Bright Shadow of Reality: Spiritual Longing in C. S. Lewis

The writings of C. S. Lewis often stir in readers a profound sense of spiritual longing, a desire for joy lying beyond the offerings of this world. This special kind of longing, known to the Romantic tradition by the German word Sehnsucht, has been a recurrent theme in some of our most powerful works of literature. Bright Shadow of Reality, first published in 1974, remains the best available study of this idea of spiritual longing, especially as it functions as a key to understanding the writings of C. S. Lewis. Corbin Scott Carnell explores Lewis's life, theology, and literary legacy — looking in particular at his science fiction trilogy and Till We Have Faces — and evaluates Lewis's own reflection on the concept of Sehnsucht and its relation to the human quest for joy.

Corbin Scott Carnell, the author of numerous articles and essays on C. S. Lewis and his work, is professor of English at the University of Florida — Gainesville.