• A Life Observed

  • A Spiritual Biography of C.S. Lewis
  • By: Devin Brown
  • Narrated by: Jon Gauger
  • Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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A Life Observed  By  cover art

A Life Observed

By: Devin Brown
Narrated by: Jon Gauger
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Publisher's summary

C. S. Lewis is one of the most influential Christian writers of our time. But while it was clear from the start that he would be a writer, it was not always clear he would become a Christian. A Life Observed tells the inspiring story of Lewis' spiritual journey from cynical atheist to joyous Christian. Drawing on Lewis' autobiographical works, books by those who knew him personally, and his apologetic and fictional writing, this spiritual biography brings the beloved author’s story to life while shedding light on his best-known works.

©2013 Brazos Press (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Critic reviews

"This book has the essential quality of a biography - it’s reliable." (Walter Hooper, C. S. Lewis’s personal secretary and editor)
"Devin Brown has always been my go-to source for all things related to Middle Earth and Narnia. In A Life Observed, he shows us Lewis’ remarkable journey from hardened skeptic to one of the most joyful, thoughtful, and influential apologists in the history of Christianity. Like Lewis, Devin is a pleasure to read, and you can’t help but feel a little smarter - and a little happier - when you finish this book." (Micheal Flaherty, cofounder and president, Walden Media)

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What listeners say about A Life Observed

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A beautifully written remembrance

Entire book ruined by insertion of footnote references by the narrarator. I listen to audio books almost daily and have never heard one where the narrator reads aloud the citations in the body of the book. I would not recommend.you buy this audio book. Just buy the book and read it old school so you are not comstantly interrupted by silly and meaningless refernces to the bibliography. Seriously, who desecrates a lovely book in this manner? Very unfortunate.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Hard to follow

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I just wanted a biography of Lewis, but this isn't what I was looking for and I thought was hard to follow. I never finished it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Some new insights

I am a big Lewis fan. Along with affirming those traditions about Lewis that we happily receive there were some new insights to his writings and relationships. I also recommend the biography by Alistair McGrath.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!!!

After listening to this book, I plan to read ALL of his other published books!!!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

why does the reader mention the footnotes

why does the reader mention the footnotes but not read them ? so very distracting

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it, good content. well read, easy listen

Good story, well read, easy listening. Recommended to any CS Lewis reader.
Good intro to some of his other books

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A valuable addition to books on Lewis

Would you listen to A Life Observed again? Why?

Yes. In a meaty biography you never get everything in one reading.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the heavy emphasis on Lewis' books.

What about Jon Gauger’s performance did you like?

Excellent. He was an able reader who did not distract the listener from the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I never do that.

Any additional comments?

It is a "spiritual biography" but of value to Christians and nonchristians alike. Very well done.

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