Once Upon a Wardrobe
A Story of Narnia and a Sister's Love
by Patti Callahan
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Pub Date Oct 19 2021 | Archive Date Nov 19 2021
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Description
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea and Becoming Mrs. Lewis comes a fascinating look into the bond between siblings and the life-changing magic of stories.
1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?"
Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers.
Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life.
After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."
Once Upon a Wardrobe is a captivating historical novel that deftly combines fact and fiction. It's an emotional journey into the books and stories that make us who we are. It's perfect for book clubs, for anyone who has ever longed to know more about Narnia, and for anyone whose life has ever been impacted by a story.
"It's a love letter to books and stories . . ." --THE WASHINGTON POST | ". . . a tender, enchanting tribute to the power of story and the myriad ways it can both break and heal our hearts." --ARIEL LAWHON | "Patti Callahan's beautiful, life-affirming novel is a reminder that literature lives inside us, and that when we read someone else's story, we understand so much more about our own. A gorgeous, compelling book." --JANET SKESLIEN CHARLES | ". . . the kind of real magic that is only possible when we open our hearts and let the lamplight in." --KRISTIN HARMEL | ". . . discovering the way in which stories--and myths--weave through our existences, subtly transforming us in immeasurable ways. Stunning." --MARIE BENEDICT
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780785251729 |
| PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Featured Reviews
Lysette H, Bookseller
Everyone needs to read this Christmas story. From the publisher: College student Megs Devonshire sets out to fulfill her younger brother George’s last wish by uncovering the truth behind his favorite story. What transpires is a fascinating look into the bond between siblings and the life-changing magic of stories.
If you have ever dreamed of opening a wardrobe and walking into Narnia, this book is absolutely for you. This gorgeously written story delves into where stories themselves come from by asking C.S. Lewis himself. Undertake the adventure of a lifetime yourself within these pages and see how one of the most well known stories came into existence and how it continues to impact those who read it.
Cathy B, Reviewer
Excellent writing. Took me back to my younger days when I read CS Lewis. I was drawn into the story very quickly. Highly recommend!
Laura M, Educator
Amazing. For anyone who read The Chronicles of Narnia or is just a fan of fantasy within a mystery/historical fiction, this is for you. I so enjoyed how the story is about another story story and its author and the search for meaning…..trying to find whats written between the lines. Quite a lovely book with a tug at the heartstrings.
Rita S, Reviewer
In "Once Upon a Wardrobe," Megs Devonshire grapples with the heartbreaking reality that her eight-year-old brother, George, is seriously ill and enchanted by C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Desperate to fulfill George's dying wish to discover the origins of Narnia, Megs finds herself at the Kilns, the property of the famous author. Sitting on the fence, she contemplates approaching C.S. Lewis and is pleasantly surprised when both Jack and Warnie Lewis warmly invite her in for afternoon tea. As Jack shares poignant stories of their own childhood in Ireland, Megs becomes the bridge between the Lewis brothers' past and her brother's present, ultimately gifting George and herself a world of make-believe, fairy tales, and the solace found within the pages of a book. The narrative beautifully explores the profound love between siblings, the wonders of the natural world, and the enchantment nestled in both castles and the realms between book covers.
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