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. Check out my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/brentondickieson

An Obituary of C.S. Lewis’ Life as an Oxford Don, by John Wain (on the 60th Anniversary of Lewis’ Death)

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

Today is the 60th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’ death. Among the public figures from Lewis’ history, poet-novelist-critic-playwright John Wain is a complicated character. He comes into Lewis’ story not just as a student but as someone connected to the Inklings … Continue reading →

Posted in Lewis Biography, Memorable Quotes | Tagged 11/22/63, A Grief Observed, books, C.S. Lewis, Inklings, Is Theology Poetry, John Wain, Joy Davidman, obituary, OHEL, Oxford, Reflections on the Psalms, The Personal Heresy, The Screwtape Letters, The Waste Land, They Asked for a Paper | 10 Comments

The Office Hours Dialogues: What I Am Looking For in a Research Paper (Part 1)

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

The student stared at me in horror. “You do what when you grade research papers?” Skyler asked. “After looking at the title,” I repeated, “I flip to the bibliography.” I have had this conversation dozens of times, and I must … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged ACLC, C.S. Lewis, Creative Collaboration, IBL, Inquiry Based Learning, Inquiry Studies, Narnia, research, Teaching, UPEI | 6 Comments

What I Want from AI

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

Artificial intelligence is all the rage these days. While there is good reason to doubt the truthfulness of the title, GenAI–generative artificial intelligence–public attention is deeper than the media, either the social or unsocial kind. In my world, writers, artists, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Age of Ultron, AI, Artificial Intelligence, curiosity, ethics, GenAI, Inquiry Studies, Iron Man, J.A.R.V.I.S., Marvel Cinematic Universe, Science Fiction, Teaching, UPEI | 6 Comments

Living in a World with Octobers: An Anne of Green Gables Greeting from Prince Edward Island

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

It is another gorgeous and breezy October day here in Prince Edward Island. Our Autumns usually begin about the third week of August: the evenings turn cool while fine days are punctuated with ocean storms. An early tilt to Fall … Continue reading →

Posted in L.M. Montgomery, Reflections | Tagged Anne of Green Gables, Anne With an E, Bruce Cockburn, fairy tales, fantasy, fantasy studies, Kevin Sullivan, L.M. Montgomery, Literary Theory, Lucy Maud Montgomery, myth, Prince Edward Island, Science Fiction | 7 Comments

Sharp Novel Minds and Pithy First Lines, with Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, Geo. MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Ray Bradbury, N.K. Jemisin, Nalo Hopkinson, Margaret Atwood and more!

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

Sacrificial Fire for Fickle Gods (2023) by Brenton Dickieson O! to speak life-words of fire In a fashion sweet and plain: For pith-like wit, ink-painted flight, A Titan’s theft of flame. Lo! in conjuring these trickster lords, Who rule not … Continue reading →