Synopses & Reviews
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) is best remembered as a literary critic, essayist, theologian, and novelist, and his famed tales
The Chronicles of Narnia and
The Screwtape Letters have been read by millions. Now, A. T. Reyes reveals a different side of this diverse man of letters: translator.
Reyes introduces the surviving fragments of Lewis's translation of Virgil's epic poem, which were rescued from a bonfire. They are presented in parallel with the Latin text, and are accompanied by synopses of missing sections, and an informative glossary, making them accessible to the general reader. Writes Lewis in A Preface to Paradise Lost, “Virgil uses something more subtle than mere length of time…. It is this which gives the reader of the Aeneid the sense of having lived through so much. No man who has read it with full perception remains an adolescent.” Lewis's admiration for the Aeneid, written in the 1st century BC and unfolding the adventures of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans, is evident in his remarkably lyrical translation.
C. S. Lewis's Lost Aeneid is part detective story, as Reyes recounts the dramatic rescue of the fragments and his efforts to collect and organize them, and part illuminating look at a lesser-known and intriguing aspect of Lewis's work.
Review
"This book shows the translation as fascinating evidence of his [Lewis's] formation, imagination, and critical drive."—Sarah Ruden, Books & Culture
Review
"Reyes has done an admirable job editing Lewis's previously unpublished translation of parts of the Aeneid. . . . Reyes's book is deep rather than broad. . . . Reyes has done a fine job of explaining the text, comparing Lewis's translations to the original, and discussing the nuances of the poem itself."—Brad Birzer, The American Conservative
Review
“It is thrilling to read Lewis' handling of the story of the legendary Trojan and his band of fugitives.”—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times
Review
“Lewis's literary endeavors include poetry, essays, novels, criticism, and translation. His take on Virgil's Aeneid, ‘his favourite of all books, serves to further enrich the legacy of this ambitious and prolific writer.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“In this nimble rendition . . . C.S. Lewis has man Publishers Weekly
Review
“Even those readers who are new to the Aeneid will find this volume helpful . . . [and] Lewis fans should be delighted to discover yet another facet to the literary career of this ever diverse man of letters.”—Will Vaus, author of Mere Theology: A Guide to the Thought of C. S. Lewis Jason Fisher - Mythprint
Review
“Worth reading, and not just by Lewis-o-philes.”—Emily Wilson, New Republic Sarah Ruden - Books and Culture: A Christian Review
Review
"[an] elegant work. . . . this volume offers unique insights on Virgil, the Aeneid, the epic tradition, the mind and work habits of Lewis, and the relationship between translation and art. Highly recommended."—D. Pesta Sarah Ruden - Books and Culture: A Christian Review
About the Author
A. T. Reyes, who studied classics at Harvard and Oxford, helped Walter Hooper with the classical references in Lewis's Letters. He teaches Greek and Latin at Groton School, Massachusetts.