Inklings Week 2024: A Q&A for Inklings Fans

Be sure to join in!

Hello everyone and welcome to Inklings Week 2024! Be sure to subscribe below and not miss a post!

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Today is all about me and you! I’ll use any excuse to chat about the love I have for these two, but I also want to invite you to join in! I found a bunch of questions online, so not only will I answer them, but I’d love to hear from you in the comments (any or all!). 

Inklings fans are such a fun community, so be sure to join in! 

Q: In your opinion, what is the enduring appeal of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia?

A: They set the standard in so many ways. Not only through their writing talent, creativity, and commitment to the craft of storytelling, but their stories are truly timeless. From the themes of good vs. evil, courage, bravery, friendship, love (and the list could go on) to simply fun and enjoyable tales, I can see why they stand the test of time. 

Q: Which of the Narnia books is your favorite, and why?

A: I’ve answered this before many times and I always say that it's whichever one I just read. Truly! But The Horse and His Boy does hold a special place in my heart since it was the first Narnia book I read. 

Q: How do you think Tolkien and Lewis’ experience in World War I influenced his writing?

A: Several years ago I read A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 by Joseph Loconte and it was a fantastic look at how the wars shaped each of them. I highly recommend it. But I do think the powerful theme of brotherhood and friendship, especially with Samwise Gamgee, especially speaks into this. 

Q: As a fan, what are your thoughts on the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia?

A: I’ve written many an article on my thoughts about adaptations, especially with Tolkien’s work, so this might not be anything new to some readers. I love the LOTR movies. LOVE THEM. The first movie is what sparked my love for the books (I immediately went to buy the trilogy after watching The Fellowship of the Ring).

I don’t speak of the Hobbit movies. 

As far as the Narnia movies (the recent-ish ones), it made me sad that they went further away from the material as they went on (especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader). I’ll still watch them, but I really do long for a beautifully accurate production. I am holding on sharing thoughts and feelings about the Netflix series until I hear more…

 Q: Outside of Narnia, LOTR, and The Hobbit, what are some of the other books you’ve read and any favorites? 

There are so many amazing ones (and so many I still need to read!). Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, and Mere Christianity are some of Lewis’ that I like to re-read. I also enjoyed Out of the Silent Planet. As far as Tolkien, I’ve mentioned before, but I genuinely enjoy The Silmarillion and going through some of the Unfinished Tales.

I do hope you’ll join in - can’t wait to hear from you all! 

© 2024 Jamie Lapeyrolerie