English Literature in the Sixteenth Century (Excluding Drama)

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: John Lee

C. S. Lewis offers a magisterial take on the literature and poetry of one of the most consequential periods in world history, providing deep insight into some of the greatest writers of the age, including Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare, William Tyndale, John Knox, Dr. Johnson, Richard Hooker, Hugh Latimer, Christopher Marlowe, John Donne, and Thomas Cranmer.

English Literature in the Sixteenth Century is an invigorating overview of English literature from the Norman Conquest through the mid-seventeenth century from one of the greatest public intellectuals of the modern age. In this wise, distinctive collection, C. S. Lewis expounds on the profound impact prose and poetry had on both British intellectual life and his own critical thinking and writing, demonstrated in his deep reflections and essays.

This incisive work is essential for any serious literature scholar, intellectual Anglophile, or C. S. Lewis fan.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Excellent

This book is C.S. Lewis’s Magnum Opus. It covers an amazing amount of ground. It is an enjoyable work.

Literary Criticism At Its Finest

A magisterial work of literary criticism. For those who have only read Lewis’s novels or religious writings, this well-crafted tome on 16th century literature usually comes as a great surprise. The breadth and depth of his first-hand research is obvious everywhere. Lewis even translated a number of the works that he reviews here. Truly a masterwork by a peerless master.

Brilliant if one knows Subject matter

C.S. Lewis is the master. However, one must have knowledge of the era and subject to truly grasp how good this work is. Unfortunately I have neither. I bought this thinking I could keep up with the pdf and learn as I go but I cannot. I’ve never studied this era’s poetry, etc. Lewis is too good for that. This book requires extensive knowledge about the subject regardless of extra additives to understand his analysis. This is one not to miss if one is knowledgeable about 16th century poetry.

Treasure

In a letter, CSL referred to this book as the main tune of his writing career, during the long years he wrote it, while the popular works he churned out on the side were "the little twiddly bits" of his writing during those years.

I'm writing this review to other listeners who come to the book as CSL lovers first and 16th Century Lit fans second. To the learned 16th Century Lit fan, I can't say much because of my ignorance.

But for the CSL fan, I'll say: this might not be your favorite topic to hear CSL discuss, but it is Lewis at his highest craftsmanship and widest breadth of knowledge. I love him as an organizer of ideas and I love his prose voice, so for me this is a serious treasure. It's also just plain fun; there's a lightness to it because eternal matters are only peripherally involved. In terms of laying out clearly a bunch of stuff he knows well, he is at the top of his game. And often enough, something from his faith bubbles up unobtrusively, organically. If you can hang in there with the subject matter, the rewards are wonderful.

Important work by Lewis finally available on audible.

Looking forward to working through this piece. I have benefited greatly from his essays and novels, and have a great appreciation for this man.