Changes

The huge success of ''The Screwtape Letters'' led to Lewis being featured on the cover of ''Time'' magazine in 1947, by which point the book had gone through 20 British and 14 U.S. printings. In 1950, [[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]] was published and quickly the series of seven books, collectively called [[The Chronicles of Narnia]], were published at the rate of one a year. The series was an attempt to bring the lessons of Christianity and the [[Bible]] to a young audience, while still keeping them entertained by the narrative. Although not immediately popular, word of mouth increased the demand and they were taken into the hearts of both young and old readers alike.

The huge success of ''The Screwtape Letters'' led to Lewis being featured on the cover of ''Time'' magazine in 1947, by which point the book had gone through 20 British and 14 U.S. printings. In 1950, [[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]] was published and quickly the series of seven books, collectively called [[The Chronicles of Narnia]], were published at the rate of one a year. The series was an attempt to bring the lessons of Christianity and the [[Bible]] to a young audience, while still keeping them entertained by the narrative. Although not immediately popular, word of mouth increased the demand and they were taken into the hearts of both young and old readers alike.

[[Image:CNarnia.jpg|left|150px]]

[[Image:CNarnia.jpg|left|170px]]

Many consider Lewis the most important Christian writer in the English language. He is, certainly, among the most popular. Over fifty books have been published to his credit, and annual book sales remain over two million, with more than 200 million copies of his books sold worldwide. All have never been out of print, and there are more than 200 individual fan clubs, readers groups and C.S. Lewis societies around the world.<ref>''A portrait of C.S. Lewis'' [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/cs_lewis_159765.html In Touch Ministries] (2006)</ref><ref>'''Duncan, John Ryan''', ''The Magic Never Ends: The Life & Work of C.S. Lewis'', London: Thomas Nelson (2001) ISBN 0-8499-1718-2</ref> However, his success and prominence can not be interpreted by evaluating his novels or poetry alone. Dabney Hart, who has written and lectured extensively about Lewis said "I think it does no disservice to him to say that he is not one of the great novelists of the 20th century. I think he would have been the first person to say that himself."<ref>'''Duncan''', ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> Biographer John Ryan Duncan sums up Lewis' literary greatness as "''his ability to simplify an intellectual or philosophical concept and to assist readers on a spiritual journey of their own.''"<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> The heart of Lewis' work is about values, morality and the battle between good and evil, and he used his writing to ask the philosophical, psychological, and moral questions that are at the core every person's existence: ''Is there a God? If so, is there only one God? If there is a God, then why does evil permeate our world? Why is there famine, war, overpopulation, death and destruction? How does belief in God help nurture happiness and fulfillment? How does faith heal and help someone overcome pain?''

Many consider Lewis the most important Christian writer in the English language. He is, certainly, among the most popular. Over fifty books have been published to his credit, and annual book sales remain over two million, with more than 200 million copies of his books sold worldwide. All have never been out of print, and there are more than 200 individual fan clubs, readers groups and C.S. Lewis societies around the world.<ref>''A portrait of C.S. Lewis'' [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/cs_lewis_159765.html In Touch Ministries] (2006)</ref><ref>'''Duncan, John Ryan''', ''The Magic Never Ends: The Life & Work of C.S. Lewis'', London: Thomas Nelson (2001) ISBN 0-8499-1718-2</ref> However, his success and prominence can not be interpreted by evaluating his novels or poetry alone. Dabney Hart, who has written and lectured extensively about Lewis said "I think it does no disservice to him to say that he is not one of the great novelists of the 20th century. I think he would have been the first person to say that himself."<ref>'''Duncan''', ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> Biographer John Ryan Duncan sums up Lewis' literary greatness as "''his ability to simplify an intellectual or philosophical concept and to assist readers on a spiritual journey of their own.''"<ref>'''Duncan,''' ''The Magic Never Ends'', op cit.</ref> The heart of Lewis' work is about values, morality and the battle between good and evil, and he used his writing to ask the philosophical, psychological, and moral questions that are at the core every person's existence: ''Is there a God? If so, is there only one God? If there is a God, then why does evil permeate our world? Why is there famine, war, overpopulation, death and destruction? How does belief in God help nurture happiness and fulfillment? How does faith heal and help someone overcome pain?''