville
    3.0 out of 5 stars Photos=A; Biography=C- (Kindle review)
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2013
    I read the Kindle version on my Fire; the photos were absolutely lovely, but the captions were sometimes separated from the photo by 1-2 screens, which made it a cumbersome read. I have not tried viewing it with Kindle on my PC.
    I have a well-read-amateur's familiarity with the history of the Inklings, and as biography it is only so-so.
    On the other hand, it might be very nice to have a physical copy on hand while reading other biographies, or to use it as a travel guide if you are planning to visit Oxford, as the photos are excellent and really do contribute to an overall understanding of the Inkling life at Oxford.

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