From his rare vantage point as Lewis's student, friend, and professional colleague, Professor John Lawlor recalls Lewis "in his habit as he lived." He offers an unforgettable account of studying under Lewis and an enchanting depiction of undergraduate life at Oxford between the wars. To round out his picture, Professor Lawlor draws on the recollections of other associates of Lewis, including a close comparison with J.R.R. Tolkien.
These sketches are complemented by an exposition of Lewis' science fiction and Chronicles of Narnia. There is also an assessment of Lewis' neglected notion of "happiness," noting its links with 19th-century English romanticism. After measuring Lewis's scholarly achievement, Professor Lawlor concludes with his own understanding of this complex man, in whom "maddening obstinacies and sword-sharp disclaimers co-existed with an untroubled awareness of the highest order."