Author Description

"This captivating exploration of C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe traces many of the literary allusions and echoes to be found beneath the Narnian snow, and will draw you deeper into the magic and meaning of this much-loved novel. Drawing on sources from Dante to The Wind in the Willows, and from medieval dream poetry to Dorothy L. Sayers, Jem Bloomfield identifies and explains numerous literary connections and themes underlying the adventures of the Pevensie children, and their encounters with Aslan, the White Witch and the fantastical inhabitants of Narnia. Paths in the Snow considers the importance of story, myth, imagination and belief in Lewis's personal life, the historical context in which this first book of the Chronicles of Narnia was written, and other crucial influences upon its creation. Bloomfield also offers fascinating insights to enhance your appreciation of the book: why the Pevensies are always shaking hands with each other; for example, and what a wartime recipe for whale meat fritters can tell us about Narnian food" --Back cover.