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Reviews
Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis by Walter Hooper, C.S. Lewis, W.H. Lewis
amotwell's review
This was fun for a while, but it didn't hold my attention. I'm sure it was great fun for two boys growing up, and I did find it engaging and amusing at some points, but it wasn't good enough for me to stick around for the whole thing. It wasn't ever intended for publication, so I feel okay with enjoying a little and then setting it aside.
jhamm's review against another edition
3.0
This was the most difficult book from C. S. Lewis I’ve read so far, which is very interesting considering he started writing it when he was eight years old! He and his brother wrote all the imaginative stories found in here, and it’s incredible the amount of detail that were put into these stories considering the ages of the authors.
The stories themselves, as I alluded to, are VERY tough reads. They consist mainly of the fictional geographical and political landscape of the fantastical land of Boxen. Even though it’s very dense, it’s also really cute to see how imaginative the two bright, young minds who conjured this world were. The trademark humor of the younger Lewis is also found within several of these stories, foreshadowing his later works. I also found it so wholesome and hilarious how C. S. Lewis went back as an adult and attempted to write an “encyclopedia” explaining the world of Boxen as many of the stories are contradictory and he wanted to establish what is factual! It’s so nerdy, yet so wholesome!!
Overall, I find the story behind these writings more fascinating than the actual tales. The stories were never written to be published, but exist merely as windows into the adolescent years of “Jack” and Warnie” Lewis. It’s a cute little book and I enjoyed it!
The stories themselves, as I alluded to, are VERY tough reads. They consist mainly of the fictional geographical and political landscape of the fantastical land of Boxen. Even though it’s very dense, it’s also really cute to see how imaginative the two bright, young minds who conjured this world were. The trademark humor of the younger Lewis is also found within several of these stories, foreshadowing his later works. I also found it so wholesome and hilarious how C. S. Lewis went back as an adult and attempted to write an “encyclopedia” explaining the world of Boxen as many of the stories are contradictory and he wanted to establish what is factual! It’s so nerdy, yet so wholesome!!
Overall, I find the story behind these writings more fascinating than the actual tales. The stories were never written to be published, but exist merely as windows into the adolescent years of “Jack” and Warnie” Lewis. It’s a cute little book and I enjoyed it!
amy_da1sy's review against another edition
2.0
It’s an okay book not amazing not bad just kind of there.
felonyxko's review against another edition
3.0
I’m relieved to have got through this book, it felt never-ending at times but once I started I was determined to finish it.
The fact it was so hard-going and sort of a chore to get through was a problem. I just didn’t like it. However, for what it is - a collection of well thought out stories written by two boys for their own benefit (rather than with the intention of being published) - I found it all rather impressive. My lack of interest in the general topics and themes hugely skews my opinion.
Essentially, impressive for what it was, but not my thing.
(Initially opted not to rate it due to the nature of the entire thing (childhood writing product, likely not written with an audience in mind) but I changed my mind.)
The fact it was so hard-going and sort of a chore to get through was a problem. I just didn’t like it. However, for what it is - a collection of well thought out stories written by two boys for their own benefit (rather than with the intention of being published) - I found it all rather impressive. My lack of interest in the general topics and themes hugely skews my opinion.
Essentially, impressive for what it was, but not my thing.
(Initially opted not to rate it due to the nature of the entire thing (childhood writing product, likely not written with an audience in mind) but I changed my mind.)
_elisebeth's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really adorable read and my first Lewis book outside of Narnia! Brilliant work from one of my favourite authors.
hchristmas's review against another edition
4.0
A peak into my favorite author's childhood--not through a biography or even diaries, but through the fictional tales he would write with his brother. This reminded me so much of the stories I used to write when I was his age, however his are so much better. They are still written by an 8-year old, so expect some spelling errors. But the world-building is incredible for someone of his age. No wonder he grew up to be the author he became. I only hope I see these traits in my daughter!
annegirl's review
3.0
I have to admit I didn't read every word of this book. I skimmed over some stories and read some completely. It is so interesting to see the writing of CS Lewis as a child. He was obviously very bright!
omgbeckyann's review
2.0
i realize he started writing this story as a child but honestly the best i’ve got as far as a review is that it’s a story with characters and a plot. i didn’t particularly enjoy it, but it wasn’t the worst thing i’ve ever read. probably why it took me almost 2 years to finish once i’d started.
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