Author Archives: Brenton Dickieson

About Brenton Dickieson

“A Pilgrim in Narnia” is a blog project in reading and talking about the work of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, L.M. Montgomery, and the worlds they created. As a "Faith, Fantasy, and Fiction" blog, we cover topics like children’s literature, myths and mythology, fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, poetry, theology, cultural criticism, art and writing. This blog includes my thoughts as I read through my favourite writings and reflect on my own life and culture. In this sense, I am a Pilgrim in Narnia--or Middle Earth, or Fairyland, or Avonlea. I am often peeking inside of wardrobes, looking for magic bricks in urban alleys, or rooting through yard sale boxes for old rings. If something here captures your imagination, leave a comment, “like” a post, share with your friends, or sign up to receive Narnian Pilgrim posts in your email box. Brenton Dickieson (PhD, Chester) is a father, husband, friend, university lecturer, and freelance writer from Prince Edward Island, Canada. You can follow him: www.aPilgrimInNarnia.com Twitter (X) @BrentonDana Instagram @bdickieson Facebook @aPilgrimInNarnia

Upcoming Ursula K. Le Guin Course at Signum University: Recall John Garth, Maximilian Hart, Kris Swank, and Myself on Ursula K. Le Guin, Language, Tolkien, and World-building (Friday Feature)

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

Happy Friday my fellow wayfarers! I am recalling this post from the first edition of the grad course at Signum on Ursula K. Le Guin with the ever-brilliant Kris Swank. I am not teaching this deep-dive course this summer–though I … Continue reading →

Posted in News & Links | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Earthsea, J.R.R. Tolkien, owen barfield, Signum University, The Earthsea Cycle, The Inklings, Ursula K. Le Guin | 2 Comments

“To rail is the sad privilege of the loser”: C.S. Lewis and the Future of our Words

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

I was in a room on campus this week with English literature scholars from different disciplines. One of them tried to find words for C.S. Lewis‘ relationship with “politics.” “Lewis wasn’t political…” he began, and then added after a pause, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Addison, Alexander Pope, C.S. Lewis, cultural criticism, Jonathan Swift, literature, rhetoric, scholarship, Selected Literary Essays, The Abolition of Man, writing | 7 Comments

The New York C.S. Lewis Society Student Essay Contest

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

The New York C.S. Lewis Society is hosting a Student Essay Contest open to high school and college students. The contest offers cash prizes, publication, and one-year membership. The deadline for submissions is June 29, 2024. Winning essays will be announced at the Society’s November meeting. Additional details are available in the linked PDF. Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged C.S. Lewis, contest, New York C.S. Lewis Society, writing | Leave a comment

Shadowy Steps through Hellish Fog: Amy Baik Lee’s Refreshing Invitation in This Homeward Ache

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

In his evocative and soul-revealing re-imagining of the spiritual life in the irreconcilable ecosystems of heaven and hell, The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis tells a lie. As I described last week, The Great Divorce is a travel-journey philosophical novella. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged A Preface to Paradise Lost, Amy Baik Lee, C.S. Lewis, literature, Sehnsucht, The Great Divorce, This Homeward Ache | 8 Comments

C.S. Lewis and the Total Eclipse of the Heavens, with An Unauthorized Book-Jacket Description of The Great Divorce

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

Well, it has been quite some time since I wrote my “I’m still here but just exhausted” blog post. I am still here! I am less exhausted, but the tumbling forward of incomplete work continues. Moreover, though I’m making excellent … Continue reading →