Brilliant. Agnostic. Prejudiced. Gregarious. Bullying. Loyal friend. Heavy drinker. One of the most learned scholars of his generation. A controversial Christian apologist. Author of a children’s fantasy that has sold millions upon millions of copies. And, after his death, almost a cult figure. C. S. Lewis was an incredibly complicated man, and, as revealed in this splendid biography, a mystery to those who knew him best. I know of no modern biographer who equals Wilson’s delicacy of touch and sensitivity to human quandaries. An astonishing book. -Leon Edel The mixture presented in Wilson’s biography of the life of learning…of domestic drama and bad temper, religion, and sex, is irresistible. -New York Review of Books