Review of 'Once Upon A Wardrobe' by Patti Callahan
Due out October 19, 2021!
Once Upon A Wardrobe is as divinely magical, mystical, mythical and mesmerizing as the works of C. S. Lewis. As we enter this amazing story, escorted by Patti Callahan, into a fictional space that takes us behind the veiled world of the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, we as readers become as privileged as Megs Devonshire to be invited into the home and heart of C. S. Lewis. But the wondrous revelations do not stop at the door for once hearing Jack’s life story, we get other glimpses of his masterpieces.
Of course, any story where Lewis is part of its fabric, will always include his best friends Tolkien and Williams. And rightfully so, as they were all members of The Inklings literary group, who gathered in a pub for creative sparring, editing and sharing of works and ideas. Keen C. S. Lewis fans will also know that George MacDonald’s novels caused such a ‘baptism’ of Jack’s imagination that it changed him forever. To see these wonderful elements of Jack’s history woven into Once Upon a Wardrobe adds even more weight to an already powerful framework.
Once Upon a Wardrobe sparkles with the same imagination as the C. S. Lewis classic and is just as inspiring, gripping, thoughtful and brilliant in its delivery of truth. This is a must read for those who love Jack’s stories but it will also make new converts of those who have not yet indulged in his works. For after reading Once Upon a Wardrobe, new readers will want to delve into The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, out of pure curiosity. For Patti paints such a vivid picture she sparks fresh interest in this man and his works.
It is a heart shaking story that centres on a young sick boy, George, and his math genius sister, Megs. We quickly learn that love for her brother drives her to great lengths to give him what he wants: an answer to a very important question: ‘Where did Narnia come from?’ The pathway they must follow to achieve a fulfilling answer sends them on a life-changing journey they will never forget: much like Narnia’s Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter.
George is a child of the heart. We could hug, hold, listen to and watch him forever. He has a special gift and a wisdom that astounds even Megs for he has been blessed with an understanding beyond his years. He possesses a depth of vision that is not of this world. This gift also serves another purpose. But knowing he has a terminal illness and that death looms on the horizon, breaks our hearts along with Meg's. She doesn’t want her beloved brother to die and she doesn’t want her chats with Jack to end. For one may affect the other. And as for George, although his spirit is strong, he does ponder one thought: is there a life beyond the wardrobe, beyond this earthly vale? He knows Narnia is a work of fiction but has learned from Jack that fiction can reflect a truth.
Which leads me to the next point: the power of stories. Once Upon a Wardrobe shows the creative process all artists must take. And Patti’s method is pure genius in showing how the imagination delivers truth – how an author’s collection of memories (both real and imagined) are sewn together to create fiction. Here fact is distilled, and spirit and soul (mind) meet, to create on such an elevated level, that it transports the reader to another realm. To a place where vision is sharpened to receive and reflect the divine. But it isn’t all about fantasy. This excursion stretches our hearts and prepares us for the real world. Like dipping our empty glass into a bubbling brook of spring water. We need to drink to renew our parched bodies. To gain strength to endure and to view with fresh eyes. Then like those in Narnia, we will feel the warmth of the fire and see the twirl of the smoke, as inspiration springs out of the flames into our hearts. For stories take us to a place of magic, where belief awakens and enchants – so that miracles can erupt from the winter of regrets and loss—allowing us to heal.
Patti’s story (like Jack’s) awakens in us the magic of wonder that sometimes gets lost in the happenings of life. But if we listen closely for the Lion’s voice, we can hear both his valiant roar and his gentle whispers: just like Jack and his Narnia characters, and Megs and George.
Can I praise this novel ever too much? Never. It is so beautiful there are no words great enough to express the emotion I felt and the inspiration I experienced. It was like stepping into Narnia all over again. I could feel the snow drifting down around me, the long warm fur coat draping across my legs, and a faun meeting a human for the first time.
There is no better moment than now to read such a book: especially since our world has been thrust into great darkness and loss. Much like Narnia—really. So even more we need stories of hope and magic. I am reminded of my son as a little boy. We would read the Narnia stories on the saddest and darkest of days. Days when bad things had happened. Aslan would always lift his spirit and put a smile back on his face. Mine, too, once we entered that enchanting realm of Narnia through Jack’s words. And when my daughter was born, she entered that same magical world. It had an effect on her creative abilities, too. For that is what magical stories do. They flow on and on—inspiring and elevating us.
Now I am telling my adult son and daughter to get a copy of Patti’s wonderful novel, for it contains that same magic of C. S. Lewis. In fact, I beg everyone to get this beautiful book because Once Upon a Wardrobe will quicken your dreams, set your heart on fire and help you believe again—if you’ve lost your way—and even if you haven’t and Narnia is a familiar domain for you—you will be happy its fairy-true charm has been passed on to other authors like Patti, today, for us to enjoy. Once Upon a Wardrobe is a fresh take on an age old magic. This book gets an infinity rating from me. For the stars cannot measure it. 5+ Stars.
Many thanks to HarperMuse and Netgalley for this breathtaking ARC to review. And to Patti Callahan and C. S. Lewis for reminding us we are never too old for fairy-tales.
Note: while I was reading Once Upon a Wardrobe, I thought about how much C. S. Lewis has inspired so many of us. In years past, I wrote various published poems: one to my son Lionheart (see below) and a few song lyrics that were inspired by The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and other Lewis works. One is called Beyond the Door (title song of the album) released in 2008 by the American rock band Leighton. For those who might like to hear it, I have posted the links below. Also, another song with my lyrics more directly on the faith of C.S. Lewis called All That We Have Ever Dreamed is now on IONA’s Anniversary boxset (link to hear).
Plus song Sweet Magic inspired by The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Narnia Chronicles) sung by UK’s Lisa Fury.
Links to song Beyond the Door by Leighton band on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, my Reverbnation Music page and below.
🦋
