Light Mode

List of 15 authors like C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis is an author who has captured the imaginations of readers for generations. He wrote *The Chronicles of Narnia*, a series that takes you to a world filled with talking animals and epic battles between good and evil.

Beyond fantasy, he also wrote books that explore Christian faith in a clear and thoughtful way, like in *Mere Christianity*. If you appreciate his ability to blend adventure with deeper questions about life and belief, you might be curious about authors with a similar touch.

  1. 1
    J.R.R. Tolkien

    Readers who enjoy the imaginative worlds of C. S. Lewis may find J.R.R. Tolkien equally captivating. Tolkien was a close friend of Lewis and shared a similar talent for building vivid fantasy realms with deep moral themes.

    In “The Hobbit,” Tolkien introduces readers to the quaint hobbit Bilbo Baggins, whose comfortable life is shaken up by an unexpected adventure. Bilbo finds himself traveling with a company of dwarves to reclaim a lost treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug.

    The journey tests Bilbo’s courage and cleverness as he encounters elves, goblins, mysterious creatures, and a magical ring that changes everything.

    The book’s blend of humor, memorable characters, and thrilling adventure makes it a timeless classic that fans of Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia” will appreciate.

  2. 2
    George MacDonald

    If you enjoy the fantasy novels of C. S. Lewis, you might appreciate the imaginative stories of George MacDonald. MacDonald inspired Lewis greatly through his thoughtful blend of fantasy, adventure, and spiritual themes.

    In his book “Phantastes,” a young man named Anodos wakes up in a mysterious fairyland filled with strange encounters and surprising trials.

    He travels through enchanted forests, meets curious creatures, wrestles with temptation, and searches within himself for courage and wisdom.

    The story combines dream-like wonder with profound questions about growth and self-discovery, elements that would later influence Lewis’s own stories.

  3. 3
    Madeleine L’Engle

    Madeleine L’Engle was an author known for writing imaginative stories that explore faith, morality, and courage within powerful fantasy settings.

    Readers who enjoy C.S. Lewis’ thoughtful blend of spirituality and adventure will probably find themselves drawn to L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” In this book, Meg and her brother Charles Wallace set out on a journey through space and time to find their missing father.

    On faraway planets they meet fascinating but mysterious beings, and soon must confront a powerful darkness that can control minds and spread evil. With bravery and love, these children risk everything to fight against this darkness and reunite their family.

  4. 4
    G.K. Chesterton

    Readers who enjoy the thoughtful storytelling of C.S. Lewis will likely appreciate G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton was an English writer known for his sharp wit and imaginative insights into faith, morality, and human nature.

    One of his most beloved novels is “The Man Who Was Thursday.” It’s a clever mystery wrapped in dark humor, following Gabriel Syme, a poet turned undercover detective.

    Syme joins an anarchist group to investigate its leaders—but soon he’s pulled into an unexpected adventure full of disguised identities and philosophical twists. As the tension rises, reality itself seems to shift.

    Chesterton weaves profound ideas about good and evil into an exciting, surprising story that keeps readers guessing all the way through.

  5. 5
    Philip Pullman

    Readers who enjoy C. S. Lewis may want to explore Philip Pullman, another author known for crafting imaginative worlds filled with adventure and meaningful themes.

    In “The Golden Compass,” the first book in Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy, we meet Lyra Belacqua, a courageous girl living in a universe parallel to our own. Here each human has a daemon—an animal companion representing their innermost self.

    Lyra’s life takes an amazing turn when her friend disappears, and she embarks on an epic journey to the mysterious North to rescue him.

    Her adventure reveals a world where armored bears struggle with loyalty and courage, airships travel across magical skies, and hidden forces shape the fate of humanity itself.

    Philip Pullman’s storytelling mixes fantasy and deep thought about freedom, power, and the bonds that define us.

  6. 6
    Ursula K. Le Guin

    Readers who enjoy the imaginative worlds and thoughtful themes of C. S. Lewis might also appreciate Ursula K. Le Guin. She was a celebrated author known for her thought-provoking fantasy and science fiction novels.

    Her novel “A Wizard of Earthsea” introduces readers to Ged, a talented young wizard whose pride leads him to unleash a dangerous shadow. The story explores Ged’s journey through the vast archipelago of Earthsea as he struggles to confront and overcome the darkness he set free.

    Le Guin creates a richly detailed fantasy world filled with islands, magic, and dragons. Themes of self-discovery, balance, and responsibility echo throughout Ged’s adventures.

    Those captivated by the philosophical depth behind Lewis’s tales might find resonance in Le Guin’s storytelling style and themes.

  7. 7
    T.H. White

    Books by T.H. White offer imaginative storytelling and thoughtful narratives that readers of C.S. Lewis may appreciate. In “The Once and Future King,” White presents a fascinating retelling of the legend of King Arthur, rich with humor and depth.

    The book introduces a young Arthur, known as Wart, who is transformed into various animals by the magician, Merlyn. Through these magical adventures, he gains insight about life and leadership.

    White’s exploration of morality, power, and human nature resonates in a way that often brings to mind the reflective tales of Lewis.

  8. 8
    Kenneth Grahame

    Readers who enjoy the imaginative worlds created by C. S. Lewis may also appreciate Kenneth Grahame, a classic author known for his beloved book, “The Wind in the Willows.” This timeless story follows the delightful adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the excitable Mr. Toad.

    As they journey along quaint riversides and explore cozy, pastoral landscapes, the tale blends warmth and humor with genuine adventure and friendship.

    Grahame creates a charming story that balances the comforts of home with the urge to explore the wide world, themes that fans of Lewis’ stories often admire.

  9. 9
    Susan Cooper

    Susan Cooper writes fantasy novels that appeal to readers who love the imaginative worlds of C. S. Lewis. Her most popular work is “The Dark is Rising,” the second book of a five-part series filled with myth and magic.

    The story follows Will Stanton, a boy who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he belongs to an ancient group called the Old Ones. Will is drawn into an epic battle between forces of Dark and Light.

    He must recover powerful artifacts hidden around England to help push back the rising darkness. Cooper blends folklore and fantasy into a story that feels both cozy and epic, perfect for readers who enjoyed stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia.

  10. 10
    J.K. Rowling

    J.K. Rowling is an author best known for creating imaginative fantasy worlds filled with relatable characters and powerful themes, reminiscent of the style found in C.S. Lewis’s stories.

    Her novel “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” introduces Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers at age eleven that he is, in fact, a wizard.

    Soon after arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry befriends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, grows accustomed to magical studies, enchanted objects, and adventures behind hidden doors.

    As Harry adjusts to life in the magical world, he uncover secrets surrounding the Sorcerer’s Stone—a mysterious and powerful object hidden within the school walls—and faces a darkness determined to obtain it.

    Readers fond of Lewis’s rich storytelling and themes of friendship, bravery, and moral courage often find a similar charm and depth in Rowling’s captivating stories.

  11. 11
    Lloyd Alexander

    Readers who enjoy C. S. Lewis might find Lloyd Alexander equally captivating. Alexander is best known for “The Book of Three,” the first installment of his Chronicles of Prydain series. The story follows Taran, a young assistant pig-keeper, who dreams of heroics and adventure.

    When Hen Wen, a magical pig entrusted to his care, suddenly flees from their home, Taran’s simple life changes forever. He sets out on a quest filled with mysterious companions, dangerous challenges, and dark forces that threaten the peace of Prydain.

    Alexander’s blend of fantastical elements, vivid characters, and meaningful themes echoes the spirit of Lewis’s beloved tales, offering readers a richly imaginative world to explore.

  12. 12
    E. Nesbit

    Books by E. Nesbit offer a wonderful blend of fantasy, adventure, and childhood magic that readers of C. S. Lewis would appreciate. In “Five Children and It,” five siblings discover a grumpy yet fascinating creature called a Psammead.

    This curious sand fairy grants wishes that always turn out differently than expected, leading the children into amusing, unintended adventures.

    Nesbit creates a charming story filled with humor and subtle lessons about family, responsibility, and the surprising consequences of one’s desires.

    Fans of Lewis’s imaginative tales will find Nesbit’s stories equally enjoyable and warm in their portrayal of childhood wonder and discovery.

  13. 13
    Diana Wynne Jones

    Readers who enjoy the magical worlds and imaginative storytelling of C. S. Lewis may find Diana Wynne Jones equally delightful. Her novel “Howl’s Moving Castle” tells the story of Sophie, a young woman transformed into an old lady by a jealous witch.

    Determined to break the curse, Sophie seeks out the mysterious wizard Howl, owner of a castle that moves on its own. Filled with dynamic characters, playful magic, and adventures full of twists, the book offers an engaging mix of fantasy and humor.

    Diana Wynne Jones crafts her own whimsical, lively universe where readers easily lose themselves.

  14. 14
    Neil Gaiman

    Neil Gaiman is a storyteller known for blending fantasy, mythology, and a touch of the surreal into his novels. If you enjoy the imaginative worlds created by authors like C. S. Lewis, check out “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.”

    The novel begins when a man returns to his childhood home and recalls a mysterious girl named Lettie Hempstock. Together, they faced a strange creature that entered their neighborhood and threatened their lives.

    It’s a story about memory, growing up, and the thin line between reality and magic. Fans of C. S. Lewis’s ability to combine fantastic elements with deeper emotional truths will likely appreciate Gaiman’s approach.

  15. 15
    Patricia C. Wrede

    Patricia C. Wrede creates wonderful fantasy worlds filled with humor, adventure, and memorable characters. Readers who enjoy C. S. Lewis will find themselves at home in her book “Dealing with Dragons.”

    The story centers around Cimorene, a princess who doesn’t fit the mold of a typical fairytale heroine. She defies convention, leaves her castle, and volunteers to become a dragon’s princess instead.

    But her peaceful life soon runs into trouble when knights keep showing up to rescue her, wizards plot mysterious schemes, and dragons become entangled in politics and magic.

    The clever dialogues and twisting plots give the story an original and lively feel, offering readers lots of adventure within a charming fantasy world.